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Education Innovation

Working Group

Chair: François Lecellier

François Lecellier is Associate Professor in Computer Science at the Institute of Technology of the University of Poitiers in France. His research interests are focused on image, videos and data processing and clustering. He also works in the field of Learning Analytics in the program Elans to allow a “tailor-made” follow-up, essential to better accompany students’ learning trajectories. He is also chair of Coda project regarding links between high schools and universities. In pedagogy, he works on gamification and use of video games to enhance students’ engagement.

Vice-Chair: Vanessa Vigano

Vanessa Vigano is a Digital Educationalist at the University of Montpellier, where she leads the EdTech and AI work package for the CHARM-EU European University Alliance. She specializes in hybrid and international course design, with a strong focus on challenge-based learning. Her work includes supporting teaching staff across Europe, coordinating the development of hybrid classrooms, and improving virtual learning environments. With a background in communication, UX research, and IT accessibility, she brings a user-centred and inclusive approach to educational innovation.

Working Group Focus

This Working Group aims to share best practices in pedagogy across various domains. We work on three strands:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education
  • Faculty development and the evolution of the role of teachers
  • Sustainability

The first objective of the Working Group is to provide Coimbra Group universities with a robust framework for AI integration and to promote exchanges among members. We aim to develop coherent, rights-based, and pedagogically sound policies that ensure higher education institutions remain fully aligned with the EU AI Act, the Digital Education Action Plan and the European Education Area 2030 goals.

The second strand addresses a persistent and critical systemic challenge: the longstanding reality that teaching excellence does not sufficiently advance academic careers, attract significant funding, or influence global institutional rankings. The Working Group will investigate how teaching staff are currently recognised across Coimbra Group universities and explore how such recognition can be further enhanced.

The third strand focuses on the sustainable implementation of institutional change. We recognise that top-down mandates often fail to produce lasting innovation. Therefore, we will focus on fostering horizontal collaboration across departments, faculties, and administrative units. In this context, our goal is to contribute to the implementation of the Durham Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainability and to develop a MOOC on sustainability for Coimbra Group universities.

Priorities for 2026 – 2029

  • AI in Higher Education: work within the framework of the EU AI Act to collect information on Coimbra Group universities’ approaches and to propose activities and good practices for AI in teaching and learning.
  • Faculty development: collect and analyse examples on how teaching staff are recognised within Coimbra Group universities.
  • Sustainability: propose a MOOC on sustainability linked to the Durham Declaration.
  • AI survey and policy: prepare a White Paper on AI policies across Coimbra Group universities.

Recent highlights since September 2025

  • Development of a MOOC on sustainability.
  • Policy engagement with European institutions, including feedback to the European Commission and the European Parliament on key topics such as media literacy and digital learning and AI in higher education.

Ongoing/forthcoming activities 2026 – 2027

  • Preparation of the 7th Coimbra Group High-Level Seminar on Educational Policy, “Teaching and Learning in the Age of AI: Perspectives from Students and Educators”, hosted by the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 3-4 November 2026.
  • Mapping AI policies across Coimbra Group universities (launch of a new survey).
  • Launch of a new thematic focus on faculty development and the resilience of educational innovation services at Coimbra Group universities.

Forthcoming activities 2027 – 2029

  • Development of a White Paper on AI in Higher Education summarising the findings of the two internal surveys conducted in 2024 and 2026.
  • Launch of the MOOC on sustainability in 2027 and publication of participant feedback.
  • An in-person Working Group meeting hosted at a Coimbra Group university to focus on faculty development.
  • Preparation of the 8th Coimbra Group High-Level Seminar on Educational Policy to be held in autumn 2028. The topic will be determined in coordination with the Executive Board.

Contact person at the CG Office: Rúben Castro (castro@coimbra-group.eu)