Phasing out the use of animals in research would put health research in Europe under major threat while alternative animal-free methods that are scientifically valid do not yet exist.
The Guild suggests definitions of key terms to support universities in achieving more diversity, equity and inclusion.
On 2 March 2022, The Guild’s seminar series on education continued with a fourth virtual event, hosted by the University of Glasgow. The key question discussed during the debate was how universities can design learning spaces that enhance active learning.
As the war has forced many Ukrainians to flee their homes, Guild universities are providing concrete support to enable Ukrainian researchers, academics, university staff and students to continue their lives, work, and careers to the best of their ability under traumatic circumstances.
Here is an updated list of actions the universities have taken.
The Guild wishes to draw attention to the open letter signed by Russian scientists condemning the war. The Guild fully supports them as they “demand an immediate halt to all military operations directed against Ukraine. We demand respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. We demand peace for our countries. Let's do science, not war!”.
The Guild voices its concerns on the Commission’s proposal for a Data Act, urging fair access to privately held data for research purposes.
Many university presidents across The Guild member universities have responded with shock and alarm to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Guild calls on Europe’s governments, and the EU, to enable our universities to support Ukrainian students and staff on our campuses, and through the provision of distance education where needed.
Just ahead of the EU-AU summit, The Guild and African Research Universities Alliance’s (ARUA) panel discussion, organised on 14 February 2022, provided a timely outlook on what is needed to further strengthen African universities and African-European university collaborations in the long-term.
Through the proposed AU-EU Innovation Agenda, announced on 14 February ahead of the AU-EU summit, universities are assuming a central place in the development of AU-EU relations.
Ahead of the EU-AU summit (17-18 February 2022), sixteen leading universities in Africa urge African governments and the African Union (AU) to support the development of Clusters of Excellence and the expansion of research infrastructure in African universities, endorsing the joint initiative of The Guild and ARUA.
The Guild joins top researchers and the heads of higher education institutions across Europe in calling for an open and collaborative research and innovation landscape that is free from political barriers.
At the start of the new Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027), universities are struggling to meet the mobility expectations of their students. Although the programme promised to be more inclusive and accessible, the actual level of funding universities received in 2021 for Key Action 1 remained at the level of 2018 funding.
On 18 January the European Commission presented the European strategy for universities as a way to articulate a transformative vision for the higher education sector. The Guild welcomes the strategy as a framework which recognizes the rich potential and contribution of Europe’s universities to our society through research, education and innovation. We wish to thank Commissioner Gabriel and Vice-President Schinas for their constructive consultations with the sector and acknowledging many of the views expressed by The Guild’s presidents.
In their first meeting of 2022, The Guild Vice-Presidents discussed how the Pact for Research and Innovation, and the Council Conclusions on ERA Governance, would be implemented.
The application process for Horizon Europe calls requires further clarity while a more stable and user-friendly submission platform is needed, researchers and research support officers from The Guild universities highlight.
The Guild calls for university grant and financial managers to be included in any further evaluations of Horizon lump sum funding.