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Simon Fraser University Joins Aurora Universities Network As Global Member

Written by rostanetek on . Posted in News.

On 29 October 2025 in Vancouver, Canada, Aurora officially welcomed Simon Fraser University (SFU) as Global Member, marking a key step in Aurora’s growth as a global network of universities dedicated to societal impact through academic excellence.


From left to right: Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck; Dugan O’Neil, SFU Vice-President Research and Innovation; and Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General

Transatlantic Collaboration Engaged To Global Societal Impact

SFU’s membership strengthens Canadian–European collaboration in higher education and research. In times of global uncertainty, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to academic cooperation, democratic values, and societal engagement. Together, Aurora and SFU will advance work on sustainability, equity-driven inclusion, and educational innovation, connecting regional strengths with global impact.

“Strengthening our relationship with SFU is a major milestone in expanding our global partner network,” said Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck. “We share not only values and visions but also many thematic intersections and opportunities for growth. United by our mission to build bridges and positively shape societal change, we are reinforcing transatlantic cooperation during challenging times.”

“SFU is committed to collaboration across borders as we help build solutions to the global challenges affecting us all,” said SFU President Joy Johnson. “Membership in the Aurora European Universities network allows us to pursue exciting partnerships with leading institutions in Europe. I look forward to strengthening our international engagement while furthering our research and innovation impact.”


Celebrating transatlantic collaboration and commitment to societal impact between Aurora and Simon Fraser University

The Connection Agreement, signed on 29 October 2025 at SFU’s Burnaby campus, formalises the partnership between SFU and Aurora. The signing took place in the presence of Aurora President Veronika Sexl, SFU Vice-President, Research and Innovation Dugan O’Neil, and Aurora Secretary General Ramon Puras.

“This agreement marks an important milestone for Aurora’s global development,” said Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General. “It opens new opportunities for transatlantic collaboration and for turning shared values into meaningful societal impact.”

Strengthening Collaboration Between European University Alliances

Written by rostanetek on . Posted in News.

Duisburg, October 24, 2025 

A strategic meeting was held at The Place Beyond the Bytes Startup Incubator, hosted by Professor Dr. Hannes Rothe. The session brought together representatives from two leading European university alliances: Professor Dr. Jan Kratzer and Rozaliia Pait (ENHANCE Alliance/ TU Berlin) met with Professor Dr. Karen Shire, Petra Günther, and Dr. Tomasz Waliczko (Aurora Universities/ University of Duisburg-Essen) to explore new pathways for collaboration in education, research, and innovation.

 Discussions focused on advancing academic mobility, launching joint research initiatives, and developing short-term mobilities that promote innovation and sustainability. Participants shared a strong commitment to connect students, researchers, and entrepreneurs across Europe and to turn today’s dialogue into concrete actions in the near future.

Aurora Science and Society Team Launches Cycle of Workshops, Trainings and Open Seminars

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

Aurora Science and Society team launches a cycle of workshops, training events and open seminars from November 2025 to May 2026. This cycle of events are designed to foster awareness, skills, and discussion on the practical implementation of Open Science and Citizen Science across Aurora universities.

As part of Aurora 2030 Work Package 10 Impact and Dissemination, this series is organised by Task 10.2 Science and Society, and blends structured learning, hands-on training, and thematic debates. Designed for doctoral candidates, Master students, early-career researchers, and academic staff, these events run for seven months during the academic year 2025-2026. The workshops, trainings and seminars aim to empower attendees with the knowledge, competencies, and ethical awareness needed to integrate Open and Citizen Science practices in research and teaching.

Addressing Key Topics in Open Science and Citizen Science

Co-organised by Università Federico II of Naples and Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), this cycle of events is composed of three types of delivery:

  • Workshop: Offers a comprehensive overview of best practices in Open and Citizen Science, highlighting exemplary projects, innovative community engagement strategies, and the interplay between Open Science, AI, and research innovation.
  • Training: Practical sessions on operational and methodological aspects of Open and Citizen Science.
  • Open seminars: Discussion-based events on broader cultural, ethical, and institutional dimensions.

The events provide attendees exposure to critical topics and skills in FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data, open-source workflows, ethical and legal aspects, open publishing and peer review, and the role of AI and innovation in Citizen Science.

Save the Dates!

Organised once a month beginning November 2025, the Aurora Science and Society team invites attendees to explore best practices, hands-on tools, and discussion with experts across the Aurora network on the following dates:

Workshop – Best Practices in Open Science and Citizen Science: From Principles to Practice
Date: 4 November 2025 at 09:00 – 11:00 CET
Mode: Hybrid

Trainings (from December 2025 to March 2026)

  • Training 1: Managing and Sharing Research Data; FAIRness; Ethics in Citizen Science.
    Date: 18 December 2025 | Mode: Online
  • Training 2: Open-source software and workflows; open licencing; tools for collaborative Citizen Science; open peer review simulation; OA platforms; integrating CS in academic publications.
    Date: January 2026 | Mode: Online
  • Training 3: Open Access publishing; Open Peer Review; Citizen Science communication and public engagement.
    Date: March 2026 | Mode: Hybrid

Open Seminars (from February to March 2026)

  • Seminar 1: Open Data and Open Access in teaching; Citizen Science in higher education.
    Date: February 2026 | Mode: Hybrid
  • Seminar 2: Legal and ethical challenges; data protection; open licensing for community-driven research.
    Date: April 2026 | Mode: Online
  • Seminar 3: The role of Open and Citizen Science in AI and innovation; practical examples of AI in CS projects.
    Date: May 2026 | Mode: In-person during the Aurora Annual Conference at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Registration is mandatory for all sessions.

 

The Aurora Science and Society cycle of events is an initiative to build an active, interconnected community of practice within Aurora, strengthening collaboration, mutual learning, and our shared commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and societal relevance in research.

Aurora Course Design Retreat Strengthens Collaboration and Innovation in Education

Written by Sharon Feijen on . Posted in News.

From 15 to 17 October, dozens of academics from across Europe gathered at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for the Aurora Course Design Retreat and Academic Matchmaking. Over three days, participants worked together to design new joint educational initiatives within the Aurora universities – from campus-based courses and micro-credentials to a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).

Welcome by Jeroen Geurts, Rector Magnificus at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The event was one of the initiatives in the broader Aurora 2030 programme, which is part of the European Universities Initiative launched by the European Commission aimed at achieving high-quality education with societal impact. It offered professors a unique opportunity to co-create, exchange ideas, and strengthen partnerships around key themes such as sustainability, digitalisation, health and well-being, culture, social entrepreneurship and innovation, and peace education.

Plenary Session: “Doing BIPs well!”

One of the highlights of the Course Design Retreat and Academic Matchmaking event was the plenary session “Doing BIPs well!”, presented by Marina Vives Cabré from Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). Leading the Aurora team working on Enabling Mobility and Exchange, she introduced the new Aurora BIP Handbook – a comprehensive guide for designing and implementing Blended Intensive Programmes.

In her presentation, Vives highlighted how BIPs offer unique opportunities for collaboration among Aurora universities. “Blended Intensive Programmes allow us to bring together students and staff from different countries in innovative short learning formats that reflect our shared values and address global challenges,” said Vives.

The handbook provides practical guidelines, tips, and a timeline for developing BIPs, helping institutions strengthen partnerships and enrich their teaching practices.

 
Marina Vives Cabré launches the Aurora BIP Handbook, a comprehensive guide for developing and organising Blended Intensive Programmes in Aurora universities 

Design, Collaboration and Inspiration

During the Course Design Days, participants worked in thematic groups – such as Sustainability and Climate Change, Digital Society and Global Citizenship, and Peace Education – to develop potential inter- and transdisciplinary micro-credentials and joint courses.

There was also room for inspiration: workshops on teaching methods, presentations of successful Aurora course formats, and a contribution from VU Amsterdam’s own A Broader Mind Course, which exemplifies interdisciplinary learning in practice.

Building the Future of European Education Together

The event marked an important step in advancing the Aurora Educational Hubs and followed earlier gatherings in Tarragona and Paris. Participants left Amsterdam with new ideas, collaboration plans, and concrete course designs.

The Aurora Course Design Retreat and Academic Matchmaking event demonstrated how cross-border cooperation leads to innovative education – and how the Aurora community is jointly building a more connected, sustainable, and inclusive future for European higher education.

Aftermovie

A Conversation With Larissa Jenewein and Ramon Rispoli: Continuous Learning and Internationalisation in a Changing World

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

Today, internationalisation in higher education extends far beyond the classical models of mobility. In this Aurora conversation, Marina Vives Cabré speaks with Larissa Jenewein and Ramon Rispoli about how blended opportunities, transdisciplinarity, and co-creation are shaping the future of continuous learning in Europe’s universities.

This discussion was led by Marina Vives Cabré, Internationalisation Projects Officer at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and Lead for the Aurora 2030 Work Package 8 Enabling Mobility and Exchange. She interviewed Larissa Jenewein, Institutional Erasmus+ Coordinator at Universität Innsbruck, and Ramon Rispoli, Associate Professor of Design, Università Federico II of Naples.

Moving Beyond Traditional Models – Beyond the Classical Perspective

For many years, internationalisation in the European context meant long-term Erasmus exchanges, the use of English and English-language training, and physical mobility. But as Vives notes, internationalisation today must be understood as an institutional intentional and ongoing strategy, one that responds to society’s evolving challenges and students’ and professionals’ requests.

This shift is most evident in the rise of Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), short-term mobilities, and virtual exchanges.

Larissa: It gives us so much more space to include target groups who were excluded before in the Erasmus Programme. They were not really (represented) in their scheme, so I think that was actually the original idea of the European Commission to have some alternatives for the people who are not able to do a long-term mobility – like a typical classical semester mobility as we all know – because of so many reasons: health issues, a disability, because of caretaking duties, because they have to work. But now we are at the point where it goes even beyond addressing underrepresented target groups. Now it’s really central for the strategic perspective of institutions.

Inclusivity and Flexibility

For Rispoli, these innovations provide vital flexibility for both students and faculty members. In his own teaching, Rispoli has designed blended courses combining online theory with in-person workshops. His students—often already internationally mobile—benefit from these compact, impactful opportunities. At the same time, he and fellow academics gain the chance to collaborate across institutions without committing to months abroad.

Ramon: It’s especially good for Master students. With a short-term mobility like a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), they avoid spending one semester out of four abroad, which would be a big deal.

Transdisciplinarity and Co-Creation

A recurring theme in the discussion is transdisciplinarity, and highlights the crucial distinction from interdisciplinarity. As Rispoli explains, BIPs open up new ways of designing courses.

Ramon: It’s almost impossible to build real transdisciplinarity within a traditional curriculum, while an intensive week of a BIP plus the online part really gives you the possibility of overcoming traditional disciplinary boundaries.

In interdisciplinarity, you put your expertise on the table. In transdisciplinarity, you build new knowledge by learning from others and questioning your own assumptions. BIPs make this possible by bringing together students from diverse fields—design, engineering, social sciences, medicine, and more.

Larissa: Co-creation enriches the experience even further. When we’re thinking about the BIPS for instance, it’s not only about the exchange of students or professors, but also about the co-creation process of the event, lecture or the seminar itself. So, you also gain intercultural skills, for example.

Transforming Institutions and Looking Ahead

Vives links this to the broader concept of comprehensive internationalisation, where governance, staff, academics, and students all play vital roles in creating more connected, flexible universities. For internationalisation to continue evolving, keywords like flexibility, boundary crossing, co-creation, and openness remain essential.

 

This conversation is part of a series called “A Conversation With…” undertaken within the framework of the Aurora 2030 programme supported by the European Commission. It is an interview format that focuses on a specific topic and is meant to inspire its readers to reflect on and catalyse positive impact. The exchange is available in its original format on the Aurora YouTube channel.

Aurora Showcased at Conference on the Impact of European University Alliances in Prague

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in News.

Collaboration and open exchange are central to progress in European higher education. Opportunities for alliances to share experiences, both nationally and internationally, help strengthen their collective impact. Engaging with governmental bodies together also enables more constructive and aligned dialogue about the future of education and research in Europe.

On Tuesday 7 October, Aurora presented at the Conference on the Impact of European University Alliances, organised in Prague by the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research. The event brought together speakers from several European University Alliances with members in the Czech Republic. Each speaker highlighted the unique strengths and best practices of their alliance.


Marie Jadrnickova, Aurora Research Officer from Palacký University Olomouc, presenting best practices from the Aurora Research and Innovation project. ©Photo credit: Petr Zewlakk Vrabec

Representing Aurora, Marie Jadrnickova, Aurora Research Officer from Palacký University Olomouc was asked to present the alliance’s strong commitment to supporting scientific and research collaboration. Pleased with the recognition for Aurora’s contribution to research and innovation, Marie shared, “It was a pleasure to present Aurora’s best practices and achievements in research collaboration with colleagues from across the Czech Republic and European university alliances.”

Czech governmental representatives — including the Ministry of Education and Youth and the National Accreditation Agency — emphasised the vital role of European university alliances as drivers of change. They also reaffirmed their continued support for these initiatives at both national and European levels.

During the closing panel, representatives agreed that “the European university alliances are changing the perception of international cooperation in the Czech academic sphere — thanks to alliances, for example, there is growing demand for support for joint study programmes, greater flexibility within standard study programmes, and innovative approaches to teaching.”

Events like this conference show the power of shared learning and joint engagement with policymakers. By presenting a unified voice and exchanging practical insights, alliances such as Aurora help shape a more connected, innovative, and forward-looking European higher education area.

Universität Innsbruck Awards Honorary Senatorship to Professor Dr. Jón Atli Benediktsson

Written by UIBK on . Posted in News.

On 17 October 2025, during the “Dies Academicus” celebration at Universität Innsbruck, Professor Dr. Jón Atli Benediktsson, former Rector of the University of Iceland, was awarded the title of Honorary Senator. The distinction recognises his outstanding contributions to academic cooperation and his strong commitment to Aurora. 

Beyond his remarkable academic career, Professor Benediktsson has been a leading voice in shaping the European Higher Education Area. As President of the Aurora network (2020–2024), he played a pivotal role in defining the alliance’s strategic direction. During his presidency, Universität Innsbruck joined the Aurora alliance, greatly enhancing its European and international visibility.

Born in Reykjavik in 1960, Professor Benediktsson earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University (USA) in 1990. He began his career at the University of Iceland in 1991 and became Full Professor in 1996. From 2009 until his appointment as Rector in 2015, he served as Pro-Rector for Science and Academic Affairs.

One of Iceland’s most productive researchers, Professor Benediktsson has published over 400 scientific papers in the fields of remote sensing, image analysis, pattern recognition, machine learning, and biomedical signal processing. He is a Fellow of the IEEE (since 2004) and SPIE (since 2013) and has received numerous awards, including the IEEE Millennium Medal and the Highest Impact Paper Award of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society.

Driving Force Behind Collaborative Initiatives in Aurora

Within Aurora, he has been a driving force behind the creation of joint European teaching and study programs, collaborative research initiatives, and higher education policy positions. Under his leadership, the University of Iceland took on the consortium leadership of Aurora 2030 funded by the European Commission with approximately €15 million, and led the Horizon Europe project Aurora Research & Innovation.

A memorable moment in his collaboration with Universität Innsbruck was his participation in the Aurora Spring Biannual 2022, held in Innsbruck from 10 to 12 May 2022. Together with the then Rector of Innsbruck, he opened the event that brought together over 200 participants from across Europe to shape the future of the alliance.

During his presidency, he also championed Aurora’s solidarity with Ukraine, notably with V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. He played a central role in a fundraising campaign that raised €51,000 to support the continuation of the university’s operations during the war and in establishing the Aurora Karazin University Peace Hub – a platform for peace education and conflict transformation.

This collaboration culminated in the Aurora International Peace Conference, hosted by Universität Innsbruck in February 2025. The high-level event gathered international experts from academia, politics, and civil society to advance dialogue on peacebuilding and further strengthened Innsbruck’s international profile.

Nine Innovative Projects Selected After Second Aurora Call for Incentive and Collaborative Research Projects

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

Launched in December 2024, Aurora’s second Call for Incentive and Collaborative Research Projects received 29 high-quality applications from Aurora universities , gathering the expertise of at least 129 researchers from diverse disciplines. Nine projects were selected to receive funding over the next two years.

The 2025 Call for Incentive and Collaborative Research Projects was undertaken within the framework of  Aurora 2030 Task 5.2 on Academic Collaboration and Community Building.  The objective of this annual call is to further grow research cooperation within Aurora universities, for both young and established academics.

Research proposals were evaluated  based on a challenging list of criteria, which includes  scientific quality, originality and feasibility. In addition, projects must reflect  their added value in their potential to build  scientific communities, and, if relevant for their topic, to contribute to the Aurora Research-driven Educational Hubs.

Innovative Projects Take Center Stage

Following a thorough evaluation process, the Aurora Research Council (ARC) selected nine innovative research projects for a total available funding of €125,000, counting an average of €14,000 per project. Results of the ARC’s evaluation were then confirmed by the Vice-rectors for Research from Aurora universities.

Funded projects will begin in autumn 2025 and run for the next two years. Below is the list of successful projects. Detailed information for each project will be made available soon on this page.

Reinforcing Future Collaboration in Research and Innovation

The results for the Call for Incentive and Collaborative Research Projects 2025 demonstrate the continuous effort to foster tangible, robust and durable scientific and academic collaboration in Aurora universities. Success of these projects and the value of researchers’ scientific work, will enrich the Aurora community, contribute to progress within the Aurora hubs, while also sparking positive impact in response to societal challenges.

Following the success of the two calls, Aurora hopes to secure more funding for this action in the future. The Board of Rectors, with strategic input from the Vice-Rectors for Research and the Vice-Rectors for Education, is actively exploring options for continued institutional support, including the potential allocation of university resources to finance future calls.

Furthermore, strengthening the integration of research and education has been identified as a priority in line with Aurora’s mission. To this end, the next call, planned for 2026, will be more closely aligned with the Aurora Research-Driven Educational Hubs, reinforcing Aurora’s commitment to research-informed teaching and sustainable institutional transformation.

Contact the office of the Aurora Research Council 

Aurora PhD Training Programme Strengthens Research and Communication Skills Across Europe

Written by Sharon Feijen on . Posted in News.

A new joint PhD training programme developed by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Palacký University Olomouc, as part of the Aurora 2030 Capacity Development Support Programme, is equipping researchers at Aurora associate partner universities in Central and Eastern Europe with advanced skills in research and science communication. 

Hands-on Learning Across the Research Spectrum 

Over several intensive sessions, participants engaged in a dynamic mix of hands-on workshops, expert-led seminars, and collaborative exercises. The training covered the full spectrum of research dissemination: from navigating academic publishing to communicating findings beyond university walls. 

“It made me aware that science is not only about producing knowledge, but also about sharing it with people. The combination of learning by doing and networking made this workshop so impactful and helpful for my future career development,” said Mladen Micevski, PhD candidate at South-West University Neofit Rilski (Bulgaria).

A Comprehensive Curriculum 

The programme addressed key areas of modern research practice: 

  • Open Science & AI in Research – Implementing open science practices and exploring the ethical use of AI.
  • Mastering the Literature – Practical strategies for reviewing and synthesizing academic sources.
  • From Paper to Publication – Crafting strong manuscript introductions and understanding editorial expectations.
  • FAIR Data & Software – Applying FAIR principles, archiving data and code, and documenting research effectively.
  • Science Communication & Visibility – Translating complex research for non-academic audiences, writing engaging blog posts, and interacting with media.

Building Connections and Peer Learning 

Beyond skill development, the programme fostered a supportive peer-learning environment, connecting researchers across disciplines and institutions. Participants engaged with global experts, gaining insights into ethical publishing, open-access strategies, and storytelling in science.

“The workshop was an intensive and very engaging experience. The sessions combined theory with practical and hands-on insights on academic writing, open science, and science communication. What I appreciated most was that the workshop offered many useful hints on using digital tools for research and publication, which can be applied immediately in everyday academic work,” said Oleksandr Kryvtsov, PhD candidate at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (Ukraine).

Tools to Enhance Research Impact 

By the end of the programme, participants had a tailor-made toolkit to strengthen both the quality and reach of their research. The initiative not only enhanced publishing and communication skills but also advanced Aurora’s broader mission: promoting knowledge sharing, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and bridging the gap between science and society. 

For more details, the full programme can be found here. 

DUAL Conference 2025: Dichotomies in Urban Agendas and Logics

Written by Rosanna Napolano on . Posted in News.

On 29 and 30 September 2025, the Università Federico II of Naples (UNINA) hosted the Aurora Academic Conference DUAL: Dichotomies in Urban Agendas and Logics, bringing together distinguished scholars, researchers and practitioners. Jointly organised by the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) and UNINA, the conference reflected Aurora network’s commitment to collaborative research and dialogue across European institutions.

Held at the Department of Humanities, the two-day event explored the complexities of urban design, cultural identities, and social well-being. It provided a unique forum for dialogue on how cities embody and negotiate contrasting dynamics between branding and dissent, identity and transformation, and aesthetics and functionality.

The opening session was introduced by Alessandro Arienzo, Aurora Institutional Coordinator and UNINA. His introduction was followed by Francesca Scamardella, Coordinator for Aurora 2030 task team on the Aurora hub for Cultures: Identities and Diversities. For the purpose of the conference, Scamardella framed the upcoming discussions within the broader context of establishing this Aurora hub.

Rich Transversal and Transdisciplinary Sessions

Over the two days, the conference covered four major sessions, and included a keynote lecture that set the tone on the multiple dichotomies existing in cities and urban spaces, that cut across its material, social, political and symbolic dimensions:

Urban Design and Dichotomies

Chaired by Ramon Rispoli, Associate Professor of Design at the Department of Architecture, and Benedetta Toledo, doctoral candidate from UNINA, Session 1 examined “Urban Design and the City’s Dichotomies”. The session opened with a reflection on the “Napoli experience. Between city branding and aesthetics of dissent” (Rispoli and Toledo). The conversation highlighted Naples as a living laboratory where urban narratives are continuously redefined by its cultural and social tensions.

Humanities Perspectives in Dialogue

Session 2 was chaired by Zohra Hassan-Pieper, Aurora 2030 Work Package 2 Project Manager from UDE. It explored “Humanities Perspectives on Urban Dichotomies”, beginning with the thought-provoking introduction “Urban Dichotomies in the Arts”. Their interdisciplinary approach emphasised the centrality of culture and artistic expression in shaping collective urban imaginaries.

Holism, Wellbeing, and Case Studies

The second day opened with a keynote lecture by Bertram Niessen, President and Scientific Director of cheFare. Entitled “Heaven, Hell and the Microcosms. Dualism and holism in metaphors and imaginaries of the City”, Niessen’s contribution invited participants to reconsider the metaphoric and symbolic dimensions of urban life.

Session 3 further deepened the discussion with an introduction by Martina Bosone and Francesca Nocca, both from the Department of Architecture at UNINA. They presented “Wellbeing and not-wellbeing in Naples: the community’s perspective. Development of a collaborative map”. Giovan Giuseppe Monti from UNINA followed with a historical perspective through “The Republic of Venice in the 17th century as a case study”.

In the final session, all themes from the first three sessions and the keynote lecture converged to bring “Grounded Dichotomies: Case Studies”. Chaired by Martina Bosone and Giovan Giuseppe Monti, the session underscored the importance of case-driven research for understanding how dichotomies manifest in specific urban contexts and how they can inform policy, planning, and community engagement.

Closing Reflections

The conference concluded with final remarks by Francesco Casalbordinio and Maria Fierro of UNINA, who emphasised the collaborative spirit of Aurora in fostering interdisciplinary and transnational dialogue.

Numerous abstracts from researchers and student presentations enriched the conference, spanning diverse themes and institutional affiliations, and exploring the many fascinating dichotomies of urban life. All contributions—both abstracts and full papers—will be collected and published in the conference proceedings, ensuring that the insights generated during DUAL remain accessible to the broader academic community.

The DUAL conference reaffirmed Aurora’s mission to integrate diverse perspectives and methodologies, advancing research and education that respond to the challenges of contemporary urban life. Through the contributions of chairs and speakers, the event highlighted the power of academic cooperation in addressing the complexities of our cities, making visible the tensions and opportunities that shape the future of urban societies.