Zoe Lefkofridi: Putting Gender at the Centre of Internationalisation – News – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [null](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-11-Bta7Grvo.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-08-Bbt_UM7-.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-02-Dh7f4uYd.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/sv) - [ Upptäck ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance) - [ Vad är CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Vårt arbete ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Uppdrag, Vision & Värderingar ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Styrning & Ledning ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Vem är vem ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [Open Labs & Civic engagement ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Lär dig ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexibelt lärande ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Masterprogram ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Studera utomlands ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [Discover the projects led by our students in 2025-2026 ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026) [CIVIS Museum University Forum ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Undervisa ](https://civis.eu/sv/teach) - [ Projektutlysningar ](https://civis.eu/sv/teach/civis-calls) - [ Förnya din undervisning ](https://civis.eu/sv/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resurser för lärare ](https://civis.eu/sv/teach/resources-for-educators) [CIVIS BIPs: stor effekt och hög nöjdhet, enligt ny rapport ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds) [CIVIS-studenter spelar musik för demenspatienter och deras vårdare ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/musicians-from-all-over-civis-come-together-in-madrid-to-promote-inclusiveness) - [ Forska ](https://civis.eu/sv/research) - [ Samarbete inom forskning ](https://civis.eu/sv/research/research-collaboration) - [ Karriär, Nätverk & Mobilitet ](https://civis.eu/sv/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Material för forskare ](https://civis.eu/sv/research/resources-for-researchers) [CIVIS launches new job space for early-stage researchers across Europe and Africa ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/civis-launches-new-post-doc-doc-job-space-to-connect-early-stage-researchers-across-europe-and-africa) [Att möta samma utmaningar och skapa gemensamma lösningar för Afrika och Europa ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/facing-common-challenges-shaping-joint-solutions-for-africa-and-europe) - [ Knyt kontakt ](https://civis.eu/sv/connect) - [ Nyhetsbrev ](https://civis.eu/sv/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/sv/connect/civis-days) - [ Civilsamhället ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Kontakta oss ](https://civis.eu/sv/contact) - [ Pressrum & varumärke ](https://civis.eu/sv/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [CIVIS Student Ambassadors Take Centre Stage in Newsroom Pilot ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/civis-student-ambassadors-take-the-lead-inside-the-newsroom-pilot-project) [Att bygga allianser som fungerar: fem lärdomar från CIVIS-enheterna ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/building-an-alliance-that-works-five-lessons-from-the-civis-units) [ Berättelser ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom) sv - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) Menu - [Upptäck](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ Vad är CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Vårt arbete ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Uppdrag, Vision & Värderingar ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Styrning & Ledning ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Vem är vem ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Lär dig](https://civis.eu/sv/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexibelt lärande ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Masterprogram ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Studera utomlands ](https://civis.eu/sv/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Undervisa](https://civis.eu/sv/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Projektutlysningar ](https://civis.eu/sv/teach/civis-calls) - [ Förnya din undervisning ](https://civis.eu/sv/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resurser för lärare ](https://civis.eu/sv/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Forska](https://civis.eu/sv/research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Samarbete inom forskning ](https://civis.eu/sv/research/research-collaboration) - [ Karriär, Nätverk & Mobilitet ](https://civis.eu/sv/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Material för forskare ](https://civis.eu/sv/research/resources-for-researchers) - [Knyt kontakt](https://civis.eu/sv/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Nyhetsbrev ](https://civis.eu/sv/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/sv/connect/civis-days) - [ Civilsamhället ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Kontakta oss ](https://civis.eu/sv/contact) - [ Pressrum & varumärke ](https://civis.eu/sv/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Berättelser ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom) sv - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/zoe-lefkofridi) 1. [The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Zoe Lefkofridi: Putting Gender at the Centre of Internationalisation Zoe Lefkofridi: Putting Gender at the Centre of Internationalisation ====================================================================== People 13 augusti 2026 For Professor Zoe Lefkofridi, the first Gender Studies Professor in the Salzburg region, CIVIS represents far more than a University Alliance. It is a living network that connects students, researchers, and institutions across borders, creating opportunities for collaboration, mobility, and shared growth. Get to know her better through an interview by Minase Berhane Getachew, our student ambassador at the University of Salzburg. As a leading voice in democratic and gender studies research, Professor Zoe Lefkofridi has become one of the Alliance's most engaged advocates for international, interdisciplinary education. Her commitment to internationalisation is deeply personal. Having grown up and studied in Athens before continuing her academic journey abroad, the professor experienced firsthand how exposure to different cultures can broaden horizons and challenge assumptions. ![Professor Zoe Lefkofridi, University of Salzburg](https://civis.eu/storage/files/zoe-lefkofridi-1.jpg) > I have been very engaged in the internationalisation of my university from the very start. I have always believed in the use of language as a means to an end, and that same reason is why I have always been engaged in Erasmus activities, promoting internationalization and the use of English to disseminate knowledge. Professor Zoe Lefkofridi, University of Salzburg This belief naturally led her toward CIVIS. When she first learned about the alliance, she immediately recognised its potential to create long-term opportunities for everyone involved: *"I thought of CIVIS as a more permanent alliance that can be beneficial for both students and staff. The element of cultural exchange benefits everyone involved, bringing out diversity within".* Beyond her involvement in CIVIS, Professor Lefkofridi coordinates the consortium of the [PUSH\*BACK\*LASH (Horizon Europe)](https://pushbacklash.eu/) project and is member of the [ACTEU (Horizon Europe)](https://acteu.org/) project, where she also chairs the workpackage focusing on representation. She is also affiliated with the European Governance and Politics Programme of the *Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studie*s (RSCAS) of the European University Institute (EUI), in Florence. Having lived, studied, and worked across Europe, Professor Lefkofridi sees internationalisation as a powerful way to broaden perspectives. Through CIVIS, she has helped connect students and academics from diverse backgrounds, encouraging them to learn from one another while experiencing different educational systems, cultures, and ways of thinking. ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/zoe-lefkofridi2.jpg)Photo: Prof. Zoe Lefkofridi’s personal archive.For students, she sees CIVIS as a gateway to experiences that no single university can provide alone. The possibility of studying in multiple countries, encountering different teaching styles, and engaging with diverse communities allows students to develop both academically and personally. At the same time, educators gain access to an international ecosystem where expertise, ideas, and best practices can be exchanged across institutions. Spotlight: *Gender Studies Network* ----------------------------------- One of the strongest examples of Professor Lefkofridi's engagement within CIVIS has been her work in the Alliance's [Gender Studies Network](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/gender-in-the-spotlight-as-civis-network-launches-lecture-series). Through this collaboration, academics from across Europe came together to discuss the development of gender studies, share experiences, and identify ways to strengthen teaching and research in the field. The network later evolved into a webinar series through which universities across the alliance shared expertise on topics related to gender, diversity, and equality. For Professor Lefkofridi, such initiatives illustrate one of CIVIS' greatest strengths: its ability to transform individual efforts into collective action. Her contribution to CIVIS also extends to educational innovation. She participated in the development of the Blended Intensive Programme on [*Strategic Foresight and Polycrisis*](https://civis-agora.widening.eu/offering/141/2236), an interdisciplinary initiative designed to help students address complex societal challenges through critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Working on the strand dedicated to gender and fundamental rights, she helped create a learning environment where students could explore future scenarios while engaging with pressing social issues. When reflecting on what makes such educational programmes successful, she highlights two distinct elements: ![Professor Zoe Lefkofridi, University of Salzburg](https://civis.eu/storage/files/zoe-lefkofridi-1.jpg) > Having a vision on how to compose programmes helps us create something that transcends cultural and gender differences. Another success factor that is obvious, yet sometimes overlooked, is administrative support. An idea without the support of the administration is impossible to implement. Professor Zoe Lefkofridi, University of Salzburg A deeper understanding of diversity ----------------------------------- Beyond specific projects, Professor Lefkofridi views cultural exchange as one of the Alliance's most valuable contributions. *"When I take part in CIVIS, this is what I have in mind: shared experiences and growth as their direct effect".* For her, exposure to different perspectives encourages openness, empathy, and a deeper understanding of diversity. These qualities are increasingly important in a rapidly changing world, and CIVIS provides a framework in which they can flourish. At the heart of her vision lies a belief that collaboration is essential for addressing society's most complex challenges. Whether through research, teaching, or international partnerships, she advocates for bringing together people from different disciplines and backgrounds to create meaningful, lasting impact. ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/zoe-lefkofridi3.jpg)Photo: Prof. Zoe Lefkofridi’s personal archive.Looking ahead, she hopes to see even deeper interdisciplinary cooperation across the alliance, particularly in areas related to gender, democracy, and social inclusion. Her ambition reflects the broader CIVIS mission: building a European academic community that is connected, innovative, and responsive to the needs of society. ![Professor Zoe Lefkofridi, University of Salzburg](https://civis.eu/storage/files/zoe-lefkofridi-1.jpg) > I have always been a strong believer and advocate of the idea of European integration, and CIVIS, in my opinion, helps us reach that vision by facilitating exchange through both digital and physical presence. Professor Zoe Lefkofridi, University of Salzburg Asked to describe the alliance in just three words, Lefkofridi's answer perfectly captures both her own experience and the spirit of CIVIS: *"Future-oriented, diverse, and empowering."* These qualities have defined her work within the alliance and continue to inspire her efforts to create opportunities for students and researchers across Europe. Through her commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and international engagement, Professor Zoe Lefkofridi demonstrates how CIVIS can transform academic cooperation into a catalyst for personal growth, institutional development, and societal change. Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/doniamatine-comsunit-1-800x600.jpg?token=8afe84c6dfea761a679c921779af348b)Donia Matine, a Civizen at the Heart of CIVIS Projects and Collaborations in Brussels People 23 juli 2026 ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/donia-matine-a-civizen-at-the-heart-of-civis-projects-and-collaborations-in-brussels) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/nadia-fernandez-800x600.jpg?token=64dd8ac0052ba5640352ee8a1d369176)Nadia Fernández de Pinedo: A Civizen Building Change through Collaboration People 7 juli 2026 ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/nadia-fernandez-de-pinedo-a-civizen-building-change-through-collaboration) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/random-sizes-for-galleries-website-photos-1-800x600.jpg?token=77f645082e58cf18f4ff5b333c9bf163)CIVIS Student Ambassadors Take Centre Stage in Newsroom Pilot Communication and Dissemination 22 juni 2026 ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/civis-student-ambassadors-take-the-lead-inside-the-newsroom-pilot-project) [Upptäck alla våra berättelser](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom) [ A Boost for International Exchange and Cooperation During CIVIS Staff Training in Tübingen ](< https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/boost-international-exchange-cooperation-civis-staff-training-tubingen >) ![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). Neither can be held responsible for them. ### Personer - [ Studenter ](https://civis.eu/sv/i-am-a-student) - [ Lärare och forskare ](https://civis.eu/sv/i-am-an-academic-researcher) - [ Administratörer ](https://civis.eu/sv/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Civilsamhället ](https://civis.eu/sv/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Pressrum & varumärke ](https://civis.eu/sv/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Användbara länkar - [ Resurser ](https://civis.eu/sv/resources) - [ CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/sv/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ European Universities initiative ](https://civis.eu/sv/european-universities-initiative) - [ Tidigare evenemang ](https://civis.eu/sv/past-events) - [ Kontakt ](https://civis.eu/sv/contact) [Nyhetsbrev](https://civis.eu/sv/connect/newsletters) ### Social networks - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ) © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/sv/cookie-policy) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/sv/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search