Three Communities Of Practice Receive Inaugural Aurora Awards
During the closing ceremony of the Aurora Annual Conference 2026, three Communities of Practice (CoPs) were honoured as laureates of the inaugural Aurora CoP Awards.
Laureates of the Aurora Communities of Practice Awards 2026. © Photo credit: eventfotograf.in
First-ever Aurora Communities of Practice Awards
Selected from ten recently registered communities of practice (CoPs), the winning teams were recognised for their strong alignment with Aurora’s core values and their demonstrated impact:
Permahaven Research Group (PRG)
Praised for its commitment to sustainability through deeply embedded collaboration between universities and their local communities, the PRG delivers tangible societal impact via regenerative, place-based learning environments. Through applied, experiential learning in permaculture-oriented urban gardens, these living laboratories connect students, staff, and community members, translating sustainability theory into collaborative practice.
Word from the jury: “It is widely perceived as attractive and inspirational, engaging participants intellectually, socially, and emotionally.”
Peace in Practice Across Universities
This CoP stood out for its contribution to societal change-making, translating principles of peace, democratic participation, and global citizenship into collaborative educational initiatives and public engagement activities. Peace in Practice Across Universities gathers Aurora institutions to co-create research, teaching and engagement on peace and global citizenship. Its activities include policy dialogues, public seminars and challenge labs on conflict, democratic participation and intercultural understanding.
Word from the jury: “It excels in collaboration and places peace and intercultural understanding at the center of inter-university collaboration in a time of heightened global polarisation and political divide.”
South-South and Triangular Cooperation on Food Systems and Climate Change (SSTC-FSCC)
SSTC-FSCC was recognised for its exemplary global collaboration model, fostering equitable partnerships between the Global South and North and addressing food systems and climate resilience through inclusive, participatory approaches. This CoP enables Aurora to act as a bridge for building sustainable partnerships, and promotes the use of innovating teaching and research methodologies, like Real-Life Learning Labs (RLLL) and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), thereby contributing to societal transformation, collaboration and sustainability.
Word from the jury: “This CoP has a strong ethical positioning and real-world impact, is highly innovative in its approach to knowledge exchange, and reaches out to members beyond Aurora universities, and beyond Europe underlining the importance of a joint global approach to food security and climate change.”
About the CoP Awards
The Aurora Communities of Practice Awards recognise outstanding achievements, innovative practices, and inspiring individuals or teams involved in Aurora’s CoPs. The awards aim to celebrate excellence, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and promote Aurora’s core values of collaboration, societal impact, and sustainability.
Currently registered Communities of Practice include:
- Permahaven Research Group (PRG)
- Peace in Practice Across Universities
- Supporting Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors
- The seizmic Community of Practice: Social Entrepreneurship Education, Impact Competencies, and Systemic Change
- Co-Creating Global Education: The Aurora Internationalisation of the Curriculum CoP
- INSIGHTS
- LOUIS: Learning Outcomes in University for Impact on Society
- Low-Dimensional Materials for Advanced (Bio)Sensing
- Aurora Research Managers
- South-South and Triangular Cooperation on Food Systems and Climate Change (SSTC-FSCC)
The Aurora Annual Conference 2026 also highlighted how the achievements of Aurora’s first decade have laid a strong foundation for its next phase of development. By combining thoughtful reflection on ten years of progress with a forward-looking vision, the conference demonstrated the vital role European university alliances can play in shaping a more connected, inclusive, and resilient higher education landscape.