From Strategy To Practice: Aurora At The EARMA Conference 2026
From 5 to 7 May 2026, Marie Jadrníčková, Aurora Research Officer at Palacký University Olomouc (UP), represented Aurora at the EARMA Conference 2026 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Together with colleagues from the EDUC and SEA-EU European university alliances, she participated in a panel discussion on behalf of the EARMA Thematic Group on the European Universities Initiative.
Aurora representatives at EARMA Conference 2026: Sedef Iskit (VU Amsterdam), Marie Jadrníčková (Palacký University Olomouc) and Svandis Halldórsdóttir (University of Iceland)
Bridging Ambition And Everyday Practice
During the panel session, Marie delivered a presentation titled “From Ambition to Practice: How Alliances Shape Universities”. She raised the key question of how European university alliances can become an integral part of long-term institutional strategies and development. The discussion that followed focused on the challenge of translating European-level ambitions into meaningful institutional change.
While governance structures and legal frameworks often dominate discussions on European university alliances, the session also explored how these initiatives are implemented in practice and how they influence the day-to-day functioning of universities.
Research managers and professional staff play a crucial role in connecting policy and practice. They help translate alliance objectives into concrete processes, align stakeholders, and support the integration of new structures into institutional environments. The discussion also addressed challenges such as ensuring continuity beyond project-based funding, retaining skilled staff, and managing financial uncertainty.
Integrating Research And Innovation In Erasmus+ Projects
In addition to the conference, Marie also contributed to a webinar hosted by the EARMA European Universities Initiative Thematic Group. The webinar, titled “Integrating the R&I Agenda in Erasmus+ Projects”, brought together more than 100 participants from across Europe to exchange perspectives on the research and innovation landscape within European university alliances and on the role of Erasmus+ funding in this context.
Moderated by Ladislav Cocek from EDUC, the webinar featured Marie alongside Nina Shiel from CHARM-EU. Together, they shared practical insights into how institutions can better connect research and education within Erasmus+ frameworks and make use of funding synergies to strengthen research capacity. The webinar highlighted the importance of more integrated approaches within European university alliances, particularly at the intersection of research and education.
As European university alliances continue to evolve, the role of research managers remains central to embedding alliances within institutions and supporting their long-term implementation in practice. Aurora’s engagement in platforms such as EARMA contributes to the exchange of practical experience, supports discussions on how alliances function in everyday academic environments, and helps strengthen their long-term sustainability.