Skip to main content

Teaching for Societal Impact: Inside Aurora’s WP4

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

Teaching is one of the most visible things a university does. The work that shapes it, the frameworks, the partnerships, the decisions about what learning should actually prepare students for, tends to happen quietly, in working groups and planning documents that rarely make it into public view.
Within Aurora, Work Package 4: Teaching for Societal Impact focuses specifically on teaching and learning for societal impact, bringing together educators, curriculum developers, and institutional leads from across Aurora to think seriously about what teaching looks like when it is designed around real-world impact rather than disciplinary convention alone. In this interview, Marjolein Zweekhorst, lead of Work Package 4, shares what WP4 is working on, what it has already set in motion, and what it will take to move forward.
What is WP4 and its subgroups working towards, and which real-world challenges does it respond to?

Work Package 4 (WP4) focuses on transforming teaching and learning to achieve a clear societal impact. In practice, it works towards embedding service learning, challenge-based co-creation, and education aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Aurora universities. Its three subgroups each contribute to this goal in different ways: TT4.1 promotes the integration of service learning and joint, real-world problem solving within curricula; TT4.2 develops and applies the LOUIS competence framework to align learning outcomes with sustainability and personal development goals; and TT4.3 strengthens international cooperation, particularly through partnerships with universities in the Global South. Together, these efforts respond to real-world challenges such as SDGs, e.g., climate change, social inequality, and the disconnect between academic knowledge and societal needs, by making education more applied, inclusive, and globally connected.

Can you give one concrete example of something that WP4 has produced or set in motion this year?

One concrete example is the mapping of more than 100 service learning and SDG-oriented courses across Aurora partner universities. This initiative has created a shared overview of how societal engagement is already embedded in teaching and has made it easier for institutions to exchange practices, collaborate on course development, and identify gaps or opportunities for further innovation. It also lays the groundwork for integrating these courses into a common Aurora Course Catalogue, increasing their access and visibility.

What does working across Aurora universities actually make possible thematically that would not exist if each university worked alone?
Working across Aurora universities enables the development of shared thematic approaches to education that go beyond what individual institutions could achieve on their own. For example, it enables the alignment of curricula around common priorities, such as the SDGs and societal impact, while also supporting the creation of joint learning experiences, such as Blended Intensive Programmes and international learning labs. Importantly, it also facilitates cross-cultural and global collaboration, particularly through partnerships between European and African universities, hence enriching perspectives and strengthening mutual learning. Without this collaboration, universities would be limited to their own institutional frameworks and would lack the same level of coordination, exchange, and global reach.
What is the next step for WP4, and is there anything the broader Aurora community should know about what it takes to get there?

The next step for WP4 is to consolidate and integrate its outputs, including the course mapping, the digital Toolbox, and the planned Experts Centre, into Aurora’s shared digital infrastructure, especially the Course Catalogue. Achieving this will require continued coordination across universities, particularly regarding technical systems, data sharing, and agreement on formats and standards. Moreover, we will assess the impact of the activities conducted in WP 4. For the broader Aurora community, it is important to understand that this phase depends heavily on active participation: universities need to contribute data, engage with the tools being developed, and collaborate across work packages. In this sense, the success of WP4 moving forward relies not only on its own activities but on joint effort and alignment across the entire alliance.

The work discussed in this interview comes to life at the Aurora Symposium on Global Citizenship, taking place 27–29 May 2026 at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Organised by WP4, the symposium brings together educators, researchers, students, and professionals from across Aurora Universities to exchange insights and ideas on fostering global citizenship in higher education.

Registration is free for Aurora alliance members. The deadline to register is 30 April 2026.

Introducing the Doctoral Candidates of the seizmic Doctoral Network

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

The seizmic Doctoral Network, developed within Aurora Universities, engages 15 early-career researchers working on the theory and practice of scaling social entrepreneurship. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the network integrates expertise in impact investing, business model design, education, and AI-driven technology. The seizmic Doctoral Network is a project developed within Aurora Universities, involving several universities in Aurora and more than 15 non-academic partners. It aims to connect research across member institutions and reinforce Aurora’s commitment to social impact and sustainability.

The network is structured into four interconnected research-based work packages and the 15 doctoral candidates are distributed across these work packages. To enhance research impact and strengthen doctoral training, the Doctoral Network is based on international mobility, requiring at least two secondments per doctoral candidate, including one academic and one non-academic placement. This cross-institutional collaboration supports the career development of doctoral candidates and fosters scientific exchange.

The seizmic Doctoral Network Candidates and their projects

Social Business Models
Work Package 2, “Shifting Paradigms to Social Business Model Design,” examines how innovative and sustainable business models can enable social enterprises to grow while maintaining their social mission. This work package investigates design practices, foresight approaches, and collaborative frameworks that facilitate scaling in diverse contexts.
  • Frederik Hovmark Pedersen
    ESCP Business School, Germany — Supervisor: Florian Lüdeke
    Frederik studies business model design and cross-sector collaboration, classifying design patterns and collaborations to understand their effect on scaling social entrepreneurship.
  • Eugenia Santoro
    University of Iceland — Supervisor: Lára Jóhannsdóttir
    Eugenia uses qualitative, case-based methods to explore how transparency and impact measurement influence the design and scalability of social business models, and to understand their interplay in social entrepreneurship scaling.
  • Valentina Alcalde Gómez
    University of Naples Federico II, Italy — Supervisor: Ramon Rispoli
    Valentina researches alternative design practices that support healing and regeneration in communities undergoing socio-ecological transition, with a focus on the Global South.
  • Anika Keils
    Université Paris-Est Créteil, France — Supervisor: Felipe Koch
    Anika investigates social foresight methods supporting the design and scaling of social business models, using participatory, future-oriented approaches.
Impact Investing
Work Package 3, “Impact Investing for Social Entrepreneurship Scaling,” explores financial mechanisms that sustain and accelerate the growth of social enterprises. It examines interactions between impact investors and social enterprises, the role of hybrid financing instruments, and the management of tensions between financial returns and mission fidelity throughout the investment cycle.
  • Lisa Pramann
    Copenhagen Business School, Denmark — Supervisor: Kai Hockerts
    Lisa examines how impact investors can drive systemic change and scale social entrepreneurship by analysing how financial actors serve as catalysts for societal transformation.
  • Elizaveta Petroskaja
    University of Iceland — Supervisor: Magnus Torfason
    Elizaveta investigates how social enterprises maintain mission throughout the investment lifecycle, focusing on the tension between scaling ambitions and social fidelity.
  • Zhihui Chen
    Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain — Supervisor: Xiaoni Li
    Zhihui examines the role of impact investment in social enterprise scaling, aiming to identify financing strategies that balance the needs of enterprises and investors.
  • Bao Toan Le
    University of Aalborg, Denmark — Supervisor: Svenja Damberg
    Bao Toan investigates financial instruments driving social enterprise growth, with a focus on the effectiveness of hybrid and impact finance mechanisms in scaling.
Education & Competencies
Work Package 4, “Competencies and Education for SE Scaling,” looks at the human and educational dimensions of scaling. It studies the role of educators, mentoring structures, and competency frameworks in preparing social entrepreneurs to navigate complexity. Special attention is given to inclusive education practices and to the integration of emerging tools, such as AI tutors, into pedagogical settings.
  • Anne Schlieker
    Copenhagen Business School, Denmark — Supervisor: Kristian Roed Nielsen
    Anne researches social entrepreneurship education, integrating futures thinking and systems thinking to strengthen teaching practices that prepare students for complex entrepreneurial challenges.
  • Pelin Sürmeli
    Copenhagen Business School, Denmark — Supervisor: Kai Hockerts
    Pelin examines the macro-level impact of social entrepreneurship through Institutional Theory, focusing on FemTech and how social ventures drive systemic change in gender-specific sectors.
Digital Ecosystems & AI
Work Package 5, “Digital Ecosystems and Artificial Intelligence Use,” investigates how digital platforms, ecosystems, and artificial intelligence tools foster the scaling of social enterprises. It addresses topics such as AI-driven mentoring systems and the role of digital ecosystems in marginalised or conflict-affected regions, aiming to develop technological solutions that are socially inclusive and mission-oriented.
  • Michail Skalistiris Pikis
    Copenhagen Business School, Denmark — Supervisor: Torkil Clemmensen
    Michail examines how GPT-based AI mentors can support creativity and learning among social entrepreneurs, helping them identify social issues and design innovative business models.
  • David Melubo Kisotu
    University of Naples Federico II, Italy — Supervisors: Vincenzo Rispoli
    David investigates digital ecosystems in marginalised contexts, focusing on how AI and social media platforms shape social enterprise innovation in Kenyan startups and contribute to innovation at the margins.
  • Sophie Schierle
    University of Innsbruck, Austria — Supervisor: Johann Füller
    Sophie explores how AI-driven tools can support social entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation, with applications in resource allocation, impact measurement, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Sarbinaz Nagyzkhan
    University of Innsbruck, Austria — Supervisor: Johann Füller
    Sarbinaz analyses how communities in conflict zones create digital ecosystems of self-organised networks and develops practical recommendations for municipalities supporting local resilience.

The seizmic Doctoral Network is funded by the European Union through Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, project number 101169098. For further information, visit seizmic.eu and follow the project on LinkedIn. Direct inquiries may be addressed to the project manager, Ricky Celenta, at rc.msc@cbs.dk.

 

Governance, Strategy And Sustainability Focal Points At The Aurora Executive Committee Meeting In Paris

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

In March 2026, Aurora’s vision of matching academic excellence with societal impact came together during the Aurora Executive Committee hosted by the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC). Over two intensive days, members of the Aurora Central Office and Institutional Coordinators from all nine Aurora universities exchanged on governance, educational strategy and sustainability.


From left to right: Thomas Baumgartner, Joan Miquel Canals, Bruno Catalanotti, Jordi Serra Calvó, Anna Savostina, Alexander Lindemans, Chiara Cardigliano, Esmee Paques, Niels Hexspoor, Maria José Montaña Correa, Ivona Barešová, Petra Günther, Pasquale Sellitto, Anne-Karen Hüske, Dejan Lukovic, Fanney Karlsdottir, Svandís Halldórsdóttir, Julia Tackenberg, Tomasz Walicko, Selma Porobic, and Martin Schwell

Governance and Strategic Vision

 The starting point that kicked off the meeting focused on the current governance and long-term strategic vision for Aurora. From governing, managing, to executing operations, Institutional Coordinators (ICs) reflected on the Aurora organisational structure, and the roles and responsibilities of each layer within.

In three working groups, the ICs clarified the embeddedness of their universities in Aurora, the engagement of key leadership roles, and the process of decision-making across the alliance. They further discussed about the position and purpose of external boards.

The thought-provoking exchange on governance set the scene for the sessions that followed on the overall Aurora strategy and in particular, educational strategy. ICs reiterated the importance of institutional alignment in addition to existing alliance-level alignment when it comes to meeting research and education objectives together.

Aurora Central Office members, Institutional Coordinators, and university representatives reflected on key topics over two days of meetings, presentations and workshops

Charting the Way Forward

A broader discussion ensued, touching on the feedback from the Aurora 2030 progamme mid-term evaluation. Members of the Aurora Central Office and ICs highlighted major progress in the first half of the programme, and spoke about the developments yet to be achieved by the end of the funding period in November 2027.

The conversation then turned toward preparations for the future Erasmus+ call that can offer Aurora the possibility of a two-year extension of its programme under the framework of the European Universities Initiative. To better anticipate the writing of the proposal, the group agreed on the creation of a coordination committee where target stakeholders actively participate and have specific responsibilities pertaining to their expertise.

The Aurora Executive Committee meeting closed with a presentation of the Aurora Annual Conference 2026. The in-person conference is scheduled to take place from 18 to 20 May at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) campuses, and gathers over 200 academics, staff, students, and external stakeholders from across Europe. A space to debate ideas, exchange perspectives, share best practices, and chart the way forward as one.

UPEC Hosts Aurora Workshop on LOUIS Educational Tool

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) brought together 24 participants for a workshop dedicated to LOUIS (Learning Outcomes in University for Impact on Society), an educational tool developed within the framework of the Aurora European university alliance.


UPEC educators gather during in-person Aurora workshop to discover the LOUIS educational tool

LOUIS As An Assessment Tool For Transversal Skills

LOUIS (Learning Outcomes in University for Impact on Society) is one of the three components of the Aurora Competence Framework, alongside seizmic and BEVI. The framework supports Aurora’s educational vision of equipping graduates not only with subject expertise, but also with the skills and mindset needed to contribute positively to society. LOUIS helps teachers articulate and assess general academic and personal competences within subject-based courses, bridging the gap between broad competence frameworks and students’ actual learning progress in the classroom.

Organised by Christelle Garrouste, Associate Professor in Economics at UPEC, with the support of Martin Schwell, Vice-President for European Affairs and Aurora Institutional Coordinator at UPEC, the event provided teachers with the opportunity to discover this tool as a way to assess and develop students’ transversal skills in higher education.

This workshop served as an introduction to the tool, ahead of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on LOUIS that will take place in Amsterdam from 1 to 5 June 2026. On this occasion, academic staff from the nine Aurora universities will have five days to test the application of the tool in their courses and be ready to implement it in the next academic year.

Left to right: Christelle Garrouste, Florian Freitag and Kees Kouwenaar present the LOUIS educational tool to educators at UPEC

Adapting LOUIS To Teaching Practices

The workshop was led by Florian Freitag, professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen, and Kees Kouwenaar, Senior Advisor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and developer of LOUIS. The session presented the principles and objectives of this educational tool, which enables a structured evaluation of the acquisition of essential transversal skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

Developed within Aurora, LOUIS is based on VALUE, a higher education learning assessment approach developed by the American Association of Colleges & Universities.

“In Aurora’s vision, LOUIS aims to help students develop the skills they will need in their future lives in order to contribute positively to society and to Europe,” explains Florian Freitag.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to discuss the practical use of the tool in different teaching contexts. Participants exchanged with the speakers about how LOUIS could be adapted to the specific needs of their courses and programmes.

Delphine Adam, a participant in the workshop and a lecturer at UPEC, highlighted: “It is a good basis for reflection that can be adapted to students and to different teaching contexts.”

The session concluded with group discussions and a final exchange with participants, allowing them to explore potential ways of integrating LOUIS into teaching practices at UPEC.

Aurora Communication and Dissemination Team Explores Brand Storytelling Through Merchandising Strategies

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

From 3 to 5 March 2026, Palacký University Olomouc (UP) hosted the annual Aurora Trusted Local Communicators (TLC) Workshop, bringing together communication representatives from across Aurora universities. Over two days, participants explored how brand storytelling can be shaped through visual communication and merchandising strategies.


Aurora Communication and Dissemination team during the Aurora TLC Workshop 2026

The workshop was part of Aurora 2030 Work Package 10 on Impact and Dissemination, particularly Task 10.1 on Communication and Dissemination. It provided an understanding of the different ways that universities can adopt storytelling strategies that communicate vision, values and impact to their target audiences.

Institutional Strategy as a Foundation

The programme opened with a welcome by UP Vice-Rector for International Relations Ivona Barešová, who highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping strong and lasting institutional narratives.

This was followed by a presentation from Matěj Dostálek, UP Vice-Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility. Emphasising on the maxim of being “regionally rooted, globally connected”, Dostálek revealed “UP to the Future”, a ten-year strategic framework leading the development of the university in the context of future challenges. Based on the values of responsability, sustainability and resilience, this framework aims to build the university of the future as a space of trust, an actor of public responsability, and a European institution in both its values and action.

Left to right: Ivona Barešová (UP Vice-Rector for International Relations), Selma Porobic (Aurora Institutional Coordinator at UP), Matěj Dostálek (UP Vice-Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility) and Vendula Lužná, Science Communicator

Storytelling in Practice

Communication being the driver of change, UP representatives demonstrated how storytelling is applied across communication activities:

Vendula Lužná, Science Communicator
“Science is not finished until it is communicated.” Lužná pointed to the university’s role in building trust by connecting scientific research with real-world issues through active scientist engagement. UP is able to connect topics of interest to real societal issues such as mental health, healthy aging, and digital technologies.

Ondřej Martínek, Head of Marketing and University Events
“We define and sell the values of the university.” Martínek outlined UP’s strategy of building a “love brand” and promoting Olomouc as a student-friendly city, supported by strong marketing tools such as social media, video, a mobile app, merchandising, and a student ambassador programme.

Michael Kozák, Marketing and Events Specialist
“University storytellers.” Through a series of beautiful photographs, Kozák presented the UP Student Ambassador programme, highlighting students’ key role in peer-to-peer communication and community building through events such as roadshows, education fairs, and festivals.

Vojtěch Kmenta, Photographer and Social Media Manager
“Stories connect, emotion drives engagement.” Building on five content pillars, Kmenta demonstrated how UP uses Instagram to create an emotional gateway to the university through visually driven storytelling.

Sustainable Merchandising as Storytelling

Sustainability is one of the core values at UP, reflected in its merchandising. Marie Hanušová, UPoint Shop Manager, presented the principles behind UP’s official merchandise store in Olomouc city:

  • A clear framework for evaluating sustainable materials and suppliers
  • Practical design and production strategies
  • Tools for communicating sustainability authentically.

Marie Hanušová, UPoint Shop Manager, presented the principles behind UP’s sustainable merchandising strategy

“Sustainable merchandise is not a cost. It’s a statement of values,” says Hanušová. “When done well, sustainable merchandise builds emotional connection, extends brand reach, and positions your institution as a leader – not a follower – in the values economy.”

Each product’s story adds value, builds trust, and invites customers to be active participants of something good beyond just being regular buyers. The session offered practical guidance for more impactful merchandising choices in future Aurora activities.

From Ideas to Practice

Participants then applied these insights in two interactive workshops focused on Aurora’s upcoming participation at the EAIE 2026 conference in Glasgow. Discussions explored:

  • Visual concepts for the Aurora exhibition booth
  • Ideas for sustainable and engaging merchandise.

Working in groups, participants first developed creative concepts without limitations and then refined them under specific constraints, encouraging both innovation and strategic thinking.

Brainstorming visual design and merchandising strategies for the Aurora booth at the EAIE 2026

The Aurora TLC Workshop 2026 on Brand Storytelling through Merchandising Strategies provided a clear and practical overview of how storytelling, design, and sustainability can work together to strengthen institutional communication and enhance the Aurora brand.

seizmic Awards 2025 Demonstrates The Power Of Responsible Entrepreneurship

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

The seizmic Awards 2025 once again demonstrated the power of responsible entrepreneurship. This year’s submissions showed not only creativity and innovation, but also a deep understanding of how business models can address real world challenges.

The seizmic Awards jury carefully reviewed projects from diverse academic and geographic backgrounds. The overall quality was remarkable. The selected winners stood out for their clarity of purpose, feasibility, and measurable impact potential. Each submission reflects the growing commitment among students and young entrepreneurs to rethink business as a force for positive change.

Congratulations to all participating teams for their dedication to social entrepreneurship and innovation for good.

Discover the winning projects for seizmic Awards 2025 and access the full business models on the seizmic APP by following this step-by-step guide.

Winners of the seizmic Awards 2025

Winner: SavEat

See the business model

SavEat addresses one of the most urgent environmental and economic challenges of our time: food waste. A significant share of food produced globally is never consumed, leading to unnecessary emissions, wasted resources, and economic loss. SavEat proposes a solution that combines smart distribution systems with behavioral insight. By identifying surplus food and redirecting it efficiently, the project reduces waste while encouraging more conscious consumption patterns. What makes SavEat stand out is its balance between impact and scalability. The model demonstrates how environmental responsibility and commercial viability can reinforce each other rather than compete.

 

Runner Up: YUI

See the business model

YUI focuses on strengthening social inclusion through improved access to services and community resources. The project builds a platform that connects individuals, institutions, and opportunities in a more coordinated and accessible way. Many communities struggle with fragmentation and unequal access to support systems. YUI responds to this challenge by creating clearer pathways for participation and engagement. The jury particularly valued the project’s systemic perspective and its potential to generate long term social value while maintaining a sustainable revenue structure.

 

Runner Up: TerraPulse BioSolutions

See the business model

TerraPulse BioSolutions works at the intersection of biotechnology and sustainability. The project transforms biological waste streams into valuable inputs for agriculture and industry, contributing to more circular production systems. Environmental degradation and resource inefficiency remain central global concerns. TerraPulse BioSolutions addresses these challenges through scientific innovation combined with practical application. The strength of the model lies in its strong technical foundation and its clear pathway toward scalable environmental impact.

 

The seizmic awards continue to highlight how responsible innovation can shape the future of business. We look forward to seeing how this year’s winners further develop and implement their ideas.

Interested in participating in the next edition of the seizmic Awards? Stay tuned for upcoming calls for submissions.

The Social Business Model Panorama remains available to support you step by step in building your own impactful project.

For further information, please contact the seizmic team at: seizmic@cbs.dk

Inclusivity Is Key In The Aurora Student Council

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

In June 2025, Aurora Student Council (ASC) members gathered at the Universität Innsbruck for their biannual Aurora Student Conference. During the conference, they voted in the new ASC Board for the academic year 2025/2026. ASC President Simona Gibalovà from Aurora Associate Partner Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, talks about her journey toward becoming president, and expresses the Council’s thematic vision for the year ahead. 


From left to right: Simona Gibalovà (ASC President 2025/2026), Mathilde Chaumont (ASC President 2024/2025, and Veronika Sexl (Rector of Universität Innsbruck and Aurora President) 

My Path to Becoming the Aurora Student Council President

The first time I considered running for president was during the European Students Union (ESU) meeting in Timisoara, Romania in November 2024 after a conversation with the former Aurora Student Council (ASC) President, Mathilde Chaumont. At the time, I was about a year into my student representation in Aurora and finally felt comfortable understanding the inner structures of the alliance as well as the wider concept of European Universities Alliances. This meeting was very evocative and thought-provoking, and sparked the first idea of working towards the Aurora Student Rights Charter and more concrete goals and aspirations for the future of the ASC.

The work on this Charter really exposed me to some fundamental questions, such as what Aurora values are and what they mean to students, and also how important it is to have clear goals and aspirations formulated for the future of Aurora and next student councils to come. Inspired by this momentum and a very progressive moment within the Council, I was determined to keep this idea going for the next Student Council in the role of a president.

Inclusivity as the ASC Theme of the Year

The uniqueness of this presidency comes from two major distinctions in comparison to past Student Councils: the fact that I come from an associate partner university Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, and also the fact that we have an all-female Aurora Student Council board for the first time. Since both of these moments originated very naturally but represent a striking moment of progress and inclusivity, we only thought it logical to frame our focus on this phenomenon. I have to give credits where credits are due, for the phrasing of the theme of the year, “Inclusivity is the key”, this is the doing of our ASC Vice-president, Eliška Karasová. She is amazing with bringing ideas into concrete wording.

I was advised at first by some people to not bring much attention to the fact that I come from an associate partner university, however I decided to go against it. I believe the advice was made in good faith, to protect me from possible doubts that people may have about students like me, and to make sure my voice is heard as strongly as the full-member university representatives, which unfortunately both proved to be an issue in the early stages of my presidency.

I do feel a significant importance in the fact the the Student Council chooses to blur the line between what student comes from which university, because in the end, our goal as the Student Council, and I believe the goal of Aurora as well, is to ensure a better future for students across as many parts of Europe and the world as possible. As students, we believe there are many creative ways to make an impact regardless of what university or what project receives a certain cut of funding or not, and it is particularly interesting to take a look of how creative the associate partner universities have been in these past years in their collaboration with Aurora despite certain obstacles.

I feel very inspired by painting a spotlight to this unique side of Aurora collaboration and we do believe that this creativity is something to nourish and celebrate despite what your sending institution is, which is what this academic year and its theme has been about for us.

Simona Gibalovà
Aurora Student Council President (2025/2026)

Third Aurora Call Expands to Include Mixed Incentive Research and Education Projects

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

Following the success of the 2024 and 2025 calls, with over 90 submitted proposals, and after the final Aurora Board decision on 18 February 2026, Aurora launches a new Call for Exploratory Research and Education Projects, Thematic Schools, Research Seminars, and Secondments of Early-stage Researchers.

Two Key Actions with An Added Angle on Education

This new call aims to address the intersection between research and education. It incentivises the formation of original collaborative research actions and research-driven educational actions in Aurora’s six thematic hubs of transdisciplinary research and education: Sustainability and Climate Change, Digital Society and Global Citizenship, Health and Wellbeing, Culture: Identities and Diversities, Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Peace Education.

“As Aurora has taught us so far, learning is key in all innovative research,” says Barbara Buchenau, Professor of North American Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen, and Lead of Aurora transdisciplinary hubs. “It allows us to explore the boundaries between what is known and what is uncertain or contested. This call therefore explicitly recognizes the importance of learning activities for successful transdisciplinary research. It invites small European teams to further develop their visions for transdisciplinary research and education, thereby strengthening research-driven education and cutting-edge research in and among Aurora universities.”

This added angle on education is reflected in two of the call’s three Key Actions:

Key Action 1 – Exploratory and collaborative research projects, or projects that are built at the interface between research and education.

KA1 adds the possibility of submitting projects that mix teaching and research. Whenever selected projects fall within the domain of one of the six Aurora Hubs above, they should contribute to, and strengthen the Hub’s life. Therefore, projects that include both research and education perspectives can propose design measures for the creation of future blended intensive programmes, micro-credentials, or joint programmes. Still, research only projects, also outside the Hubs, are also welcome.

Matthias Beekmann, Aurora Research Council President and researcher at Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) states: “We expect that more than 10 of such incentive projects will be funded, strengthening the Aurora research and education community, and creating opportunities for Aurora researchers and teachers to participate in future European calls.”

Key Action 2 – Thematic Schools and Intensive Research Seminars

In addition to the thematic schools already present in previous calls, KA2 now also includes multi-day intensive research and teaching seminars. These seminars must feature contributions of researchers from Aurora universities, and should include hands-on, theory-driven field work or community engagement as well as student research.

Increased Available Budget to Support Excellent Projects

The available budget for the above two key actions has nearly increased by a half for this 2026 call to reach 240,000 Euros, a considerable increase from past years. A large part of this budget comes from additional contribution by Aurora member universities in addition to the budget provided under Aurora 2030 Task 5.2 on Academic Collaboration and Community Building.

This steadfast engagement allows for the possibility to support a larger number of excellent projects. It demonstrates a strong commitment in Aurora to provide and foster a solid environment for research, education and innovation within its community.

Submission of Proposals

This call is officially launched on 20 February 2026, with a deadline for proposals to be submitted on 17 April 2026, 12:00 CEST. For further information, go to Call for Incentive Research and Education Collaboration.

Aurora welcomes the University of Sussex as a Strategic Partner

Written by Chiara Cardigliano on . Posted in News.

Aurora is delighted to welcome the University of Sussex as a Strategic Partner of the Aurora Universities Network.

This partnership reflects our shared commitment to international collaboration, societal impact, and addressing global challenges through research and education, strengthening connections across Europe and globally. University of Sussex’s strategic focus on sustainability, human flourishing, and empowering students aligns closely with Aurora’s mission and values.

Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex, said:
“I am delighted that the University of Sussex has joined the Aurora Universities Network as a Strategic Partner. The Aurora partnership’s values closely reflect what we cherish most here at Sussex: a deep commitment to international collaboration and to addressing the most urgent global challenges through research and education. By strengthening our European partnerships, we are expanding opportunities for our students and staff and advancing our ambitions for environmental sustainability and human flourishing.”

Aurora Secretary General Dr Ramon Puras added:
“As a strategic partner, University of Sussex will begin structured engagement with Aurora institutions, participating in selected events and collaborative activities, and building institutional connections across the network. We were delighted to welcome Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global and Civic Engagement), to the Aurora Annual Conference in Paris last May, and he joined the Aurora Board meeting this week to discuss Sussex’s new affiliation with Aurora. The University of Sussex plans to work towards full membership in 2026-27 once details of the UK’s re-association to the Erasmus programme are agreed. Full membership would open further opportunities for joint research projects, collaborative education initiatives, and enhanced student and staff mobility across Europe.”

We look forward to building meaningful collaboration with University of Sussex across the Aurora community in Europe and globally.

Aurora Endorses Joint Amendments to Next Erasmus+ Programme

Written by Chiara Cardigliano on . Posted in News.

Aurora Endorses Joint Amendments to Next Erasmus+ Programme

Aurora Universities has formally endorsed a set of joint amendments to the European Commission’s proposal for the Erasmus+ programme 2028-2034, which will be submitted to EU policymakers as they consider the legislative text for the next programme period.

This collaboration calls for greater flexibility and ambition in the next Erasmus+ cycle and reaffirms the key role of Erasmus+ in developing the European Education Area alongside the Union of Skills. The amendments were developed in collaboration with 16 other European higher education organisations. Together, the 17 signatories represent Europe’s universities, higher education institutions, student organisations and stakeholders.

A central demand is increased investment in Erasmus+. The organisations call for at least €60 billion for the 2028-2034 period with a guaranteed budget share of 34.6% for higher education. The amendments also address programme governance and third-country association, including the UK and Switzerland. They include support for students and staff at risk and a sustained role for European Universities Alliances in international cooperation.

 

Read the full cover letter here and detailed amendments here.