Call for participation: Focus group on universities, democracy and polarisation

The purpose of the focus group is to engage with peers on the topic of democracy and polarisation and test a toolkit designed to support university leadership in navigating the challenges linked to polarisation and universities’ democratic engagement on campus and with society at large.

This toolkit has been shaped through extensive consultation with university leaders, including individual interviews and discussions within EUA’s Thematic Peer Group on ‘Universities and democracy in times of polarisation’. It includes challenging cases of polarisation, good practice examples across university missions and a list of guiding questions.

The focus group will take place online on Friday, 4 December from 10.00-12.00 CET.

Participating leaders will:

1. Connect and exchange perspectives with peers from other European universities facing similar challenges
2. Be among the first to engage with the toolkit and test its practical application
3. Play a direct role in finalising the toolkit that will equip university leadership across Europe to address polarisation and promote democratic values on campus

Apply now

Participation in the focus group is open to EUA members and affiliates with university-wide responsibility and involvement in decision making. Ideally, applicants should have prior experience in dealing with cases of polarisation and/or proactive promotion of democratic values through university activities. Typical functions would be: university president/rector/vice-chancellor; vice-president/vice-rector; director/head of communication; head of president’s/rector’s office; head/director of university strategy department or similar.

Applicants are invited to submit a short expression of interest outlining their motivation to contribute to the focus group and their practical experience in dealing with the topic.

The deadline for submission of applications is 4 October.

Participants will be selected with due consideration for the diversity of EUA’s membership.

If you have any questions, please contact Liliya Kukuruza (liliya.kukuruza@eua.eu).