A Broader Mind event at VU Amsterdam
On 15 October 2025, educators and academic leaders from across Aurora gathered at VU Amsterdam to explore an innovative approach to interdisciplinary education: the A Broader Mind Course. Organised by the Digital Society and Global Citizenship Hub, the event offered Aurora partners a unique opportunity to experience first-hand how VU Amsterdam prepares students to engage with complex societal challenges through cross-disciplinary thinking.
Developed by Prof. Govert Buis, the A Broader Mind Course challenges early-stage students to look beyond their primary discipline, guided by more advanced peers. Through diverse academic perspectives, students develop a holistic understanding of pressing societal issues: a mindset they carry throughout their academic journey.
From Concept to Collaboration
The day brought together teachers, students, educational advisors, researchers, policy staff, and programme directors to dive deep into the A Broader Mind methodology. Prof. Buis introduced the course’s pedagogical foundations, followed by a hands-on session where participants engaged with a concrete course assignment, experiencing the interdisciplinary approach from a student’s perspective.
The heart of the event was dedicated to ideation: working groups explored how A Broader Mind could evolve into a true Aurora-wide initiative. Participants discussed various implementation models: from flex mobility arrangements and local course variants to student exchange opportunities and joint programme development across partner institutions.
Building a Broader European Education
The event concluded with plenary feedback sessions where groups shared their visions for bringing A Broader Mind to their own universities, creating a roadmap for follow-up collaboration.
The A Broader Mind Event demonstrated how peer-guided interdisciplinary learning can make teaching more engaging, curricula more relevant, and institutional societal impact more profound. It marked an important step in the Aurora community’s shared mission to transform higher education across Europe, preparing students not just for their chosen fields, but for the complex, interconnected challenges of our time.