Aurora Universities

📖 Do fantasy stories carry some hidden truth in the lives of their authors and readers? In his research, Jindrich Pastorek from Palacký University in Olomouc, uses narrative theory to analyse fantastic short stories from the early to mid-20th century. He explores the complexity of these stories, how different worldviews interact within them, and what they reveal about human perception. 🎥 Watch the full 3MT video 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/eSQUpTKu This 3MT video presentation is the culmination of the Aurora Emerging Scholars Retreat held at the Universität Innsbruck, Austria. Co-organised by Universität Innsbruck, University of Iceland Háskóli Íslands, and University of Duisburg-Essen, the retreat brought together late Master and PhD students from diverse disciplines and Aurora universities. #Aurora2030 #EuropeanUniversities #BlendedIntensiveProgramme #3MT

🇨🇦🤝🇪🇺 Simon Fraser University joins the Aurora Universities Network! We are pleased to share that Simon Fraser University (SFU) has officially joined the Aurora Universities as a Global Member, a milestone in Aurora’s development as a global network of universities committed to societal impact. SFU’s membership strengthens the bridge between European and Canadian universities, fostering collaboration on shared priorities such as sustainability, equity-driven inclusion, and educational innovation, connecting local and global engagement to enhance societal impact. SFU is a leading university with a strong international reputation and a deep commitment to its communities. Its values and ambitions align closely with Aurora’s mission: advancing excellence in research, education, and engagement to address global challenges. Warm thanks to: 👉 Aurora Past President Jon Atli Benediktsson (University of Iceland) 👉 Aurora President Veronika Sexl (@University of Innsbruck) 👉 SFU President Joy Johnson 👉 SFU Vice-President, Research and Innovation Dugan O'Neil 👉 Aurora Secretary General, Ramon Puras for their vision, leadership, and commitment in making this partnership happen. 🙏 Grateful to Vinitha Gengatharan, Carol Zachs, Mawuena Torkornoo, MBA, Stefanie Wunderlin (SFU), Thomas Baumgartner (UIBK) and Chiara Cardigliano, Maria José Montaña Correa (Aurora Central Office) for the excellent preparation of this important event. So, a warm welcome to the SFU community. We look forward to working together to advance our shared mission of global collaboration and societal impact. With Aurora universities: Université Paris-Est Créteil , University of Duisburg-Essen, University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Universität Innsbruck, Palacký University in Olomouc, Copenhagen Business School #EuropeanUniversities #HigherEducation

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 / Technische Universität 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 a series of events on Open Science and Citizen Science. Running from November 2025 to May 2026, these events are designed to foster awareness, sharpen skills and promote discussion on the practical implementation of Open Science and Citizen Science across Aurora universities. Co-organised by Université Paris-Est Créteil and Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, this series comprises of one comprehensive workshop, three trainings and three open seminars that cover the following critical topics, among others: 🎯 FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data 🎯 Open-source workflows 🎯 Ethical and legal aspects of Open and Citizen Science 🎯 Open publishing and peer review 🎯 Role of AI and innovation in Citizen Science. This cycle of events are designed to empower doctoral candidates, Master students, early-career researchers, and academic staff, with the knowledge, competencies, and ethical awareness needed to integrate Open and Citizen Science practices in research and teaching. Mark the dates in your calendar 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/e75mkYzf #Aurora2030 #EuropeanUniversities #OpenScience #CitizenScience

📚 Aurora Course Design Retreat and Academic Matchmaking event strengthens collaboration and innovation in joint educational initiatives. This month, academics from across Aurora universities gathered at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) to work together and design new Aurora educational offers. From campus-based courses and micro-credentials to Blended Intensive Programmes, participants exchanged ideas around key themes such as sustainability, digitalisation, health and well-being, culture, social entrepreneurship and innovation, and peace education. Read the outcome 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/eD7bn_qM #Aurora2030 #EuropeanUniversities #JointProgrammes

🌎 Internationalisation and continuous learning in higher education today extends far beyond typical mobility opportunities. In this conversation with Marina Vives Cabré of Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Larissa Jenewein of Universität Innsbruck, and Ramon Rispoli of Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, they discuss: 🎯 Internationalisation as a long-term institutional strategy 🎯 Inclusivity and flexibility of new models of continuous learning 🎯 Transdisciplinarity and co-creation in course design 🎯 Long-term perspective of institutional transformation. Read the exchange 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/e7gczNKy #Aurora2030 #EuropeanUniversities #Internationalisation

What is the role of religion and spirituality in ecological justice? Find out in this open access online webinar organised by the University of Iceland Háskóli Íslands, as part of the Aurora course "Environmental Ethics and Ecotheology" offered by the university this fall 2025. On the agenda: ➡️ Opening by Sigríður Guðmarsdóttir, University of Iceland. ➡️ Keynote address "All Flesh is Grass: Queer Ecology and the Possibility of Incarnation" by Jacob J. Erickson of Trinity College Dublin. ➡️ Interdisciplinary panel on Ethics, Climate Change, Sustainability and Human Rights with Florian Freitag of University of Duisburg-Essen, Sigríður Guðmarsdóttir, Sigurrós Alice Svöfudóttir, and Ole Martin Sandberg from University of Iceland, and Juan Pablo Santangelo from Universitat Rovira i Virgili. Register now 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/eNWccyGJ #Aurora2030 #EuropeanUniversities #ClimateAction

Aurora showcased at the Conference on the Impact of European University Alliances, organised in Prague 🇨🇿 by the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research. Addressing close to 70 participants from Czech higher education institutions in European Universities Alliances (EUAs), Marie Jadrnickova, Aurora Research Officer at Palacký University in Olomouc, shared best practices on how Aurora supports scientific and research collaboration. 🤝 The power of shared learning and joint engagement with governmental bodies enables more constructive and aligned dialogue about the future of education and research in Europe. Through events like this conference, EUAs can help shape a more connected, innovative, and forward-looking European higher education area. Find out more 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/exeTJwjP #Aurora2030 #EuropeanUniversities #HigherEducation 📸 Photo credit: Petr Zewlakk Vrabec

👏🏼 Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Jon Atli Benediktsson, former Rector of the University of Iceland Háskóli Íslands awarded the title of Honorary Senator by Universität Innsbruck. This recognition honours his outstanding contribution to Aurora, his leadership in European academic collaboration, and his commitment to international cooperation in research and education. 🌍 Read more 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/eyYFxvgF #EuropeanUniversities #HigherEducation

Coming to us live from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), more than 70 academics from Aurora universities across Europe join forces to co-design new joint educational initiatives. Some top highlights moments: 👉🏼 Opening keynote by Jeroen Geurts, Rector Magnificus of VU Amsterdam 👉🏼 Blended Intensive Programmes by Marina Vives Cabré of Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and the launching of the Aurora BIP Handbook 👉🏼 Micro-credential Guidelines and the launching of the Guidelines for Setting Up Aurora Micro-credentials by Christina Raab of Universität Innsbruck 👉🏼 Introduction to the A Broader Mind concept, and Community Service Learning in the A Broader Mind programme 👉🏼 Transdisciplinary Education: Leaving the Silos with Barbara Buchenau from University of Duisburg-Essen 👉🏼 Aurora Competence Framework and Pedagogical Methods, including educational tools such as LOUIS, seizmic, BEVI, Micro-credentials, and Community Service Learning 👉🏼 Presentation of the six Aurora Educational Hubs: Sustainability and Climate Change 🌱, Digital Society and Global Citizenship 🌐, Health and Well-being 🩺, Culture: Identities and Diversities 🌈, Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation 💡, and Peace Education 🕊️. #Aurora2030 #EuropeanUniversities #HigherEducation