Aurora Launches Call for Incentive Research Collaboration

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

In the wake of the Aurora 2030 Kick-off in November 2023, the Aurora European University alliance further consolidates its scientific and academic collaboration among member institutions by building an Aurora Research and Innovation community.  

Building on the progress from the first phase of Aurora, this Call for Incentive Research Projects, Thematic Summer Schools and Early-stage Researcher Mobilities is part of Aurora 2030 Work Package 5: Enhancing Quality of Research through an Aurora Research and Innovation (R&I) Community, and therefore aims to foster a fertile environment for the excellent quality of research and research collaboration through shared values and practices within Aurora. 

“During its first phase, Aurora universities have successfully set up an inventory of research infrastructures that they are ready to share for common research,” says Matthias Beekmann, Director of Observatoire des Sciences de l’univers at Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) and Task Team 5.2 Leader on Academic Collaboration and Community Building. “With the incentive call launched today, we want to go a big step forward in bringing researchers from Aurora together.” 

Indeed, through common research activities and mobility actions, the present Call will continue to strengthen the relationships among researchers and scientific communities within member institutions and raise awareness about R&I activities and Aurora on a much broader academic level.  

Driving Research for Education and Societal Impact 

Harnessing collective knowledge from the Aurora scientific community enhances the quality of research and, thus, increases its ability to address key world challenges and make a positive and sustainable societal impact in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With this vision in mind, the present Call welcomes applications in research disciplines and topics that fall within the five Aurora 2030 educational hubs: Sustainability & Climate Change, Digital Society & Global Citizenship, Health & Wellbeing, Culture: Diversities & Identities, and Social Entrepreneurship. Going further than this, the Call is open to all research disciplines as long as the proposed project fosters real new collaboration.  

 To continue growing the next generation of Aurora academics prepared to conduct research, impart knowledge and catalyze change in a meaningful and durable way, this Call intends to create opportunities and incentives for both early-stage and established academics by supporting three types of key actions:  

  • Incentive and Collaborative Research Projects
    This action supports concrete exploratory research activities that emphasise the complementarity of competencies and approaches gained from the expected collaboration between researchers of different Aurora member institutions. 
  • Thematic Summer Schools
    This action comprises opportunities for career development, knowledge-sharing and network/community-building through thematic disciplinary training for early-stage researchers. 
  • Short-term Research Secondments for Early-stage Researchers 
    This action boosts researchers’ skill set by supporting short-term mobility of up to three months in a research laboratory or unit of an Aurora 2030 full-member institution. 

The Building Blocks of the Aurora Research and Innovation Community  

Raised on the foundation of collaboration between nine higher education institutions in Europe, today Aurora officially releases its Call for Incentive Research Projects, Thematic Summer Schools and Early-stage Researcher Mobilities, one of the building blocks towards an Aurora R&I Community. The deadline for submission runs until 12 pm (CET) on April 30, 2024.  

Introducing the Aurora Student Council

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

The Aurora Student Council, a thriving community of students within the Aurora member university ecosystem, is passionately committed to fostering growth, unity, and progress in Higher Education. With their vibrant cultural diversity and unwavering community spirit, universities transcend being mere educational institutions. The Council serves as a catalyst for student-led initiatives and community engagement, with a mission to foster a diverse and inclusive community that nurtures inter-European transversal collaboration.

At Aurora, we are fully committed to fostering an environment that nurtures the growth and contributions of all our students. Our unwavering dedication to diversity and inclusion is the cornerstone of our mission, creating a strong sense of community and belonging. Together, we build a brighter future!

The student representation within Aurora encompasses four crucial elements:

  • Prioritizing a student-focused approach through cooperation
  • Actively participating in developing and implementing student initiatives such as the Student Schemes
  • Sharing experiences to enhance university student representation
  • Engaging in external events on behalf of Aurora

Members of the Aurora Student Council (ASC) play a pivotal role in representing their institution and safeguarding the interests of their student body. Their responsibilities include effectively communicating Aurora’s operations and opportunities to their university’s student population, promoting the Student Schemes, and actively participating in monthly council meetings. ASC members are expected to organize local events that align with Aurora’s vision, maintain contact with students involved in the Student Schemes, and may seize opportunities to represent Aurora at external events, both locally and globally. Overall, ASC members are vital contributors to the collaborative decision-making process within the Student Council, ensuring effective student representation and engagement.

We welcome you to connect with the student council on Instagram to stay updated and engaged with our activities. Join our vibrant social media community today and stay informed about the latest developments.

Aurora 2030 – Kicking off a New Era of Collaboration

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

At the end of November 2022, an extraordinary event unfolded at the University of Iceland, ushering in a new era of collaboration within Aurora and the higher education sector. The kick-off of the Aurora 2030 project marked a milestone in the journey of the Aurora European university alliance – a consortium of nine member universities and four Associate Partner universities across Europe. This alliance is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration, co-creation, and social responsibility within academia.

The Aurora 2030 project, an ambitious chapter in this alliance’s narrative, commenced with immense enthusiasm and a promise of great potential. It embarks on a mission to redefine educational practices, foster social entrepreneurship, and confront societal challenges head-on.

Notably, the University of Iceland has been honoured with the leadership role in this alliance and received a significant grant from the European Commission, amounting to approximately seventeen per cent of the total 14 million Euros. This substantial investment will undoubtedly expedite efforts to revolutionise teaching and learning methodologies and nurture future socially conscious innovators and entrepreneurs.

According to Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland and President of Aurora, the primary goal of the Aurora cooperation is to provide students with an education that cultivates the mindset and proficiencies of social entrepreneurs and innovators, equipping them to tackle society’s most pressing global challenges. Jón Atli Benediktsson made this declaration as he formally kicked off the new phase of cooperation in the University’s Ceremonial Hall.

The Aurora 2030 project embodies the essence of interdisciplinary approaches in education, research, and social innovation to equip students to address global challenges. It aims to enhance research support, particularly for early-career researchers, through international cooperation and resource sharing. The alliance also seeks to strengthen partnerships with higher education institutions worldwide to foster diverse research and collaborative initiatives, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. Emphasizing sustainability aligned with the European Union’s 2030 goals and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Aurora 2030 sets ambitious targets for sustainable education, research, collaboration, and institutional practices, with a focus on creating a sustainable campus.

Let us take a moment to acknowledge this significant milestone. It marks the culmination of past efforts and signifies the dawning of an inspiring new chapter. As we forge into the future, we do so with anticipation and excitement, confident in our collective ability to make meaningful societal contributions through exceptional education.

If you wish to rewatch the live stream, you can find it here.
Please find a visual recap of the kick-off here.

Looking Back at the Aurora Fall Biannual 2023

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in News.

On October 17th and 18th, Palacký University Olomouc, located in Olomouc, Czechia, hosted the Aurora Fall Biannual 2023. The event served as a unifying platform, bringing together more than 200 participants from 18 universities within the Aurora community and beyond.

The Fall Biannual event centred around reflecting on Aurora’s notable accomplishments as a part of the European Universities initiative. These European developments took centre stage in the plenary sessions and panels:

  1. Aurora Pilot Phase: Aurora Model Alliance?
  2. The impact and role of European Universities on the future of Higher Education in Europe
  3. Alliance Exchange – Balancing Education, Research Innovation and Social Responsibility
  4. Toward student-centred European University Alliances

Rector Tetyana Kaganovska, who was a panel member during the Aurora Model Alliance plenary session, underscored the belief of the Aurora community in Karazin Kharkiv University. This confidence breathed new life into their commitment to advancing online education. The message “our colleagues believe in us” ignites a glimmer of hope, inspiring their community to persevere and celebrate even the smallest triumphs.

Aurora’s commitment to sustainability was also highlighted during the event, with an opening presentation and plenary session dedicated to Aurora’s work on making our community greener and more sustainable.

Collaboration within Aurora was further strengthened by the momentous signing of a Memorandum of understanding on the sharing of research infrastructure, as well as the signing of the second version of the Multilateral Aurora Mobility Agreement (MAMA).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next to the retrospective of Aurora’s remarkable accomplishments, the Aurora community came together to look forward to the exciting prospects that lie ahead. Participants also engaged in thought-provoking Thematic sessions on prominent Aurora topics such as COIL, the Aurora Competence Framework, and Technology Transfer.  

Want to relive the biannual or catch up on any sessions you missed? You can watch the recordings of the plenary sessions below:

🎥 17/10/2023 –  Day 1

🎥 18/10/2023 –  Day 2

The full photo gallery of the biannual can be downloaded here.

Aurora’s MoU on Sharing Infrastructure and Resources paves the way for research collaboration

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Calls, News.

Aurora Fall Biannual 2023 witnessed a momentous occasion on October 17th, with the Aurora Research Infrastructure and Resources Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing. This event marked a significant commitment to research collaboration among thirteen esteemed Aurora universities, including the Aurora Associate partners and Université Paris-Est Créteil.

The purpose of the MoU is twofold. Firstly, it serves as a definitive statement of intent from partner universities to engage in research cooperation, with a specific focus on Aurora’s mission and pilot domains. By doing so, it aims to facilitate seamless access to shared resources for researchers within the alliance. Secondly, these universities aim to fortify their global research standing by working closely together. By promoting international cooperation across a diverse range of research areas, they aspire to exchange research resources and data with fellow research groups.

This collaborative endeavour not only underscores the commitment of Aurora Universities to advance research but also showcases their determination to foster a richer culture of global research collaboration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those interested in exploring the MoU in detail, a publicly accessible version is available here. This document showcases the commitment of universities to research collaboration and global knowledge sharing. Access the MoU

Aurora welcomes its universities to contribute their research infrastructure resources. By sharing resources and knowledge, you enrich your institution and engage with a global community of research excellence. Ready to join this collaborative effort? Add your research infrastructure resources here.

Seminar “Conducting transdisciplinary research (PhD)”

Written by unina on . Posted in News.

The Department of Social Sciences of the University of Naples Federico II, in collaboration with Aurora Sustainability & Climate Change Pilot Domain, is glad to invite you to the seminar “Conducting transdisciplinary research (PhD)”.

The seminar can be considered a key step in shaping the Aurora Doctorate Schools.

Research is a collaborative journey; seldom is it undertaken in isolation. In today’s landscape, research funding institutions emphasize the importance of transdisciplinary approaches, urging projects to transcend the boundaries of universities, countries, disciplines, geographies, languages, and places. This shift in focus encourages researchers to engage in a collective effort to address complex challenges. However, the path of a doctoral researcher, especially the thesis defence, remains an individual endeavour.

The seminar, guided by Professor Patrik Zapata (University of Gothenburg), will delve into the intricacies of navigating the research world. With a wealth of experience as a director of doctoral studies and an expert supervisor, Professor Zapata brings valuable insights to the discussion.

The seminar will be held at the Department of Social Sciences (Aula Ovale, vico Monte della Pietà, 1, Naples) on November 28th, at 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and online on zoom here.

For more information please download the Flyer.

European Universities Associations Response to Council’s Research Career Recommendations

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

Based on the outcomes of the European Research Policy Agenda Action 4 on research careers and talents, the European Commission has proposed EU Council recommendations regarding the implementation of activities related to research careers and retaining talent.

As part of the university sector Aurora Universities, together with four university associations (EUA, The Guild, Coimbra Group, and YERUN), supports the proposal. Although this proposal is about recommendations to EU Member States, the actual implementation of the activities and use of tools mentioned in the proposal, including the Research Competence Framework, a revised Charter for Researchers, a pension scheme (RESAVER), and an observatory on research careers (ReICO), may not be optimal for the sector. We recommend further steps to include:

  • The presence of enabling framework conditions for institutions and the stability granted by long-term core funding needed for sustainable research careers;
  • Envisioning a holistic and long-term perspective for flexible and multiple career pathways;
  • The empowerment of universities to offer stable and more predictable research careers;
  • And the need to develop the evidence base for monitoring research careers in an open and sustainable manner.

We also conclude that the Charter for Researchers, the Research Competence framework, the HRS4R label and the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment are incentives that should remain voluntary and inspirational. Finally, it should be noted that the voluntary status of the Council Recommendations may lead to further divergence in career pathways and talent retainment strategies between countries already having mechanisms in place versus countries not implementing the recommendations.

The full statement can be read here.

Fostering Community Building through Blended Intensive Programme at Universität Innsbruck

Written by UIBK on . Posted in Events, News, Trainings.

Foster community building: This was the overarching theme of the first Aurora BIP Staff Week, which took place at Universität Innsbruck from October 2-6, 2023. Participants from almost all Aurora partners – coming from both academia and administration – exchanged manifold ideas with colleagues from Universität Innsbruck to develop new activities and projects.

With more than 50 members of staff, the first Aurora Staff Week at Universität Innsbruck was a great success. In different formats and settings, the main topics of Transformative Education, Innovation Management, Societal Engagement, and Internationalization were explored in depth over several days. Best practices from Universität Innsbruck and the Aurora partner universities served as the basis for the exchange, stimulating a mutual dialogue in the sense of peer learning and opening space for creativity and new ideas.

“Personal encounters are incredibly important for a network like Aurora to be filled with life,” emphasises Rector Veronika Sexl, who is responsible for international affairs at Universität Innsbruck. “I am very pleased that so many colleagues, both in-house and from the Aurora partner universities, have actively taken up the invitation to exchange ideas and that new projects are already in the pipeline.” The “matchmaking sessions” were particularly fruitful, where concrete new activities, such as the development of joint courses, could be discussed in individual smaller settings.

First Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) hosted by Universität Innsbruck

The Aurora Staff Week, which was funded and organised as an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), took place in Innsbruck after a virtual exchange of participants in September. For the first time, the Universität Innsbruck served as a hosting institution for the event. The Aurora Staff Week will conclude with a virtual follow-up meeting at the end of October.

BIPs are teaching/learning formats jointly run by several universities and combine virtual components with physical short-term mobility (“blended”). BIPs are a new mobility format embedded in the Erasmus program, implemented as part of the Erasmus program generation 2021-2027. Within Aurora, the general goal is to develop more joint BIPs between Aurora partners in the coming years. These can be used for training as well as teaching purposes.

Aurora signs Joint Statements on the updated NIH Policy Guidance for Subaward

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

Over 85 universities and research-performing organisations, including the Aurora Universities Network (and of its member universities, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Federico II Napoli, University of Iceland, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) signed a joint statement coordinated by KU Leuven on the updated NIH Policy Guidance for Subaward/Consortium that will become active for grants starting as of 1 October 2023.

According to the new policy guidance, such awardees must provide copies of all lab notebooks, all data, and all documentation supporting the research outcomes described in the progress report at least every six months. For EU awardees, this implies legal obstacles (Personal Data Protection Regulations, Clinical Trial Regulations), IPR constraints, issues with using the transferred data by the Pass-Through Entity, increased costs and administrative burden, and a hampered continuation of ongoing grants.

In this statement, the signatories ask the NIH to reconsider implementing these requirements.

For more information, please read this statement. 

Digital Nomads Workshop Sparks Collaborative Action

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

In June 2022, a workshop focused on the growing phenomenon of Digital Nomads within the digital workforce was organised. This collaborative effort between Aurora Universities and the Network Institute at VU Amsterdam served as a forum for European Commission policymakers and early career researchers to discuss how society, employers, and employees can adapt to this new way of working.

The workshop highlighted four key objectives: firstly, to identify the necessary actions from policy-makers and scientists; secondly, to foster connections between researchers and European Commission policy-makers; thirdly, to catalyse research collaborations; and finally, to generate a publicly accessible written report encapsulating the discussions and findings.

The comprehensive white paper titled “Digital Nomads: Opportunities and Challenges for the Future of Work in the Post-Covid Society” emerged as the tangible outcome. This document will inform policy and strategy-making efforts, potentially influencing regulations and Research & Innovation (R&I) calls. It has been shared with policy officers in DG Employment and DG RTD for input and consideration and is scheduled for publication in a semi-scientific journal.

The lessons learnt from this whitepaper underscore the value of engaging early career researchers in EU policymaking related to R&I, given the tangible results that can be derived. However, executing such workshops requires a long-term commitment from organisers and participants alike. While the discussion topic needs to resonate with policymakers to ensure early engagement from the European Commission, the autonomy to choose the topic should lie with the organisers, upholding the principle of academic freedom.

To ensure the participation of early career researchers, a limited travel budget is crucial. In this case, the Network Institute commendably provided about 300 euros per person upon request, facilitating their attendance. This act of generosity highlights the importance of funding in enabling such workshops. As such, a heartfelt appreciation goes out to the Network Institute for their invaluable support and sustained enthusiasm, as well as to all the participants who played a pivotal role in the workshop’s success.