The European University Association (EUA) is pleased to offer a seminar for university leaders to exchange on strategic approaches for supporting researchers at risk.

Around the world, scholars are experiencing threats to their careers, liberty, and lives, particularly in countries where legal frameworks and protections for human rights and democracy are weak. Many universities and research institutions in Europe are offering them refuge, support, and the opportunity to continue their work.

The seminar gives university leadership the opportunity to exchange on their institutional approaches and strategies for supporting researchers at risk. It will also provide scope to discuss national and European support approaches for researchers at risk. Recommendations on expanding opportunities in Europe for researchers at risk and a report on national-level actions in Europe, both developed under the Inspireurope project, will provide the basis for these discussions. The outcomes will also help EUA and the Inspireurope+ initiative to further develop policy advocacy and capacity building offers.

The seminar addresses institutions with a wealth of experience in this area, but also newcomers who want to learn more. Participation is limited to 30 people, with due consideration for geographical balance to ensure fruitful discussions. As this is a half-day in-person event, it may be of particular interest to EUA Annual Conference participants, but it is open to all EUA members as well as non-university participants with relative expertise.

Declarations of interest can be submitted here by 2 April 2023.

This seminar is the first of a four-part series organised by the Inspireurope+ project (September 2022 - August 2025). Supported by the European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska Curie Programme since 2019, and led by Scholars at Risk Europe at Maynooth University, the initiative to Support, Promote and Integrate Researchers at Risk in Europe (Inspireurope) aims to strengthen and coordinate support for researchers at risk across Europe. It facilitates exchange and networking among organisations and institutions engaged in supporting researchers at risk. It also advocates for national and European policies and support on the issue. A subset of organisations involved in Inspireurope+ currently implements the EU-funded MSCA4Ukraine Fellowship Programme.

Inspireurope logo                                                        EN Funded by the EU PANTONE

9.00

Welcome coffee

9.30

Researchers at risk in Europe – state of play and EUA’s engagement

9.45

Why and how to engage for and with researchers at risk

 

This session will be based on a set of recommendations from the Inspireurope project and higher education institutions experienced in the area.

It will address the question of how to engage with researchers at risk from a financial and organisational point of view, but also consider advocacy within institutions.

Participations will work in small groups, sharing their own experiences and ideas and report back in plenary.

10.45

Break

11.15

How to build national and European approaches to supporting researchers at risk in higher education institutions?

Based on the Inspireurope recommendations, report on national-level actions in Europe and case studies, this session will consider support for researchers at risk in institutions’ local and national surroundings and provide advice on how to enhance current national and European approaches.

Participants will work in small groups, sharing their own experiences and ideas and report back in plenary.

12.15

Wrap up

12.30

Light lunch

 

Speakers

Gunnar Yttri, Rector, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Michael Gaebel, Director, Higher Education Policy Unit, European University Association

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