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[Redacția CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Martin Knoll: a 'civizen' working to build bridges between science and society Martin Knoll: a 'civizen' working to build bridges between science and society ================================================================================ People 26 aprilie 2026 Do you know what a ‘[civizen](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-civizen)’ is? Our student ambassadors are on a mission to find them and share their stories with us all! In this edition, Minase Berhane Getachew, from the University of Salzburg, interviewed Professor Martin Knoll, a core member of CIVIS at the Austrian university whose contributions have led to the conceptualisation and implementation of programmes such as the [TRACEE Master’s](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/find-your-master-s-programme/master-s-programme-in-transdisciplinary-studies-of-climate-environment-and-energy), and others in development, like a microcredential and a Joint Bachelor’s in tourism. Meet a fellow ‘civizen’ today! ![Prof. Martin Knoll, University of Salzburg](https://civis.eu/storage/files/martin-knoll1.jpg) > For me, CIVIS is more than a single word. It is symbolic, and can be portrayed using three words: great, multifaceted and civic. My role involves embodying these three words and contributing to a shared hope. My responsibility isn’t just leading, but also acting as a bridge that ensures science and society are interconnected Prof. Martin Knoll, University of Salzburg This is how Martin Knoll, professor of European regional history, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Salzburg and a CIVIS coordinator within the university’s core team, starts his CIVIS story, which began even before the university of Salzburg became a member of the alliance, in 2022. It all started as soon as the European Commission launched a call for this initiative, recalls Professor Knoll. At Salzburg, he was part of a team that had long been working on the idea before officially joining CIVIS. *“For me, every form of participation is underpinned by its own logic, and* ***my drive to dedicate time to this programme emanated from a principle I hold dear to my heart: the idea of European integration*** *– and that principle extends beyond universities”.* Keeping the CIVIS engine rolling -------------------------------- Professor Knoll’s fascination with the internationalisation in higher education had always been there, but it was reignited after a speech given by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. *“He sketched a vision of a sovereign, united and democratic Europe, and he propagated the idea of creating a European university alliance. Ever since, we have kept the engine rolling to continue cultivating a communal synergy – keeping it intact, overcoming hurdles and celebrating our accomplishments”.* ![Prof. Martin Knoll, University of Salzburg](https://civis.eu/storage/files/martin-knoll1.jpg) > When I think of CIVIS and look back at our trajectory, one word keeps popping in my mind: complexity. And that complexity has two dimensions: one fascinating, one demanding. The cooperation within such a big alliance which has multiple partner universities with different backgrounds and cultures, is simply fascinating. That is one facet of the multi-dimensional word complexity Prof. Martin Knoll, University of Salzburg But beyond this challenge, other elements keep him motivated. *“We are constantly developing new programmes, ideas and forms of cooperation and coordination – ways of traversing and harmonizing different legal frameworks. That involves a lot of negotiation and communication and I believe that underscores the other element of the two-dimensional word: demanding”.* A tapestry of collaborative endeavors ------------------------------------- Professor Knoll follows a core principle when embarking on the development of new educational offers. And like an intricate pattern on a tapestry, “*I try to think outside the box and create offers that generate new student experiences”.* He is involved in several CIVIS programmes that are paving the way. In his own words: - My team and I contributed to the **design and development of TRACEE**, specifically within the second stream where the University of Salzburg played a pivotal role. What struck and still strikes me, is how many different stakeholders were involved in the development of this programme: scientists from various disciplines, professionals, teachers, and managerial bodies, both at the alliance and at the university level participated in the making. In this context, I am both an educator and a member of the local programme board. - I am also part of the preparatory group contributing in the **development of a joint BA in global tourism management**. This programme is being designed jointly with the lead of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and I am glad to see that we are proceeding well. My hope is to finally see it come to life. Within the same framework of tourism management, my colleagues and I have also created a **micro-credential which can be taken as a standalone and as part of the BA in tourism** that deals with the topic of circular and sustainable tourism. - In collaboration with the university of Tübingen, we have established **formats for the internationalisation of staff training.** - We were also involved in **paving the way for an inter-university campus**, addressing both the physical as well as the digital infrastructure necessary and the interoperability of these structures across our partner institutions. For my part, this digital campus model is a project I am committed to developing further. ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/martin-knoll-2.jpg)Martin Knoll and Peter Mayr, US.![]()The common trait of these endeavours? In all the developments, he says, *“we try to implement the element of thinking outside the box to create an experience that surpasses expectations and aims at creating better experiences”.* The challenges of breaking ground --------------------------------- The different layers of complexity emanating from the organisation of higher education on an international, national and university levels have not discouraged Professor Knoll and his fellow civizens. They have put communication at the centre of their work *“We had to do a lot of communication, I mean a lot! Most of our undertakings are new and that means the infrastructure for them simply did not exist yet. This means a lot of institutions and the national legal system had to accommodate some of our requirements”.* A lesson that came quickly was that looking for permanent solutions and at times, transient solutions/ bypasses, was quintessential for progression. ![Prof. Martin Knoll](https://civis.eu/storage/files/martin-knoll1.jpg) > We managed to achieve our progress by not only networking on the European level but also on a national level. Sharing experiences with other Austrian universities engaged in the alliance. Giving feedback to the ministry. That, for me, was how we overcame our shortcomings Prof. Martin Knoll The *why?* behind the work -------------------------- For Professor Knoll, the first “secret” ingredient that heavily contributed to the success of the programmes, and is continuing to do so, is the **joint scientific experience of various individuals**. The collective expertise that the different stakeholders bring to the table makes the Alliance work as an incubator, *“a think tank and that has allowed us to address these complex aspects by the merging of our expertise, thus creating strength”,* he says. Even though many of the programmes are still in the making and the fruit of the team’s labor cannot yet be harvested, welcoming the first cohort of TRACEE students in Salzburg is one of the moments that reminded him of why he signed up to being with: *“In an even earlier stage, receiving feedback from the first batch of students from Salzburg who moved abroad for a BIP made me think, yeah… this is exactly why I do this!”.* Multilingualism and cultural exchange ------------------------------------- Language acquisition is regarded by Professor Knoll as a fundamental element in building a unified academic structure, and for this reason it is actively supported through its inclusion in credited modules. For him, a way for students who are in the preparatory stages of moving abroad to experience multilingualism are the Language Café, an online programme designed to support the acquisition of a target language. Through frequent digital meet‑ups, students are able to practice regularly, strengthening their linguistic foundations and gaining confidence before relocation. *“I am a strong believer in inter-linked language centers at all the universities within the alliance because I believe this presents better ways of developing courses and structures hastening the learning process”,* says the academic. But to him nothing beats immersion in a new culture and language, one of the advantages of an alliance like CIVIS: *“Anyone who is trying to learn a language to choose a suitable method and fully immerse themselves, to get a feel for it, to understand the country they are moving to, and to know its culture better. Differences in culture always create new learning experiences and I can’t imagine any encounter, for staff or students, not turning into a learning experience. Going to a different university and learning how the frameworks are organized, and how different bodies function, for me, is an invaluable learning experience”.* Milestones and expectations --------------------------- Proud of the role that the University of Salzburg has played in the alliance, Professor Knoll highlights the remarkable achievements CIVIS has allowed for, be it in the organization of the highest number of Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) in Europe or the involvement in programmes such as TRACEE. ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/martin-knoll4.jpg)Map of Professor Martin Knoll's Journey, as created by Minase Berhane Getachew.![]()![Prof. Martin Knoll](https://civis.eu/storage/files/martin-knoll1.jpg) > My biggest wish is to see the many processes that we have started taking final form and becoming more sustainable, thus resulting in a lasting alliance. This of course is not an easy task. The complex problems of our times, various developments globally, financial restraints and so on and so forth will be challenges we would have to overcome to get there. That leads me simply, to the hope that we really create a sustainable and lasting alliance Prof. Martin Knoll Another aspiration is strengthening the role that CIVIS plays in civic engagement, which he considers critical priority for the collective focus. Scientists, he says, have the privilege of life long learning and remaining curious. *“Looking at the bigger picture, I am thankful to the CIVIS alliance for providing a space where this curiosity can thrive, and where together we can turn a shared vision into reality”.* --- *Interview conducted by CIVIS Student Ambassador Minase Berhane Getachew, University of Salzburg* Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/ernesto-civizen-story-sur-800x600.jpg?token=7112b258c644b8cd0e455ba6fa8e75be)Călătoria lui Ernesto în calitate de civizen: puntea de legătură dintre studenți și un proiect european mai amplu People 19 martie 2026 ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/ernesto-s-civis-journey-from-first-year-student-to-european-ambassador) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-coms-unit-bip-strategic-foresight2-800x600.jpg?token=063d174056736078a0b8834a436240c7)BIP-urile CIVIS: impact puternic și nivel ridicat de satisfacție, relevă un nou raport Study programmes 2 martie 2026 ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-coms-unit-civis-days-2025-3_2-800x600.jpg?token=ff9e09f8e00c72b9df2675b4e86af7bb)CIVIS Creathon 2025: Când studenții regândesc turismul Learn 23 februarie 2026 ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/civis-creathon-2025-cand-studen-ii-regandesc-turismul) [Descoperiți toate articolele noastre](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom) [ CIVIS launches new post-doc/ doc Job Space to connect early-stage researchers across Europe and Africa ](< https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/civis-launches-new-post-doc-doc-job-space-to-connect-early-stage-researchers-across-europe-and-africa >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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