YERUN News

At the kind invitation of our Rector, Prof. Katharina Holzinger, the University of Konstanz had the distinct privilege of hosting the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN) General Assembly from October 9-11, 2024. We were pleased to welcome leaders and coordinators from member institutions, as well as the Brussels office, fostering valuable collaboration and exchange. Held during a time of political transition in Europe, following the re-election of President Ursula von der Leyen, the assembly addressed the new priorities in European Research and Education. This future-focused, three-day event provided a valuable opportunity to shape YERUN’s next strategic phase and strengthen the role of young research universities in an evolving political and geopolitical landscape.

Day 1: Warm Welcomes - Discovering the University of Konstanz, Its Excellence and Stunning Location, and Bringing YERUN Actors Together

The gathering opened on October 9th with a warm welcome from Prof. Dirk Leuffen, Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Impact at the University of Konstanz. His presentation introduced the university’s strategic priorities and emphasized its continued success within the Germany’s Excellence Strategy, offering a deeper insight into "Who We Are" as an institution committed to research excellence and innovation.

The first day was filled with discovery, as participants explored and learned more about the University of Konstanz. It also provided a valuable opportunity for an in-person meeting between the University of Konstanz YERUN ad hoc group members and colleagues from the YERUN Brussels office, underscoring the crucial role these groups play in YERUN's advocacy and collaboration.

A special thanks goes to our University of Konstanz colleagues and YERUN ad hoc group members from the Open Science and Sustainability Unit, the Staff  Unit for University Development, Research and Transfer, the Zukunftskolleg, the EUniWell Alliance, the Academy of Advanced Studies, and the Excellence Cluster "The Politics of Inequality" for their invaluable contributions to the event.

As a fitting conclusion to the day’s programme, guests enjoyed the stunning natural surroundings of the University of Konstanz. Nestled in a unique landscape, the university provided a perfect backdrop for the group to visit the nearby Island of Mainau, offering a memorable experience that added to the spirit of connection and reflection during this significant autumn gathering.

Day 2: Navigating the new EU Political priorities and challenging international cooperation

The second day of the assembly started with a dedicated Rectors' workshop focused on the challenges of international academic and scientific collaboration in an increasingly fragmented political world.

This increasingly significant issue requires careful management of conflicting interests, particularly as geopolitical uncertainties continue to shape academic partnerships. Balancing academic freedom, openness and core R&I values with the risks posed by shifting geopolitical realities is no small task. Nienke Buisman, Head of Unit for International Cooperation at the European Commission, DG Research & Innovation, provided valuable insights into the Commission’s approach to international collaboration, emphasizing the importance of conducting international R&I cooperation in a way that is both open and safe—a delicate balancing act that brings also increased responsibility with academic freedom. Veronika Kupriyanova, Deputy Director of the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), further enriched the discussions by addressing responsible internationalization and taking a broader view of the higher education sector, particularly the wider impact of research security. Dr. Johannes Dingler,  Director of the International Office of the University of Konstanz, contributed key insights into science diplomacy and the values-based approach to internationalization, especially in sensitive political contexts.

In the afternoon and in light of the new political environement in Brussels,  attention turned to the broader emerging EU political priorities. Discussions centered on how universities can align with the European Union’s agenda for 2024- 2029 under President Ursula von der Leyen, which emphasizes the role of research and innovation in driving European prosperity and competitiveness.

The day was rounded up with a deep dive into the University of Konstanz excellence profile. With an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Centre for Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB),  participants had the opportunity to witness the university’s research excellence firsthand. Special thanks go to Prof. Oliver Deussen, along Nihan Toprakkiran, Simone Strauf, and the CASCB’s early career researchers, for providing this unique experience. The visit to CASCB perfectly illustrated the high-impact research done at the Unversit of Konstanz and provided deep insights into cutting-edge research projects, demonstrating the innovative spirit that defines Konstanz.

Day 3: Shaping the Future of YERUN and Celebrating New Leadership

The final day was dedicated to the future development and strategic priorities of the YERUN network, with an eye on the upcoming 10th anniversary in 2025, the new Research Cooperation Platform CONNECT by YERUN, with currently a comprehensive database of 34 000 researchers and almost 1 million publications, and the kick start of the prepartions for the next YERUN strategy. The session was hosted by Prof. Katharina Holzinger, Rector of the University of Konstanz and chaired by YERUNs President, Prof. Dag Rune Olsen, Rector of the University of Tromsø, and featured an engaging discussion on the next steps of the network. YERUN’s Secretary General, Silvia Gomez Recio, outlined the key goals for the upcoming 2026–2030 strategic period, which will guide the network’s future direction.

As it is a tradition, the YERUN Elections took place. With the current YERUN Executive Board’s mandate set to expire in November, the assembly voted to elect four new board members for the upcoming two-year term. We deeply appreciate the outstanding and dedicated work of Prof. Hildegard Schneider (U Maastricht), Prof. Florian Schweigert (U Potsdam),  Prof. Neville Wylie (U Stirling) and Prof. João Amaro de Matos (U NOVA de Lisboa) , and are pleased to welcome and congratulate the following new members of the Executive Board: Prof. Adam Kola from the Nicolaus Copernicus University, Prof. Barbara Höhle (U Potsdam), Prof. Jens Ringsmose (U of Southern Denmark) and Prof. Sophie Vanhoonacker (U Maastricht).

A Bright Future Ahead

In conclusion, the 2024 Autumn YERUN General Assembly was an enriching and future-oriented event that set the stage for continued collaboration and innovation within the network. Through insightful discussions, key updates, and strategic planning, YERUN’s member universities are well-positioned to tackle the challenges of the coming years and further their mission of fostering excellence in research and education across Europe.

Stay tuned for more exciting developments as we continue to build on the strong foundation established in the almost one decade. For additional and further updates, we invite you to visit the YERUN homepage. The next General Assembly will be kindly hosted by the Univerisy of Rijeka.