Group: For students

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. 

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) is made up of two elected student representatives from each university within Aurora. Its role is to focus, and collectively decide, on priorities for the student population. The ASC ensures that the student voice is heard and integrated in decisions taken in Aurora. Paula Mora, student at Universitat Rovira i Virgili, talks about her year-long experience as Communications Officer for the ASC in the academic year 2024/2025.

Memorable moments with the Aurora Student Council

One day, I opened my inbox and came across an email about joining a student programme called the Aurora Student Council. I wasn’t entirely sure what it was about, but something in me felt drawn to it. A few days later, I found myself filling out an application form, then sitting for an interview and, just like that, I became part of something much bigger than I had imagined. At the time, I didn’t know it would lead to one of the most enriching experiences of my university life.

A Space of Possibilities

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) is a space where students from all Aurora universities come together to represent their communities, share perspectives, and work on joint initiatives to improve the student experience across the alliance. Through monthly meetings and events, students engage in real discussions about inclusion, mobility, and participation in higher education, contributing to a more connected and student-driven European university landscape.

At the beginning, everything felt new and slightly overwhelming. I was stepping into a space full of possibilities, an entire network of universities, projects, and people, but I wasn’t entirely sure how to find my place in it. However, after just a few meetings and thanks to the support of both the team at my university and the rest of the Council, I gradually found my rhythm. The sense of community made all the difference.

The Power of Dialogue and Meaningful Engagement

One of the most enriching lessons I’ve learned during my time in Aurora is the power of dialogue. There is something truly special about sitting at a table with students from different countries, fields of study, and cultural perspectives, and realising how much we can learn from one another. Every conversation opens a door to new ways of thinking, and that kind of exchange is something I’ll always carry with me.

Aurora Student Council at conferences in Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic) and Université Paris-Est Créteil (France)

Another key lesson has been about the value of meaningful change. With the right tools and the right environment, it is possible to create small but impactful improvements. Aurora, in this sense, is an essential tool. It connects universities in a way that allows ideas and best practices to circulate across borders. That connection creates a kind of collective intelligence, a system where solutions can be shared, tested, and improved together.

I’ve also learned the importance of clarity and communication when working in international teams. Expressing ideas, making space for others, being flexible and proactive, these are skills I’ve strengthened through my experience in the Council. Aurora gives you a space where students can take initiative and learn by doing, all the while being supported by others who care just as much as you do. At the end, student voices are powerful when they are heard, and even more powerful when they are united.

Another realisation has been how closely student engagement is tied to real-world impact. Many of my peers in Aurora are not only students, but also passionate individuals who follow politics, care about climate, education, inclusion…and who want to be part of the solutions.

Unforgettable Opportunities and Shared Moments

Of course, I’m also deeply grateful for the many travel opportunities and people I’ve met along the way. I’m fully aware that travelling is a privilege, and I feel lucky to have attended events like the Aurora conferences in Naples and Paris, and the Student Conference in Palacký University Olomouc. These are not just destinations, they’re memories shared with incredible peers. With Aurora, you don’t just discover new places, you discover them alongside ambitious and open-minded people. It’s hard to explain how many ideas we’ve exchanged around those tables, how much I’ve learned just by listening.

Shared moments with student representatives and members in the Aurora Student Council

Looking back, Aurora has been an incredible experience; one that I wholeheartedly recommend to any student. I leave with my backpack full of stories, lessons, and unforgettable moments. But more than anything, I leave with hope. Hope, because I’ve seen that there are entire generations of students across Europe committed to working for a better, more connected future.

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) is the representative body of students within Aurora, bringing together voices from all partner universities to ensure student perspectives remain at the heart of Aurora’s strategic direction. Through monthly meetings and continuous collaboration, the Council enables students to engage in joint discussions, share experiences, and contribute actively to Aurora’s development as a European university alliance.

Aurora Student Council at the Aurora Annual Conference 2025 in Paris

As part of this ongoing work, the ASC met in-person during the Aurora Annual Conference, hosted by Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) in May 2025 in Paris. The meeting served as a space to review progress, exchange ideas, and continue working on several key initiatives.

Strengthening European Collaboration: Aurora and the ESU Candidacy

One of the main points discussed was Aurora’s potential candidacy to become a member of the European Students’ Union (ESU), an umbrella organisation representing over 20 million students across Europe. Membership in the ESU would allow Aurora to increase its visibility within the broader network of European university alliances, foster collaboration on shared student issues, and take an active role in shaping policies relevant to higher education at the European level.

Aurora Students’ Rights Charter: Establishing Shared Standards

The central focus of the Paris meeting was the development of the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter (ASRC). This charter is the result of joint work by the ASC to define the fundamental rights students believe should be respected across all Aurora universities. Once adopted, the ASRC will serve as a reference document, an example of shared commitment that universities can uphold to ensure transparency, protection, and student empowerment throughout the alliance.

Supporting International Students: Exchanging Best Practices

Building on the year’s strategic focus on the integration of international students, the ASC revisited a previous proposal to collect and share examples of best practices related to student mentoring, buddy programmes, and welcoming systems. During the Paris meeting, students presented their contributions and discussed initiatives currently in place. One recurring topic was the implementation of buddy programmes, with several universities already recognising student participation in these initiatives with ECTS credits, an approach that highlights the value of peer support and community building.

Aurora Student Council members working on the initial proposal for the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter

Preparing the Next Elections: Ensuring Fair Representation

The ASC also discussed the timeline for the upcoming elections of the Student Board, which consists of the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Communications Officer. This year, these roles were held by Mathilde Chaumont, Sören Daehn, Andréa Gaucher and Paula Mora, respectively.

As in previous years, a democratic voting process will be held to select new representatives for the upcoming academic year, ensuring continuity and fair representation for all students within Aurora.

Reflections and Local Reports

Each university delegation was invited to share a brief report on their activities over the past academic year. These reflections highlighted achievements at the local level while also identifying areas for improvement. The exchange allowed students to learn from one another and helped the Council assess its collective progress in key areas of student engagement and communication.

Student Representation in the Plenary Session

As part of the conference programme, Student Council members also participated in a plenary session on the topic: “Empowering Voices: Advocating for Students’ Rights Across Europe”, followed by a round-table discussion on “The University of Tomorrow”. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity for students to present their perspectives to the wider Aurora community and receive constructive feedback from academic and institutional stakeholders.

The discussion focused on the potential impact of the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter, the challenges encountered during its development, and the varying national contexts that shape student experiences across Europe. Participants also explored future avenues for cooperation with student organisations from other European alliances, underlining the importance of building stronger links at both the international and local levels. Strengthening these connections is seen as a key step toward sharing good practices and amplifying student engagement within and beyond Aurora.

Left to right: Mathilde Chaumont (UPEC), Simon Westhoff (VU Amsterdam), Sören Daehn (Copenhagen Business School) and Simona Gibalová (Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice)

The Aurora Annual Conference in Paris was both productive and dynamic. In addition to advancing shared goals, students enjoyed moments of connection, informal conversation, and laughter. After all, when students from different fields, ages, and countries come together around the same table: just imagine the conversations that can spark.

From 2 to 13 June 2025, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) hosted the second edition of the “Emerging Futures” Summer School, designed and coordinated by Felipe Koch, Vice-Dean of AEI International School. As part of Aurora, the summer school brought together students from five partner universities to explore key topics for understanding, imagining, and transforming societies, when the future is anything but certain.

UPEC Summer School 2025 participants at the Certificate Award ceremony

A Summer School to Reflect on the Futures of A Changing World

During the two-week summer school, students were invited to explore innovative approaches to anticipation, develop skills in Futures Literacy, and engage with tools applied in strategic foresight, systems thinking, and social innovation. In the first week, led by Professor Felipe Koch, students participated took part in the Futures Literacy Lab, an immersive experience that raised awareness of multiple temporalities and anticipatory biases. They explored forecasting techniques with Professor Philippe Frouté and were guided through a strategic foresight exercise by Anika Keils, a PhD candidate from the seizmic MSCA doctoral network.

The second week featured renowned international experts such as Riel Miller (former Head of Foresight at UNESCO), Fabio Scarano (ecologist and curator at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro), Mayra Fonseca (University of Brasília), Ramon Rispoli (Università Federico II of Naples), and Rocco Scolozzi (University of Trento). They shared their complementary approaches to anticipatory systems and processes, regeneration, social technologies, speculative design, and systems thinking.

Taught entirely in English, the programme incorporated reflection on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with the objective of linking global challenges with local dynamics and collective capacity for action.

Classroom sessions with group preparations and presentations on Futures Literacy

An International Conference Becoming A Landmark Event

The Summer School concluded with an international conference that has become a flagship event in the Aurora calendar. The theme, “Decision-Making under Deep Uncertainty”, created a bridge between academics, institutions, and civil society. The day brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss anticipation, governance, and knowledge in an uncertain world.

Three key perspectives structured the conference:

• A conversation on pandemic management, hosted by Cecilia Gabizon, with Janet Diaz from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Fernando Bozza from Fiocruz in Brazil;
• Financial market resilience, with Olivier de Bandt from the Banque de France, Mohammed Chahad from the European Central Bank (ECB), Patrick Guézais from the Ecole Supérieure d’Assurances (ESA), and Thomas Houy from Télécom Paris;
• Emerging knowledge for societal transitions, through a 100% female panel with Kwamou Feukeu from the Max Planck Institute, anthropologist Mayra Fonseca from the University of Brasília, futurist Julie Ezan-Zecca from Eranos consulting firm, and Apoorva Arya from the Circular Innovation Lab.

Landmark international conference on “Decision-Making under Deep Uncertainty”

Highlight moments also included:

• The opening lecture by Riel Miller on Futures Literacy and the diversity of anticipation regimes;
• A powerful talk by sociologist Stéphane Hugon on the need to reinvent consulting practices in an unstable world;
• The certificate award ceremony for students from Iceland, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Colombia, Brazil, and France.

An Academic, Intercultural and Human Experience

Building memorable connections at the Emerging Futures Summer School 2025

Beyond theoretical learning, this summer school offered a truly intercultural exchange and a vibrant collective experience, strengthening the sense of belonging to an engaged academic community. The intensive and collaborative format fostered lasting connections among students and instructors, in a spirit of experimentation, listening, and dialogue.

This momentum, also supported by the ERASME programme of UPEC, aligns fully with the strategic vision of our institutions, reaffirming our commitment to an open, inclusive university focused on Europe and the future.