Today, universities, research institutes and other organisations celebrate, for the first time, the European Doctoral Day . All around Europe more than 170 events are taking place to acknowledge the importance of doctoral education and the impact of doctoral graduates.
On this special occasion, the Coimbra Group (CG) is celebrating the 10th edition of its Three-Minute Thesis Competition, which showcases the research excellence and communication talent of doctoral candidates across our network.
Launched in 2017 by the Doctoral Studies Working Group, this annual competition is open to PhD candidates from any CG member university. Each participating university organises its own internal 3MT competition to select a local winner.
This year, 34 CG universities took part in an online vote to select their top three contestants from among the 26 local winners representing 16 countries. Following this process, three finalists have been selected.
Discover this year’s finalists
We are happy to announce the finalists of the 10th Coimbra Group 3MT edition:
- Corey Alwell, doctoral candidate in Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, with the presentation “Hunting for hunter-gatherers: stories from the oldest Irish DNA ever sequenced”
- Vicente Bru-García, doctoral candidate in Translation and Interpreting studies, University of Granada, with the presentation “Please, listen”
- Lokesh Jain, doctoral candidate in Numerical modelling, University of Edinburgh, with the presentation “Ice mélange: the cork in the glacial bottle”
Our warmest congratulations to all participants, and a special round of applause for our 2026 finalists!
The live-streamed final will take place at our Annual Conference and General Assembly hosted by the University of Granada, on Thursday 18 June, from 14:30 to 15:30 (CET), where a jury will select the winner. Corey, Vicente, Lokesh: see you in Granada!
Voices from 3MT Alumni
As we mark the European Doctoral Day and celebrate a milestone year for our competition, we are pleased to share highlights from the past nine 3MT winners in a short video.
They reflect on what participating in the 3MT competition meant to them, its impact on their careers, the challenge of presenting their thesis on stage, and the skills they have gained.
For further info about the Coimbra Group 3MT annual competition, please visit this page: Coimbra Group 3-Minute-Thesis competition | Coimbra.
Two years after becoming the first European university network to sign the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information, the Coimbra Group has joined the initiative’s Steering Group. It will be represented on this body by the Vice-Chair of its Executive Board, Professor Beatrix Busse (University of Cologne), as main representative, and Executive Board member, Professor Nicoleta Popa (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași), as alternate representative, both members of the Coimbra Group Executive Board.
Since its launch in 2024, the Barcelona Declaration has gathered significant momentum, bringing together an expanding community of universities, research organisations, funders, governments and other key actors around a shared agenda. The initiative has put effective governance and working structures in place. It has convened successful high‑level events, resulting in the adoption of a clear roadmap. At the same time, it is expanding its reach beyond Europe and strengthening alignment with related initiatives.
Several Coimbra Group member universities are signatories to the Declaration and actively contribute to its working groups. The Coimbra Group Brussels Office also participates in the working group on sustaining infrastructures. Through its involvement in the Steering Group, the Coimbra Group seeks to step up its engagement in the next phase of the Declaration, with a focus on driving system‑level and behavioural change in open research information practices.
“We approach this responsibility with both conviction and a realistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead. Drawing on the Coimbra Group’s long‑standing engagement with the university sector and with policymakers, we are keen to help guide the Barcelona Declaration through its next phase. Working alongside fellow members of the Steering Group, our ambition is to help translate our shared principles into structural and cultural change. This ambition speaks directly to the expectations of the Declaration signatories. Recent global developments only reinforce the urgency and significance of the transition towards a more open, transparent and responsible research information landscape” say Beatrix Busse and Nicoleta Popa.
To know more about the Barcelona Declaration: https://barcelona-declaration.org/.
Organisations that wish to sign the Barcelona Declaration are welcome to reach out to contact@barcelona-declaration.org.
Emmanuelle Gardan, Coimbra Group Brussels Office Director
As competitiveness, security and strategic autonomy increasingly dominate Europe’s political agenda, doctoral education rarely makes headlines. Yet it is decisive for all three. The launch of the first European Doctoral Day next month, on 13 May, offers a timely opportunity to shift this trend and give doctoral education the public attention it deserves. It should also prompt a straightforward question: is Europe investing in doctoral talent at a level that matches its ambitions?
Today’s doctoral researchers will become tomorrow’s academic, industrial, business and public sector leaders. They will drive the green and digital transitions, discover new therapies and medicines, strengthen Europe’s technological leadership, educate future generations and translate knowledge into societal impact. Doctoral training may operate largely out of the public spotlight, but it quietly shapes Europe’s long-term capacity to innovate, adapt and lead future transformations. Engaging wider society in a discussion on doctoral education is therefore not merely symbolic. It is a strategic priority.
This has long been clear to the Coimbra Group. For research‑ and education‑intensive universities such as those that make up our network, doctoral studies are a core institutional mission and one of the most meaningful contributions universities make to societal development. Since 2007, we have consistently emphasised that doctoral education is a cornerstone linking the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area. It is neither a short‑term labour‑market instrument nor an add‑on to higher education. Rather, it is the space where research excellence, intellectual independence, critical thinking and academic integrity are formed.
Our dynamic Doctoral Studies Working Group actively supports practical exchange and cooperation among our members while tackling the main challenges facing doctoral education today. Its work focuses on improving the quality and recognition of doctoral supervision, strengthening doctoral researchers’ research communication skills, encouraging inter‑ and trans‑disciplinary doctoral research and accompanying early research careers within and beyond academia. But also on keeping a close eye and proactively reflecting on new developments shaping doctoral education and research cultures across Europe.
This commitment is also reflected in widely supported initiatives such as the Coimbra Group Three Minute Thesis Competition, now in its tenth edition. By highlighting the excellence of doctoral research while developing key transversal skills, such as clear communication and engagement with non-academic audiences, the competition shows how doctoral education equips researchers not only to advance knowledge, but also to share it meaningfully with society.
Our approach to doctoral talent goes hand in hand with our strong support for the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions (MSCA), which mark their 30th anniversary this year. For three decades, the MSCA have played a key role in European research careers, offering open and high‑quality opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral training and research across borders. As political negotiations on FP10 moves ahead, it is vital to secure sufficient funding for the MSCA and to protect what makes them work: their bottom-up researcher-driven approach. Above all, investing in the MSCA means investing in people, the most reliable foundation for Europe’s long‑term strength, resilience and global competitiveness.
European Doctoral Day should therefore not be an isolated initiative, but part of a sustained and collective commitment to doctoral education as a strategic priority for Europe’s future.
On 20 April 2026, the Coimbra group co-organised the event “R&I in the next EU budget: investing in Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness” under the auspices of MEP Carla Tavares, co-rapporteur on the next Multi Financial Framework 2028 – 2034 (MFF), gathering 50 participants on site and around 180 participants online.
MEP Carla Tavares opened the meeting, explaining the key priorities for the rapporteurs in relation the next MFF, the main issues raised during the discussion among the European Parliament and the other EU Institutions, and the MFF timeline. Then Manuel Heitor, Professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon), former Chair and lead author of Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe, took the floor and presented what makes investment in FP10 financially strategic for Europe.
The panel discussion, moderated by YERUN Secretary General Silvia Gómez Recio, brought together Lina Galvez (member of the European Parliament, shadow rapporteur FP10 Regulation), Bertrand Bouchet (CEA Representative in Brussels), Magnus Madfors (Vice President, Head of Standard & Industry Initiatives Europe & Africa Group Function Technology, Ericsson). As representative from the university sector, Professor Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board of our CG member Leiden University, highlighted that predictability is a key condition for ambitious programmes like FP10. It is key to have a good balance for building strong research and innovation ecosystems, at all stages of R&I, from knowledge creation to innovation uptake and scale-up. FP10 creates something that no national programme can do alone: create European scale, connectivity and leverage. A strong FP10 with robust funding is not a sectorial request from universities: it is essential for whole Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, preparedness, health and the green and digital transitions.
In their closing remarks, two members of the European Parliament, shared their views on the relevance of FP10 in the present policy context, and the need for investments in R&I. MEP René Repasi (ITRE Member, rapporteur for Specific Programme implementing the FP10) confirmed that FP10 is an enabler for many other policy priorities, but he is well aware of possible cuttings by the Council to the €220 billion budget, proposed by the Parliament. He also remembered the need for national and EU funding: Europe R&I needs both, and that researchers must be central in the design of FP10 to trigger cooperation (a clear hint to the proposed sectorial plans at EU level). MEP Hélder Sousa Silva (BUDG Member, rapporteur for the budgetary assessment of the next FP10) confirmed that FP10 is a flagship programme for the EU, an important enabler for R&I investments. He wants to ensure that FP10 decommitments will stay in the same programme, and that budget flexibility is balanced by predictability in allocation.
The event builds on the results of the Research Matters campaign, and it is a starting point for further exchanges with the Parliament and other stakeholders. The co-organisers with Coimbra Group were CESAER, the Guild, LERU and YERUN, with the collaboration of AURORA, ECIU, EUA, EURASHE, Eurotech, UAS4Europe, UNICA. You can find further insights on the discussion on R&I investments in this article by Science|Business.
The 13 May will be the first European Doctoral Day, a pan-European celebration of doctoral education and the impact of doctoral graduates. The initiative aims to inspire future researchers, raise awareness among employers, and showcase the diverse and vital contributions doctoral graduates make to society.
All around Europe, more than 170 events will take place, including photography contests, workshops, roundtable discussions, seminars, podcasts and much more. The events are open to professionals, doctoral graduates, doctoral researchers, students, university staff and the wider public. Nine Coimbra Group universities and the Arqus Alliance, to which several CG members take part, are organising events on site, online and hybrid. Here the list of their events:
- Research Careers Campus, University of Graz: “How to start failing upwards: Practical advice for doctoral researchers to overcome setbacks” (held in person, more info here)
- University of Coimbra: “European Doctoral Day 2026 at University of Coimbra – Being a PhD Student at UC: Support, Pathways and Impact” (hybrid, more info here), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra: “PhD in Pharmacology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra: Career Paths and Impact | European Doctoral Day 2026” (held in person, more info here), Institute for Legal Research, University of Coimbra: “European Doctoral Day 2026 at University of Coimbra Institute for Legal Research” (held in person, more info here)
- University of Würzburg: “European Doctoral Day, University of Würzburg” (hybrid, more info here)
- University of Turku “European Doctoral Day 2026 at the University of Turku” (held in person, more info here)
- Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi: “Sharing the PhD table – Life lessons storytelling” (hybrid, more info here), “PhD skills puzzle” (online, more info here)
- PhD Students Association, Jagiellonian University: “European Doctoral Day 2026 at Jagiellonian University” (hybrid, more info here)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena: “Start your research career at Friedrich Schiller University Jena” (online, more info here), “Women in academia – Evening discussion” (held in person, more info here)
- Trinity College Dublin Students Union: “European Doctoral Day Panel at Trinity College Dublin” (hybrid, more info here), Trinity College Dublin: “Better together: Amplifying doctoral research and innovation through collaboration” (held in person, more info here)
- University of Cologne: “European Doctoral Day 2026 – A talk on the ways you can realize a research stay abroad” (online, more info here)
- Arqus European University Alliance: “Shaping tomorrow’s talent: How European excellence programmes and European Universities Alliances can transform doctoral selection and HR policy – The example of the ArchiFun project” (hybrid, more info here), “The challenge of mobility in the development of doctoral journeys” (online, more info here)
You can find further info and an overview of all events in Europe on the dedicated website European Doctoral Day.
Organised by the SSH WG, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Global and the Trinity Long Room Hub, the event ‘Designing a new Framework Programme: The role of the research community’ was opened with a speech by Gabi Lombardo, Director of the European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities (EASSH). She presented the current state of play of the negotiations on the next Horizon Europe Framework Programme (2028-2034), and what is at stake for the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) community. SSH researchers should speak together and advocate that the ‘Society’ part under pillar II in FP10 is dedicated to research on society. EASSH proposed five thematic areas for SSH research (Democracy, Education, Europe in the 2040 world, Culture and Knowledge, Healthy and productive societies). Key advocacy points for FP10 include:
- Keeping FP10 independent
- European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) must also be independent and get sufficient funding
- Culture and Art research must also be part of the picture, as well as education research
- SSH are strategic enablers, with a transversal role
- Interdisciplinary and SSH integration across all policy windows
- SSH experts must take part more to evaluation committees, and be part of the design phase
A panel discussion, moderated by Patrick Geoghegan, Professor in History and Director of Trinity Long Room Hub (Trinity College Dublin), followed the speech. The panellists were Ilaria Poggiolini, Professor of International History and Chair of the Coimbra SSH Working Group (University of Pavia), Pekka Räsänen, Professor of Economic Sociology (University of Turku), Maureen Burgess, Research Programme Officer, Trinity Long Room Hub, and Dr Gráinne Walshe, Assistant Director at Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland. The panellists explored the problems of fragmentation in the SSH, SSH contribution to societal threats, AI and SSH, relevance of the human dimension beyond technological applications, and the participation of SSH in shaping the design of funding tools. It was also highlighted that SSH play an important role in the protection of the values of our society (even when younger generations do not refer to “values” but to other concepts), in fighting disinformation (concept of truth, reference to knowledge sources), and to encourage the development of critical thinking.
You can find further details on the Trinity College Website and listen to the audio of Gabi Lombardo’s speech.
From 22 to 25 April 2026, the Université libre de Bruxelles hosted the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) Annual Conference, with the central theme “Research careers beyond borders: 30 years of the MSCA”. The event brought together the MSCA community to celebrate three decades of success, exchange experiences, and reflect on the future evolution of MSCA in the next Framework Programme and on the future of research careers more broadly.
Opening the conference, Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva praised the central role of MSCA in shaping the European research landscape, describing it as “the flagship of the European way of doing research”. She stressed that MSCA has set standards and serves as an example of openness, excellence, and international collaboration. She highlighted the programme’s proven impact on researchers’ careers, including strong employability among beneficiaries. Over the past 30 years, MSCA has supported a remarkable number of research champions, including 23 Nobel Prize winners.
Looking ahead, she acknowledged that more needs to be done. In this context, she presented the Commission’s plan to propose a European Research Area (ERA) Act as a highly ambitious legislative initiative aimed at establishing the “Fifth Freedom”. The ERA Act would be structured around four main pillars: research careers (including the possible development of a voluntary European research contract model); investment in research and innovation; improved coordination; and core values. While acknowledging that the ERA Act will not solve all expectations, the Commissioner insisted on the importance of setting voluntary “gold standards” to provide researchers with greater security, predictability, career prospects, and a values-based working environment. Throughout the discussions, the MSCA programme was repeatedly recognised for its unique, researcher-centred and bottom-up approach.
Emmanuelle Gardan, Director of the Coimbra Group Brussels Office and co-sponsor of the ERA structural policy on research careers, participated as a panellist in the session “Research careers within and beyond the ERA Act: delivering the Fifth Freedom” chaired by MCAA Executive Director Mostafa Moonir Shawrav. She expressed the Coimbra Group’s support for the renewed momentum around research careers and for the ambition demonstrated by the Commission with the ERA Act, while stressing, alongside other panellists, the need to move from ambition to tangible implementation, notably by addressing key issues such as the much-criticised ‘permadoc’ phenomenon.
The Coimbra Group was also represented by Policy and Advocacy Officer Stefania Parnici who networked with participants and attended several sessions. Additional themes addressed throughout the conference included freedom of scientific research, science diplomacy, doctoral training, mental health in academia, responsible artificial intelligence, and global talent circulation, making for forward-looking discussions on the future of European research and innovation.
You can consult the full conference agenda here, and watch the sessions recordings on the MCAA Annual Conference 2026 Youtube channel
University of Pavia, 22 – 26 June 2026
The Coimbra Group Global Partnerships Working Group, in collaboration with the Department of Humanities of the University of Pavia, is pleased to announce the upcoming International Coimbra Group Summer School on European Multilingualism, which will take place from 22 to 26 June 2026 in Pavia, Italy.
Hosted by one of Europe’s oldest universities, the University of Pavia – founded in 1361 and rooted in a long academic tradition dating back to 825 – the Summer School will bring together students, academics and staff from across Coimbra Group member universities and beyond. Located in a historic and vibrant town in the Lombardy region, Pavia offers an inspiring setting for academic exchange and intercultural dialogue.
This intensive short programme (Blended Intensive Programme – BIP) will focus on European multilingualism and cultural mediation, aiming to promote innovative approaches to language teaching and learning. The initiative is supported by the Erasmus+ KA131 programme and benefits from the expertise of lecturers from several Coimbra Group universities, including Graz, Coimbra, Vilnius, Poitiers, Salamanca, Leeds, Geneva, Jena, and Pavia.
Participants will engage in a dynamic academic programme combining translation and language practice in small tandem groups, covering a range of European languages such as French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish. In addition, the Summer School will highlight the importance of linguistic diversity through dedicated workshops on Less Widely Used and Lesser Taught Languages (LWULT), as well as a critical language workshop. Beyond the academic component, the Summer School offers a rich cultural programme.
The programme is open to Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students, as well as administrative staff from Coimbra Group universities and participants from other higher education institutions with an interest in languages, cultural studies and the humanities. Upon completion, participants will be awarded 3 ECTS credits.
Applications will be open until 15 May 2026.
More information on the programme, eligibility criteria, and application process is available here.
Statement by the Coimbra Group Executive Board
The Coimbra Group reaffirms its unwavering commitment to academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the rule of law as non-negotiable foundations of democratic societies. As a network of universities whose members are signatories of the Magna Charta Universitatum, we recall that “intellectual and moral autonomy is the hallmark of any university and a precondition for the fulfilment of its responsibilities to society” and that this “independence needs to be recognised and protected by governments and society at large, and defended vigorously by institutions themselves.”
In this context, the Coimbra Group expresses deep concern over recent developments at the University of Belgrade. We stand in full and unequivocal solidarity with its leadership, particularly its Rector, Prof. Vladan Đokić, with Prof Danijel Sinani, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, as well as with other faculty members, students and the wider university community, as they are facing escalating pressure.
Recent reports of police raids on university premises, the use of force against peaceful gatherings, and the arrest of students in their homes for exercising their fundamental rights, point to a worrying escalation. These events follow sustained student mobilisation for accountability and transparency and raise serious concerns about respect for civil liberties and the autonomy of higher education institutions.
Academic freedom is not an abstract principle. It is a cornerstone of democratic societies, enabling universities to foster critical inquiry, advance knowledge, and contribute to evidence-based policymaking and public accountability. Any attempt to intimidate or restrict students and university staff anywhere in the world undermines not only institutional autonomy, but also the democratic fabric of society.
The Coimbra Group therefore calls on the Serbian authorities to fully respect the fundamental human rights and safety of all students and staff and refrain from any interference in the governance autonomy and integrity of higher education institutions without exception.
We also call on the European institutions, member states governments, and the international academic community to monitor the situation closely and stand in solidarity with, and provide support to, those affected.
The members of the Executive Board:
Ludovic Thilly (University of Poitiers), Chair
Beatrix Busse (University of Cologne), Vice-Chair
Daniel Donoghue (Durham University), Treasurer
Antonella Forlino (University of Pavia)
Dorota Malec (Jagiellonian University in Kraków)
Coco Norén (Uppsala University)
Nicoleta Laura Popa (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași)
João Ramalho-Santos (University of Coimbra)
Efrem Yildiz Sadak (University of Salamanca)
The Coimbra Group was invited by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) to take part in the European Universities Alliances Coordinators’ Working Retreat, held in Brussels on 14 April 2026. The event focused on the future of the European Universities initiative beyond 2027, in the context of upcoming negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The network was represented by Brussels Office Director, Emmanuelle Gardan.
The full-day strategic gathering brought together coordinators from the 65 European Universities Alliances funded under Erasmus+ and the eight consortia holding a Seal of Excellence. Participants also included FOREU4ALL, European university networks, National Erasmus + Agencies, the EACEA, and representatives from several Directorates-Generals of the European Commission.
The invitation reflects the strong engagement of the Coimbra Group and its member universities in the European Universities initiative. Coimbra Group members are currently involved in eight Alliances and one Seal of Excellence. Their experience positions our network as a key contributor to shaping the next phase of the initiative.
European Universities Alliances at a turning point
Opening the retreat, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, Director-General of DG EAC, emphasised that European Universities Alliances have profoundly changed how universities operate, and cooperate, in Europe, since the initiative was launched in 2019. She highlighted major achievements in pedagogical innovation, institutional cooperation, academic careers and mindset change, noting that Alliances have helped push boundaries and lay the foundations for a more integrated European Higher Education and Research Area.
In a rapidly evolving geopolitical context, she highlighted the increasingly important role of Alliances in strengthening Europe’s attractiveness as a destination of choice for learning, research and innovation. She also stressed their contribution to territorial cohesion and to anchoring universities more firmly within their local innovation ecosystems. She identified the diversity of Alliances’ profiles and thematic focus as one of their key strengths.
Looking ahead, DG Ahrenkilde Hansen reaffirmed that Erasmus+ will remain the main EU funding instrument supporting European Universities Alliances, while new funding approaches and complementary instruments are still being explored as part of a broader “investment pathway” to sustain long‑term ambitions.
Shaping future funding models under Erasmus+
A central focus of the retreat was the future funding framework for European Universities Alliances within Erasmus+ for the period 2028-2034. Discussions confirmed that the current model is likely to evolve significantly to better reflect the depth and specific features of institutional cooperation developed by Alliances.
Among the options explored during the brainstorming session were:
- Longer funding cycles, potentially up to seven years, combined with periodic evaluations.
- Changes to the current funding model, potentially moving away from budgeting mechanisms primarily linked to the number of partner institutions, towards models that could potentially combine core funding with performance-based top ups (variable geometry), or potentially even fully performance based funding.
Participants highlighted the challenge of avoiding overly quantitative indicators, while better capturing institutional transformation and simplifying evaluation processes. Overall, discussions converged on the need to balance predictability and flexibility, ensuring that alliances can plan long-term transformation while remaining accountable for results and impact.
Key policy themes addressed
The programme combined plenary debates with seven working sessions dedicated to topics shaping the next programming period:
The funding model for Alliances under Erasmus+ 2028-2034
- Funding models for Alliances under Erasmus+ 2028-2034
- Mobility, with a focus on quality and depth of learning experiences rather than numbers alone
- The international dimension of Alliances
- Alliances’ role in strategic sectors for EU competitiveness
- Alliances’ role for completing the European Research Area
- Performance monitoring and how it can best capture institutional transformation
- Optimisation and streamlining of reporting and reviewing processes
From pioneers to role models
The retreat highlighted European Universities Alliances have moved from a pilot phase to becoming mature structures with distinct profiles.
In her keynote address, Coimbra Group’s Executive Board Vice-Chair Beatrix Busse, speaking on behalf of FOREU4ALL, underlined the broader political value of European Universities Alliances as trusted partners for Europe’s future. She stressed that Alliances demonstrate that “universities are not afraid to tackle complex societal, scientific and geopolitical challenges, acting with resonance, and grounded in European values”.
She highlighted Alliances as ecosystems that are more than the sum of their parts: sharing infrastructures, developing common strategic research and innovation agendas, advancing science diplomacy, testing flexible academic careers, strengthening humanities and social sciences, and promoting transdisciplinary approaches to AI, upskilling and reskilling. Noting the high return on investment already achieved with limited resources, she called for a simplified, long-term and holistic funding approach. “Use us, trust us,” she concluded, inviting the Commission to shape the investment pathway together with European Universities Alliances.
The concluding panel underlined that Alliances now increasingly serve as role models for the wider higher education sector. Rather than creating a rigid divide between universities inside and outside Alliances, participants stressed the importance of viewing European Universities as part of the broader spectrum of European and international cooperation – offering inspiration and transferable lessons rather than fixed templates.
All presentations delivered during the retreat are available on the Coimbra Group members’ intranet.
Next Steps
Policy discussions on the future of European Universities Alliances will continue in the coming months, in parallel with negotiations on the next MFF. DG EAC has announced a meeting in Brussels of the rectors of higher education institutions participating in the European Universities Initiative in June 2026, as well as additional exchanges expected in the autumn.
The Coimbra Group will emain actively engaged in these debates, advocating for a strong and ambitious Erasmus+ programme and innovative funding models that allow European Universities Alliances to realise their full potential across all university missions.
The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU will organise the 4th European Universities Initiative Forum at Maynooth University on 9-10 July 2026, where Emmanuelle Gardan, representing the Coimbra Group, will speak on the panel “Breaking Down the Silos: Education, Research, and Innovation.”
Equality and Diversity Working Group
Thursday, 16 April 2026, 16:00-18:00 CET
We warmly invite you to attend this webinar presenting the newly published and timely collective volume Why EDI Matters: Equ(al)ity, Diversity and Inclusion in European Universities, developed in the recent months by the Equality & Diversity Working Group of the Coimbra Group.
Join the co-editors and selected chapter authors for this two-hour event as they explore the volume’s main themes: sustainable futures, injustice, institutional structures. Each section will be followed by a Q&A session, giving you the chance to engage and participate in the discussion.
Register here to receive the connection link.
Agenda
Welcome
Emmanuelle Gardan, Director of the Brussels Office of the Coimbra Group
Introduction and Section I: Making Sustainable Futures: Education, Research, Social Justice
Professor Annalisa Oboe, University of Padua, co-editor of the volume
Presentation of selected chapters
– Núria Ferran-Ferrer, Miquel Centelles: From Silence to Spotlight: Towards Epistemic Justice in Women’s Digital Representation in the Age of Digital Humanities and Artificial Intelligence (University of Barcelona)
– Elisa Gamba: EDI, Care and Social Justice: Welcoming Refugees and Students at Risk at the University of Padua (University of Padua)
Q&A
Section II: Addressing Injustice: Invisibility, Discrimination, Violence
Professor Helena Wahlström Henriksson, Uppsala University, co-editor of the volume
Presentation of selected chapters
– Arno Schrooyen, Lisa Schivalocchi: The Student Movement in Europe: A New Strategy for Inclusion (European Student Union)
– Cristina Demaria, Cristina Gamberi: Theories, Policies and Practices: EDI and the Role of Higher Education in Countering Gender-Based Violence (University of Bologna)
Q&A
Section III: Changing Institutional Structures: Policies, Practices, Care
Associate Professor Vera Sokolová, Charles University, co-editor of the volume
Presentation of selected chapters
– Christiane Schwieren: Why EDI Matters: Insights from Research and University Equal Opportunity Practices (Heidelberg University)
– Věra Sokolová, Iveta Bayerová: Transforming Charles University into a Caring Institution: The Impact of EDI in a Post-Socialist Context (Charles University)
Q&A
Closing remarks
For further information, please contact Iveta Bayerová.
Social Sciences and Humanities Working Group
14 April 2026, 16:00-18:00
Trinity College Dublin, Neill Theatre, Trinity Long Room Hub
The event is organised jointly by the Social Sciences and Humanities Working Group of the Coimbra Group, Trinity Global and the Trinity Long Room Hub.
Summary
As negotiations for the next Horizon Europe Framework Programme (2028-2034) proceed, the EU must broaden its research priorities beyond economic output and tech-driven competitiveness to include the social dimension of progress. A more inclusive and sustainable research strategy is necessary to address the complex challenges that Europe faces and to secure its social model and global competitiveness.
This workshop will explore the debate around the contribution of the research community of social sciences and humanities into the design of European funding – to align EU research with citizen needs and democratic values, and better inform public policies and drive economic growth.
Draft Programme
16:00-16:45 Keynote speech by Gabi Lombardo, Director of the European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities (EASSH)
16:45-17:00 Q&A
17:00-17:45 Panel Discussion moderated by Patrik Geoghegan – Professor in History and Director of Trinity Long Room Hub (Trinity College Dublin)
- Professor Ilaria Poggiolini – Professor of International History and Chair of the Coimbra SSH Working Group (University of Pavia)
- Professor Pekka Räsänen – Professor of Economic Sociology (University of Turku)
- Maureen Burgess – Research Programme Officer, Trinity Long Room Hub, (Trinity College)
- Gráinne Walshe – Assistant Director at Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland
17:45-18:00 Q&A and conclusions
Keynote: Gabi Lombardo (PhD LSE), is Director of the European Alliance for SSH one of the largest advocacy and science policy organizations in Europe. EASSH advocates for an evidence-based approach to policy-making, and researchers’ inclusion in funding design. High-level experience in science policy research and implementation working in international organisations like London School of Economics, European Research Council and Science Europe. She is a member of the CoARA Steering Board and other organisations’ steering boards. She’s an evaluator for the EU, World Bank, and COST. Gabi received the Young Academy of Europe Prize in 2018.
We are pleased to invite you to follow online the high-level event, “R&I in the next EU budget: investing in Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness”, hosted on Monday 20 April, from 11.00 to 12.30 (CEST), at the European Parliament in Brussels, under the auspices of MEP Carla Tavares (BUDG Committee), co-rapporteur on the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
This event will place research and innovation at the centre of the discussion on Europe’s future priorities and investments. It will move beyond a narrow budgetary debate about what can be preserved, and instead address a more strategic question: what must Europe invest if it is serious about delivering on its ambitions?
In this context, the event will make the case that €220 billion for FP10 is a credible and politically coherent baseline for a Union seeking to strengthen its competitiveness, prosperity and resilience. The discussion will underline that research and innovation are not a policy silo, but a foundational capability that supports progress across Europe’s key priorities. A strong FP10 is therefore about far more than research policy alone. It is about Europe’s ability to drive economic strength, industrial renewal, security, preparedness, sustainability, public health, digital leadership and societal well-being.
Following opening remarks by MEP Tavares and a keynote address by Prof. Manuel Heitor, the event will feature a hight-level panel with representatives from the Parliament, universities – including the President of the Executive Board of our member Leiden University, Prof. Luc Sels – and other stakeholders. The panel will address why FP10 matters for Europe’s competitiveness, prosperity and resilience and the need for stronger financial commitments. The meeting will conclude with closing remarks by MEP René Repasi (ITRE Committee), rapporteur for the specific programme for the implementation of FP10.
Please note that attendance at the European Parliament is by invitation only. However, we would warmly welcome you to join the meeting online using the following link.
This event is co-organised by the Coimbra Group in collaboration with its close partners within the informal group of university associations (including CESAER, EUA, The Guild, LERU and YERUN). It contributes to the Research Matters Campaign launched in 2024 to increase Europe’s funding in R&I.
Indicative programme:
11:00 -11:15 | Welcome and opening
- Carla Tavares, Member of European Parliament, co-rapporteur on the next MFF
11:15 -11:30 | Keynote address: why Europe’s future depends on stronger investment in research and innovation
- Manuel Heitor, Chair of European Commission expert group on the future of Horizon Europe
11:30 – 12:15 High-level panel discussion: why FP10 matters for Europe’s competitiveness, prosperity and resilience
- Bertrand Bouchet, CEA Representative in Brussels; CEA is a member of European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO)
- Lina Galvez, Member of the European Parliament
- Magnus Madfors, Vice President, Head of Standard & Industry Initiatives Europe & Africa Group Function Technology, Ericsson
- Luc Sels, President of Leiden University
- Carla Tavares, Member of European Parliament, co-rapporteur on the next MFF
Moderator: Silvia Gómez Recio, Secretary General, YERUN
12:15 – 12:30 Closing
- René Repasi, Member of European Parliament
Peter Riedler, Rector, University of Graz
Universities have always been places where society reflects on its future. Today, that responsibility is more urgent than ever. Climate change and sustainability are no longer topics at the margins of academic life; they are central to how we teach, how we conduct research, how we shape our campuses, and how we engage with society.
For the University of Graz, sustainability is therefore not an isolated field of activity, but a guiding principle that informs our institutional development. It connects ecological responsibility with social justice, scientific excellence with practical action, and long-term thinking with the decisions we make every day. In this sense, our commitment to sustainability reaches across research, teaching, operations, and governance.
Last year, the University of Graz signed the Durham Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainability. This was an important step for us. The Declaration expresses a shared conviction among Coimbra Group universities: that higher education institutions must not only analyse the climate crisis, but also help lead the transformation toward a more sustainable future. It reminds us that collaboration is essential — across disciplines, across institutions, and across national borders.
At the University of Graz, this commitment is embedded in a comprehensive sustainability strategy. We have been working systematically for many years to reduce our environmental footprint, strengthen sustainability in teaching and research, and anchor sustainable practices in university life. Our environmental management structures, our long-standing engagement with sustainable campus development, and our climate roadmap all reflect this ambition. We have set ourselves the goal of drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving true climate neutrality by 2040. These are demanding goals, but they are necessary ones.
At the same time, sustainability for us means more than climate protection alone. It also means creating the conditions for responsible knowledge production, fostering critical thinking, encouraging participation, and enabling our students and researchers to contribute to solutions for regional and global challenges. Universities must be living laboratories for change — places where innovation is tested, responsibility is practiced, and future-oriented perspectives are developed together.
The Durham Declaration gives this work an important European dimension. It highlights that no university can address these challenges in isolation. The Coimbra Group offers a strong framework for mutual learning, exchange of experience, and shared visibility. By working together, we can increase our impact — not only within our own institutions, but also in the broader public and political discourse on sustainability.
I am convinced that universities have a particular role to play in this historic moment. We educate future decision-makers, generate knowledge, and help societies navigate complexity. This gives us both an opportunity and an obligation: to act credibly, ambitiously, and in partnership with others.
The University of Graz is proud to contribute to this common effort. By aligning our own sustainability strategy with the principles of the Durham Declaration, we reaffirm our belief that universities can and must be drivers of transformation. The path ahead will require persistence, cooperation, and courage — but it is a path we must take together.
This year’s Annual Conference is hosted by the University of Granada from 16 to 19 June under the main theme “Transforming the local and social environment through Research and Innovation”. Together with our hosts, we are proud to announce the first confirmed speakers for the public conference taking place on 18 June 2026.
Session I – Keynote Speaker “Universities, Science and Territories: Building Shared Futures”
18 June, 9:30 – 10:25 CET
We are honoured to welcome Beth Simone Noveck, author of Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy (Yale University Press, 2026), as our keynote speaker. A professor at Northeastern University, Beth directs The Burnes Center for Social Change and The Governance Lab, focusing on “Democratic AI” or how to apply AI to strengthen democratic institutions and improve government performance.
Professor Noveck brings an exceptional blend of academic insight and practical experience, having previously served in the White House, 10 Downing Street, and the German Chancellery, and founding the White House Open Government Initiative. She currently leads InnovateUS, which supports free public sector learning, as well as the Observatory of Public Sector AI and AI for Impact, which designs and deploys AI tools to improve public outcomes.
Learn more about Beth Simone Noveck here and here.
Session II – Social Agents of Transformation
18 June, 10:15 – 11:15 CET
This session brings together leading voices shaping social innovation and governance across multiple levels:
- Hugo Almeida, Deputy Head of Unit for Rural Areas and Networks (DG AGRI) at the European Commission
- Carlos Torrecilla Salinas, Head of the “Digital Economy” / “Innovation Policies and Economic Impact” Unit at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.
- Ana Elorza Moreno, Strategic Projects Director at the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT)
- José Mateos Moreno, Director General for Employment and Sustainable Development at the Provincial Council of Granada (Diputación de Granada)
These panellists will explore how universities, governments, and civil society can collaborate to act as catalysts for transformative social change across regions and nations.
A call for contributions has been circulated to the Rectors of all Coimbra Group Universities for the identification of speakers for Session III – Best Practices from Coimbra Group Universities: Research & Innovation Driving Territorial Transformation.
The public conference will be live streamed.
For full programme details, visit the Coimbra Group Annual Conference 2026 programme.
Registration is open until 18 May 2026 through this link.
Doctoral Studies Working Group and University of Graz
14 April 2026, 11:00-12:00 CET, online
Description
Academia may be competitive, but does it have to be unkind? In this talk, Johanna Stadlbauer and Gerald Lind will present how the Research Careers Campus Graz (RCC) promotes collegiality, diversity, and strategic career development to create a more supportive research culture. Drawing on expertise in researcher development across all academic career stages, gender equality, and organisational change, they will share examples of the RCC’s initiatives that support researchers in building connections, fostering inclusion, and navigating career transitions. There will be ample time for discussion following Johanna’s and Gerald’s input.
Speakers
Johanna Stadlbauer is Head of the Research Careers Campus at the University of Graz. She has a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and has previously worked in equality and diversity promotion, as well as in violence prevention. Her mission is to make academia more fun and kind, and to create equitable and diverse structures and practices. She regularly posts about research culture topics on LinkedIn.
Gerald Lind is the Deputy Head of the Research Careers Campus at the University of Graz, where he devises institutional strategies to support the personal and academic development of researchers from various disciplinary backgrounds. He studied in Vienna and Edinburgh and holds a PhD in German Literature.
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Equality and Diversity Working Group
Thursday, 16 April 2026, 16:00-18:00 CET
We warmly invite you to attend this webinar presenting the newly published and timely collective volume Why EDI Matters: Equ(al)ity, Diversity and Inclusion in European Universities, developed in the recent months by the Equality & Diversity Working Group of the Coimbra Group.
Join the co-editors and selected chapter authors for this two-hour event as they explore the volume’s main themes: sustainable futures, injustice, institutional structures. Each section will be followed by a Q&A session, giving you the chance to engage and participate in the discussion.
Register here to receive the connection link.
Agenda
Welcome
Emmanuelle Gardan, Director of the Brussels Office of the Coimbra Group
Introduction and Section I: Making Sustainable Futures: Education, Research, Social Justice
Professor Annalisa Oboe, University of Padova, co-editor of the volume
Presentation of selected chapters
– Núria Ferran-Ferrer, Miquel Centelles: From Silence to Spotlight: Towards Epistemic Justice in Women’s Digital Representation in the Age of Digital Humanities and Artificial Intelligence (University of Barcelona)
– Elisa Gamba: EDI, Care and Social Justice: Welcoming Refugees and Students at Risk at the University of Padua (University of Padua)
Q&A
Section II: Addressing Injustice: Invisibility, Discrimination, Violence
Professor Helena Wahlström Henriksson, Uppsala University, co-editor of the volume
Presentation of selected chapters
– Arno Schrooyen, Lisa Schivalocchi: The Student Movement in Europe: A New Strategy for Inclusion (European Student Union)
– Cristina Demaria, Cristina Gamberi: Theories, Policies and Practices: EDI and the Role of Higher Education in Countering GBV (University of Bologna)
Q&A
Section III: Changing Institutional Structures: Policies, Practices, Care
Associate Professor Vera Sokolová, Charles University, co-editor of the volume
Presentation of selected chapters
– Christiane Schwieren: Why EDI Matters: Insights from Research and University Equal Opportunity Practices (Heidelberg University)
– Věra Sokolová, Iveta Bayerová: Transforming Charles University into a Caring Institution: The Impact of EDI in a Post-Socialist Context (Charles University)
Q&A
Closing remarks
For further information, please contact Iveta Bayerová.
Social Sciences and Humanities Working Group
14 April 2026, 16:00-18:00
Trinity College Dublin, Neill Theatre, Trinity Long Room Hub
The event is organised jointly by the Social Sciences and Humanities Working Group of the Coimbra Group, Trinity Global and the Trinity Long Room Hub.
Summary
As negotiations for the next Horizon Europe Framework Programme (2028-2034) proceed, the EU must broaden its research priorities beyond economic output and tech-driven competitiveness to include the social dimension of progress. A more inclusive and sustainable research strategy is necessary to address the complex challenges that Europe faces and to secure its social model and global competitiveness.
This workshop will explore the debate around the contribution of the research community of social sciences and humanities into the design of European funding – to align EU research with citizen needs and democratic values, and better inform public policies and drive economic growth.
Draft Programme
16:00-16:45 Keynote speech by Gabi Lombardo, Director of the European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities (EASSH)
16:45-17:00 Q&A
17:00-17:45 Panel Discussion moderated by Patrik Geoghegan – Professor in History and Director of Trinity Long Room Hub (Trinity College Dublin)
- Professor Ilaria Poggiolini – Professor of International History and Chair of the Coimbra SSH Working Group (University of Pavia)
- Professor Pekka Räsänen – Professor of Economic Sociology (University of Turku)
- Maureen Burgess – Research Programme Officer, Trinity Long Room Hub, (Trinity College)
- Gráinne Walshe – Assistant Director at Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland
17:45-18:00 Q&A and conclusions
Keynote: Gabi Lombardo (PhD LSE), is Director of the European Alliance for SSH one of the largest advocacy and science policy organizations in Europe. EASSH advocates for an evidence-based approach to policy-making, and researchers’ inclusion in funding design. High-level experience in science policy research and implementation working in international organisations like London School of Economics, European Research Council and Science Europe. She is a member of the CoARA Steering Board and other organisations’ steering boards. She’s an evaluator for the EU, World Bank, and COST. Gabi received the Young Academy of Europe Prize in 2018.
We are delighted to announce that all 42 Coimbra Group member universities have formally endorsed the Durham Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainability, following the recent admission of three new universities to our network.
This month, Prof. Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, Prof. Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, and Prof. Robert Olkiewicz, Rector of the University of Wrocław, officially signed the Declaration. These three universities joined the Coimbra Group at the last General Assembly, held in Bologna in June 2025.
Launched in March 2025 during the Climate Symposium hosted by Durham University, the Declaration articulates a unified vision for how higher education can contribute to global climate action. It sets out seven key principles to embed sustainability in all areas of academic life, including research, education, governance, and operations. The Declaration highlights the crucial role of universities as innovators, educators, partners and investors in driving transformative solutions to the climate crisis.
Prof. Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Coimbra Group Executive Board, commented: “We warmly welcome the swift commitment of the leadership of our three new member universities. Their endorsement reinforces the principles of the Declaration and brings additional expertise and energy to our collaborative efforts. This unified stance also sends a clear message to our partners, to the EU policymakers and to the UN agencies: Europe’s leading research- and education-intensive universities are more committed and determined than ever to champion climate action”.
Serving as a guiding framework for the network, the Durham Declaration provides a shared roadmap for university-led climate and sustainability initiatives, fostering collaboration within the network as well as with local, national, European and international stakeholders. With full adoption across its membership, the Coimbra Group will further develop joint initiatives, influence policy and amplify its global advocacy in these critical areas.
On 17-18 March 2026, the Green Erasmus 2.0 consortium met at the ESN headquarters in Brussels for its inaugural Transnational Project Meeting (TPM), marking an important milestone in the project’s launch. Representatives from all partner organisations advanced in the implementation, while having the opportunity to engage with external stakeholders, including Ms Bérénice Kimpe, Head of the SALTO Green Resource Centre.
It was agreed that the consortium will now collaborate closely with SALTO and its network of green national contact points for higher education within the Erasmus+ National Agencies, drawing on their broad knowledge of existing tools and frameworks that promote sustainability in internationalisation across Europe and their dissemination capacity.
Contributions at the meeting from two experts from KU Leuven and Utrecht University, both Coimbra Group members, also added significant value to the discussions.
Coordinated by the University of Poitiers and supported by the Coimbra Group as a full partner, Green Erasmus 2.0 is an Erasmus+ project (2025-2028) that aims to place sustainability at the heart of international higher education.
Over two intensive days, partners further developed the project’s quality assurance processes and made progress in the implementation of all deliverables :
- The self-assessment tool enabling students to reflect on their sustainability knowledge, habits, and decision-making, particularly in areas such as travel, consumption, and everyday behaviour.
- The series of online courses (MOOCs) designed to address knowledge gaps identified through the self-assessment process.
- The practical toolkit for universities to support the implementation of sustainable behaviour change across institutions.
- The educational framework for challenge-based learning, to foster active engagement with environmental sustainability issues.
- The Green Erasmus label, a mechanism to assess, recognise, and promote sustainability efforts within higher education institutions, while supporting the integration of sustainability into internationalisation strategies.
The consortium is also pleased to announce that it now has the formal support from the European Association for International Education (EAIE) in contributing to the dissemination of the project’s results and the development of the Community of Practice.
Participation in Green Erasmus 2.0 advances the Coimbra Group’s commitment to the Durham Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainability, adopted by all Coimbra Group university rectors in March 2025.
