Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General, welcomes 2025 with a message centered on the future of Aurora, its vision and the commitment of the Aurora community. 

As 2025 unfolds, two words come to mind: enrichment and transformation.

Aurora is built on European and global collaboration between higher education institutions working collectively toward a shared vision: combining academic excellence with societal relevance.

Through high trust and close cooperation, we enrich our experiences, broaden our perspectives, and influence impactful policies in education, research, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Together, we achieve more than any single university could accomplish alone.

Aurora universities create opportunities for students, staff and faculty:

• To enrich teaching, learning, and research across borders and disciplines.
• To travel abroad, embrace change, and discover new cultures.
• To foster societal innovation through the power of trust and collaboration.

Aurora is a laboratory for transformation, a space where we cultivate research, leverage technology, and ensure equal access to higher education for all.

2025 marks a pivotal year of transformation for Aurora. Highlights include:

• Our first International Peace Conference.
• The launch of our second annual Call for Incentive Research Collaboration.
• The seizmic Awards, celebrating student-led social business projects.
• The Workshop on Blended Intensive Programmes at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona
• The ongoing legacy of our Aurora Research and Innovation (R&I) programme, and, last but not least,
• The Aurora Annual Conference hosted by the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) in Paris.

Aurora is also stepping up its European engagement, advocating for more Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and highlighting the importance of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in Horizon Europe’s successor, FP10. We are proud to support initiatives like FOR-EU4All.

At the heart of these transformations are the people who make them happen. The shared passion and commitment of our Aurora community to societal impact and transformation is truly inspiring.

2025 promises to be an exciting year – stay tuned!

Ramon Puras
Aurora Secretary General

Open all year round, the seizmic AWARDS is part of the social entrepreneurship and innovation activities being developed within the Aurora 2030 programme. Led by Copenhagen Business School (CBS), the AWARDS is an opportunity to recognise the creativity and innovation of students and early-stage social entrepreneurs. 

 This year, the seizmic AWARDS received a total of 45 submissions from across the globe. Projects submitted are built on the seizmic APP, an open access tool for all social entrepreneurs who aim to transform their business ideas into reality.

“We started the seizmic AWARDS with a shared passion for making a positive impact,” explains Kai Hockerts, professor at CBS and seizmic project coordinator. “The diversity and innovation in the submissions reflect the collective drive for positive change worldwide. Congratulations to every participant who contributes to building a better future.”

Truly inspired by the quality of the social entrepreneurship projects submitted this year, the expert jury faced the challenging task of selecting the 2024 winners. After two rounds of jury selections, the following projects won the seizmic AWARDS 2024:

To access their full business model on Babele, you first need to create a user profile. Follow this step-by-step guide. 

First Place: thisABILITY

Team: Victor Ilic, Mathias Brun, Benjamin Eriksen, Augustas Skarbalius and Svend Hahn Larsen (Copenhagen Business School)
Discover the business model.

thisABILITY is a social enterprise dedicated to raising awareness about invisible disabilities through interactive exhibitions that allow people to experience what living with such conditions feels like. In Denmark, approximately 20% of the population lives with an invisible disorder, and the challenges they face are significant. Currently, 340,000 individuals with disabilities are unemployed, with one in three young people from this group lacking a job or education – compared to less than one in ten among those without disabilities. This disparity negatively impacts the life satisfaction of individuals with hidden disabilities and costs the Danish government up to 6 billion DKK annually (approximately 800 million euros).

Runner-up: Empowering local businesses

Team: Anna Rumenova, Daniel Türk, Stijn van Meerten, Miles del Prete, Lea Marie Adams (ESADE, Spain)
Discover the business model.

The objective is to build a sustainable business that empowers local shops by providing a digital platform to connect with both local and global customers. This social enterprise addresses a pressing social challenge: small local businesses often struggle to compete with online retail giants like Amazon. These businesses typically lack the resources, technical skills, and support necessary to establish a strong online presence, leaving them vulnerable to losing local customers to larger platforms. This trend weakens local economies, reduces the diversity of retail options and erodes respect for small businesses.

Runner-up: Synergy Hydrogen Solutions

Team: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), Netherlands
Discover the business model.

To address the issue of excess electricity during periods of high production and low demand, the project proposes using this surplus to produce hydrogen gas. Currently, wind turbines are often shut off because the power grid cannot accommodate the excess electricity, hindering the continuation of large solar and wind energy projects. Building local hydrogen plants can harness the full potential of existing green power sources, free up capacity for new renewable installations, and create green hydrogen fuel for mobility and various other applications.

Curious about the seizmic AWARDS 2025?

Submissions are now open! Go to seizmic AWARDS.

The Social Business Model Panorama helps in navigating each step in the development of an impactful project. To find out more, contact: seizmic@cbs.dk.

The Aurora Virtual Autumn Summit brought together academic minds to reflect on the achievements of the Aurora Research and Innovation (R&I) Programme and to chart its course toward the future. The plenary session, “The Legacy of Aurora R&I Programme: Reflecting on the Past, Empowering the Present, Shaping the Future,” offered an insightful exploration of collaborative research efforts within Aurora universities. This inspiring event highlighted critical themes like open science, shared resources, and strategies for fostering future research collaborations.

A Roadmap for Innovation

Svandís Halldórsdóttir, Head of the Grants Office at the University of Iceland, emphasized the Aurora R&I roadmap’s cornerstone achievements. “This roadmap is built on six core building blocks,” Halldórsdóttir shared, detailing components such as joint online platforms, capacity-building plans, and the creation of open science training modules. She stressed the importance of institutional trust and collaboration, underscoring that Aurora universities have the collective will to innovate together even without substantial funding.

Svandís Halldórsdóttir acknowledged the challenges faced, such as navigating local legislation and addressing structural differences among universities. The feasibility study conducted during the project identified actionable strategies to enhance collaboration. She stated, “The main conclusion was to focus on uniting researchers around funding opportunities and encouraging research support staff to exchange best practices.”

Open Science and the Future

Sander Bosch, Chief Open Science Officer at VU Amsterdam, provided a compelling overview of the progress in open science practices under the Aurora R&I Programme. Bosch cited the UNESCO Open Science framework as foundational, broadening the scope of open science to include not only open access to knowledge but also increased collaboration and inclusivity. “Open science is a value-driven framework that aligns perfectly with Aurora’s mission,” he remarked.

Bosch showcased innovations like the Aurora Open Science Monitor and training programs that aim to make open science practices accessible for early-career researchers. He highlighted the importance of sustainable tools and increased community involvement in firmly establishing these practices within Aurora’s institutions.

Building Research Communities

Professor Guðmundur Hálfdánarson of the University of Iceland emphasized the critical role of fostering academic collaboration. Reflecting on Aurora’s journey, he highlighted the need to move beyond administrative coordination to actively engaging academics in shared research endeavors. “We must involve the academic community and make Aurora a part of their daily lives,” Hálfdánarson asserted, pointing to new initiatives like summer schools and collaborative research projects as steps in the right direction.

The roundtable discussions reinforced these sentiments, with participants agreeing that fostering trust and creating real-life opportunities for collaboration are key to building a robust Aurora research community.

A Shared Vision for 2030

The summit closed with a look toward Aurora 2030, the ambitious next phase. A focus on sustaining and expanding the tools, networks, and practices established under the R&I Programme was at the forefront. As one participant aptly summarized, “The most important outcome of this project is the trust we’ve built. That trust is the leverage we need to share more than strengths—it’s the foundation for shared resources and a unified vision.”

The Aurora Virtual Autumn Summit demonstrated that Aurora is more than a collaboration; it is a community united by a shared commitment to advancing research and education for societal benefit. Watch a recap of the summit on YouTube.

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) recently showed its dedication to student advocacy and international collaboration at the European Students’ Union (ESU) Conference of Student Bodies of the European Alliances of higher education institutions.

Representing Aurora were four student leaders: Mathilde, ASC President and Andrea, ASC General Secretary, both from the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Sören, ASC Vice President from Copenhagen Business School, and Simona of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice. Their participation highlighted the council’s commitment to working together and sharing ideas with student leaders from other European university alliances.

The ESU is an organisation of 44 National Unions of Students (NUS) from 40 countries. Since 1982, it has been standing up for students’ rights across European countries. It organized the conference to bring together student representatives from all over Europe. ESU focuses on working with key institutions like the European Union, the Bologna Follow-up Group, the Council of Europe, and UNESCO. Some of its recent projects include addressing the EU Commission’s European Degree proposal, supporting students at risk, improving Erasmus+ programmes, and promoting equal access to education.

Strong Student Representation on the European Agenda

Over 100 students from 30 alliances attended the three-day conference, which focused on common challenges and opportunities for student representation. The first two days featured speakers who explained important topics like the Bologna Process and the European Commission’s agenda for higher education. Students joined round table discussions to share their experiences and discuss solutions to common problems. Furthermore, they came up with ideas to strengthen student involvement in European university alliances.

“These kinds of conferences are incredibly empowering,” said Mathilde. “They allow us to learn from the best practices of other student councils. They also enable us to recognise our strengths and weaknesses, and work to improve them.”

Simona, Aurora student representative, agreed. “It was very enriching to gather with student representatives from different European university alliances. We exchanged experiences in addressing similar problems that impact students in different universities. This conference was just a beginning of a very important cooperation.”

The ESU Conference provided an opportunity for students to connect, exchange ideas, and work toward common goals. The Aurora Student Council’s active involvement showed their commitment to making a positive impact and building stronger partnerships across Europe.

Hosted by the University Federico II of Naples (UNINA), the fourth edition of the seizmic Hackathon “Re-thinking Food Systems in the Anthropocene” is one of the most consolidated training initiatives by the social entrepreneurship and innovation team at Aurora universities. Part of seizmic activities, the hackathon is the culmination of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) organised by UNINA, in partnership with Copenhagen Business School, University of Iceland, University Rovira i Virgili and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

From 21 to 25 October 2024, 50 students from Aurora universities visited Naples and the surrounding rural areas, Pietraroja and Morcone (in the province of Benevento). Thanks to the collaboration with Mario Festa, architect and President of the Rural Design for the Regeneration of Territories association (Ru.De.Ri.), the students were able to visit interesting examples of the regeneration of urban green areas and social promotion such as the orchard maintained by N’sea Yet in Viviani Park and Quartiere Intelligente in Naples.

Assessing Systemic Change

Coordinated by Ramon Rispoli, Adam Arvidsson, Benedetta Toledo and Nunzia Ambrosino, the aim of the seizmic Hackathon workshop was to develop design proposals for the transformation of food production and distribution systems in the Campania region. Students from diverse disciplines like Design, Business, Social Sciences, and Environmental Sciences, fostered a transdisciplinary dialogue to address the potential of real, systemic change within the region.

Through various field trips, students learnt more about local agriculture and tasted local food products. Chefs Peppe Zullo and Annamaria Mastrantuono delighted all participants with their exquisite regional cuisine. These field experiences enabled students to question the new role that particularly fragile rural areas – such as those in the Campania hinterland – could play in reorienting the food chain towards ecological compatibility and social justice.

seizmic Hackathon: A Comprehensive Programme

As a BIP funded by the Erasmus+ programme, the seizmic Hackathon workshop was divided into virtual and in-person components. Both components consisted of lectures which covered the following topics:

• Anthropocene by Adam Arvidsson, full professor of Sociology, UNINA.
• Re‐thinking the City Through Food, and Design for Social Innovation by Ramon Rispoli, associate professor of Design, UNINA.
• Consumer Input in Designing Sustainable Food Supply Chains by Laurence Beierlein, visiting professor from Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC).
• Social Innovation and Food Waste by Nunzia Ambrosino and Benedetta Toledo, PhD students, UNINA.
• How to Integrate a Community In a Social Innovation Project by Marco Cecere, architect and designer, Avventura di Latta.
• Introduction to Naples Markets by Adam Arvidsson, and Eugenia Santoro, researcher, UNINA.
• Glocalizing Food: The Informal Kitchens of Piazza Garibaldi by Dario Minervini, Cristina Trey and Najoua El Kasmi.

After a week of lectures, field trips and intense group work, the students presented their systemic design proposals for rethinking food systems in the Campania Region before the Final Jury composed of Laurence Beierlein, Dario Catania and Luca Esposito. These projects will be part of the seizmic Awards 2024, a competition organised by Copenhagen Business School to promote creative and innovative social entrepreneurs.

To learn more about the seizmic Hackathon course content and discover its activities in detail, as well as staying up-to-date on the next editions, follow the seizmic Hackathon instagram page @hackathon_aurora_dbe.

Over 40 educators, researchers, administrators, and students from seven Aurora partner universities – Palacký University Olomouc, Universität Innsbruck, University of Duisburg-Essen, Université Paris-Est Créteil, University of Iceland, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, and University Federico II of Naples —came together for a week to collaborate during the combined Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for staff and students.

Sustainability Meets Culture: Interdisciplinary Insights and Engaging Dialogues Between Research Groups

The Educational Hubs meeting unveiled surprising commonalities among otherwise distinct disciplines. Members of the Sustainability and Climate Change group discovered valuable intersections with the Culture: Diversities and Identities group, leading to engaging discussions on topics such as ecocriticism and the management of natural resources. Notably, the connection between ecological farming, fertilizer management, and literary studies highlighted the synergies between environmental issues and cultural narratives.

The first four days of the week focused on multidisciplinary projects and initiatives in research and teaching, addressing themes like Cooperative Online International Learning (COIL) and the development of new bilateral partnerships. Janette Walde, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs at UIBK, expressed her excitement about the wealth of ideas generated in such a short timeframe. “It’s incredible how many implementation opportunities can emerge in such a short period!” Prof. Barbara Buchenau from UDE added, “The stunning backdrop of the Austrian mountains and the serenity of the surroundings allowed us to harness the power of nature and gain fresh scientific insights.”

Concise, compelling, and convincing: The 3MT competition showcases the art of science communication

A diverse and international group of students participated in training sessions on science communication, practicing the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) presentation style developed at the University of Queensland. In this challenging format, participants present their research in just three minutes, supported by a single static slide and their voice. Under the guidance of science communication experts Suzanne Whitby, Stéphane Kenmoe, Melanie Bartos, and Toby Wikström, the students transformed their initial, uncertain attempts into clear and engaging presentations.

The event culminated on Friday, October 25, in a competition where an international jury evaluated the students’ 3MT presentations and conducted an online voting for an audience award. In front of a multidisciplinary audience, the finalists showcased remarkable expressiveness and communication skills. Marharyta Hodeieva from UPOL (“Healing Through Stories”), Juliette Direur from UPEC (“Can Breathing Be Dangerous?”), and Stéphanie Chedid from UPEC (“Transporting: Plants to Planes”) all received jury awards, with the latter also winning the audience award.

This event not only showcased the exceptional talent and creativity of Master’s and PhD students but also highlighted the power of collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. The connections made and insights gained during this week will undoubtedly inspire future projects and partnerships within Aurora and beyond.

Photogallery

On September 24, the second Aurora Capacity Development Training Event of the year took place in Kosice, Slovakia. The training focused on “Diversity and Inclusion – Ways Forward in Fostering Inclusive and Enriching Practices and Policies at Aurora Universities.”

The event gathered 65 participants, including senior management, faculty, staff, and students from Pavol Jozef Šafárik University (UPJS) as well as representatives from South-West University “Neofit Rilski.”

The interactive training program, led by colleagues from UPOL, UPEC, and VU, along with UPJS experts and students, aimed to open dialogue on promoting inclusive practices and policies at Aurora universities and in broader society.

The day began with a welcome from UPJS Vice-Rector Silvia Rucinska. Selma Porobic and Oleksandr Khyzhniak followed with an introduction to Aurora’s 2030 goals and values of inclusion and diversity. Then, Vice-Rector Rucinska then outlined UPJS’s approach to diversity, highlighting achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement.

An expert panel discussion titled “Diversity and Inclusion at Aurora Universities – Trend or Transformation?” followed. Leadership from three Aurora universities, including Ludmila Elbert (UPJS), Zelmira Macejova (UPJS), Jozef Benka (UPJS), Pavlina Flajsarova (UPOL), and Puneet Bindlish (VU Amsterdam), shared insights on creating inclusive learning environments and discussed challenges and progress at their institutions.

In the afternoon, two interactive workshops were held. The student session, “Student Peer Learning on Diversity and Intercultural Competencies,” led by Mathilde Chaumont (UPEC) and Simona Gibalova (UPJS), focused on enhancing intercultural competencies and building a more diverse learning environment. The faculty workshop, “Educational Practices and Mixed Classroom Approach,” moderated by Pavlina Flajsarova (UPOL) and Ingrid Madárová (UPJS), explored strategies for inclusive teaching.

The day concluded with a wrap-up session and follow-up plans to strengthen diversity and inclusion efforts at Aurora universities. Based on the outcomes of the fruitful discussions, Selma Porobic pointed out four steps to create more inclusive learning environments:

1. Develop inclusive policies and decision-making processes.
2. Offer education and training on inclusive curricula and teaching methods.
3. Build inclusive campus cultures through events and student activities.
4. Ensure resources, such as spaces and technology, support inclusion.

Therefore, the event emphasized the importance of sustained focus on diversity and inclusion, with further CDP events planned for 2025.

For more information, including the program and speakers, visit:
https://www.upjs.sk/en/information/international-relations/aurora-alliance/diversity-and-inclusion/

Aurora, a network of like-minded research-intensive universities, continues its mission to promote collaboration and dialogue among students across the continent. With a deep commitment to advancing higher education, Aurora empowers students to engage in projects that drive social impact and equip them with the skills needed to address global challenges, emphasising sustainability, innovation, and cross-cultural understanding. 

As part of its efforts to strengthen student involvement, the Aurora Student Council (ASC) has introduced a fresh group of student leaders who will guide the Council’s activities for the upcoming year of 2025. The new members will bring renewed energy and vision to the Council’s work by focusing on creating inclusive and diverse student-led initiatives that align with Aurora’s core values.

Mathilde Chaumont: The New Face of  Student Leadership 

Mathilde Chaumont takes on the prestigious role of President of the Aurora Student Council, embodying the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity that Aurora seeks to promote. With her clear vision and dedication, Mathilde aims to cultivate a sense of unity among students while driving forward important initiatives. In her candidacy, she said: “It would be an honour to represent the ASC and ensure our students’ voices are heard.” 

Sören Daehn: Supporting Innovation as Vice President 

As Vice President, Sören Daehn will work closely with Mathilde to implement the Council’s initiatives and provide strategic direction. His role will be critical in ensuring the council’s smooth operation. He states, “My vision for the vice presidency is, together with the president, to ensure that the ASC and students’ interests are represented, heard and considered on a strategic Aurora-wide level.” 

Andréa Gaucher: Ensuring Transparency as Secretary 

As Secretary, Andréa Gaucher will oversee the Council’s organizational activities, ensuring transparency and effective communication between the student body and university leadership. Her contributions will be key to maintaining transparency within the council and managing student feedback efficiently. 

Paula Mora: Amplifying the Student Voice as Communications Officer 

Paula Mora, as the Communications Officer, will be responsible for amplifying the work of the Aurora Student Council across various platforms, ensuring students remain informed and engaged. Her role will  also be crucial in connecting students with opportunities and encouraging them to participate in Aurora’s diverse range of activities. Therefore, the Aurora Student Council remains committed to representing students’ diverse interests across the Aurora network, creating an inclusive environment where students can thrive academically and personally.

With this new leadership in place, the council is well-positioned to continue fostering unity. Follow the Aurora Student Council’s Instagram to track their latest initiatives and get involved in shaping the future of higher education! 

In the vibrant city of Toulouse, France, the 2024 EAIE (European Association of International Education) conference for higher education professionals spotlighted Aurora universities. From September 17 to 20, over 7,300 global participants gathered to enhance transnational educational cooperation.

The Aurora community contributed to three sessions, each addressing key themes in shaping higher education’s future: fostering mutual benefits through African partnerships, exploring global opportunities, and championing sustainability literacy across university alliances. This event reaffirmed Aurora’s commitment to innovation and collaboration in the global education landscape. The sessions included:

Partnerships with Africa: How to Unlock Mutual Benefits at the Internationalisation of European Universities Alliances: the new frontiers side event.

Hosted by the Université de Toulouse and la Région Occitanie, the Internationalisation of European Universities Alliances side event examined the reasons and methods by which European Universities alliances establish strategic partnerships with universities and stakeholders within and outside the European Union. Across the sessions, European universities’ alliances discussed their internationalisation strategies and approaches and presented case studies on how alliances can forge successful international connections.

The “Partnerships with Africa: How to Unlock Mutual Benefits” panel session, held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 11:40 to 12:45, included Laurent Thevenet, the Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at Université Paris-Est Cretéil. Laurent Thevenet highlighted the need for structured exchange programs to enrich educational opportunities as African students often study in Europe individually. Equally vital is enhancing European students’ experiences in Africa, using initiatives like the real-life learning lab as a practical framework. Increasing intra-African mobility, currently limited, is crucial. Laurent stated, “We must work collaboratively to establish exchange programs and enhance cross-mobility both to and within Africa.”

The session, recorded for later viewing, further addressed challenges in forming partnerships between European and African universities, advocating for diversity and inclusion by engaging a geographically diverse set of African partners and embracing linguistic diversity. Building equitable partnerships requires moving beyond university rankings, focusing on existing collaborations, and supporting African initiatives through funding and research opportunities. Supporting African early career researchers through these partnerships is vital, enabling them to gain valuable experience and contribute positively to their home countries upon returning.

Unlocking Global Opportunities: Outreach Programmes at European University Alliances

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 13:30 to 14:30, the session Unlocking Global Opportunities: Outreach Programmes at European University Alliances delved into the global dimension of European University Alliances. This session was organized by the chairs of ‘Non-EU partnerships’ ForEU2 working group and featured Selma Porobic, Aurora institutional coordinator at Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL), as well as speakers from EUNICE and UNITA.

Selma Porobic presented the results of a survey of 18 alliances on their geopolitical strategy for non-EU collaborations and inclusivity programmes for migrants and refugees. She highlighted the different approaches to non-EU partnerships as an important ambition of all the surveyed Alliances, with one-third of Alliances already pursuing non-EU partnerships. Selma shared noticeable trends in approaches:  “The interest is mostly expressed towards US and Canada, and then Ukraine, and the Western Balkans countries. One major obstacle is, of course, ineligibility of EUIs funding for the associate partners and existing disconnection between the available EU funds to support these pioneering efforts.”

Selma also presented the existing support programmes for integration of migrants and refugees across the Alliances which demonstrated the key focus of these being on the efforts to integrate Ukrainian refugees. These were mostly supported by institutional funding, with only universities in Poland receiving targeted government support.

How European University Alliances are Spearheading Sustainability Literacy for All

Held on Friday, September 20, from 10:30 to 11:30, featuring Christina Raab, Jo Angouri from the University of Warwick (EUTOPIA), and Alexsi Vauhkonen from the University of Helsinki (Una Europa). They explored how European University Alliances tackle similar challenges in developing “Global Challenges” into innovative, scalable, and sustainable formats for students, researchers, and administration. This effort is crucial for a thriving European Higher Education and Research Area. Echoing Einstein’s wisdom, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them,” the session highlighted how these initiatives are successfully creating innovations in learning, teaching, and research, equipping students with essential skills and mindsets.

As the EAIE conference concluded, Aurora universities’ contributions left a lasting impact on the global higher education community. The discussions emphasized the transformative potential of educational landscapes, promoting mutual benefits and cross-border collaborations. The insights from this conference continue to inspire efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected academic future.