Position Papers
The Guild's position on the use of animals in research
Position paper on animal research | 17 March 2022
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.
Proposals for the European Health Data Space
Position paper on European Health Data Space | 28 June 2021
To address the obstacles data-intensive medical research is facing, The Guild presents recommendations for the European Commission to shape the EHDS.
Proposals for the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe
Position paper on EU Pharmaceutical Strategy | 15 September 2020
In response to the European Commission consultation, The Guild’s Health Deans advocate for the development of a framework that would facilitate the pursuit of multinational clinical studies within the EU.
Statements
The New European Innovation Agenda must strengthen the roles of universities in driving innovation
Statement on the New European Innovation Agenda | 7 July 2022
By putting emphasis on deep tech, the New European Innovation Agenda misses to embrace all types of innovation and neglects the crucial role of some actors, including universities, in developing these ecosystems.
The EIC must better recognise the role of technology transfer offices to enhance knowledge valorisation
Contribution to MEP Ehler's report | 20 June 2022
Contributing to MEP Christian Ehler’s report on the implementation of the European Innovation Council, The Guild calls for the EIC to better recognise the role of universities’ technology transfer offices as key actors in the emergence of breakthrough innovations.
EIC provisions for inventors must strengthen universities as powerhouses of Europe’s innovation ecosystem
Statement on EIC IP provisions | 24 May 2022
The Guild expresses concerns about the provisions in the Horizon Europe grant agreement that give ‘EIC inventors’ indefinite royalty-free access rights. Ensuring that universities have well-functioning knowledge and technology transfer offices would be a better approach.
Insight Papers
Reimagining Research-led Education in a Digital Age
Insight Paper 3 on the future of research-led education | 4 June 2021
In this insight paper, Jo Angouri (University of Warwick) provides a framework for reimagining research-led education in a digital age, seeking to open a conversation between universities, European policy bodies, the EU and national governments.
Looking to the Future: The Guild's Vision for Europe's Universities
Insight Paper 2 on the future of Europe's universities | 19 October 2020
In this insight paper, presidents of The Guild’s universities set out a vision for Europe’s universities over the next ten years.
Developing equal, mutually beneficial partnerships with African universities: recommendations for a new European collaboration strategy
Insight Paper 1 on European collaboration strategy with Africa | 18 February 2020
In this insight paper, Professor Peter Maassen (University of Oslo) outlines in detail the particular need for investment in African research-intensive universities.
Annual Reports
Reimagining universities in Europe and beyond
Annual Report 2021-2022 | 4 July 2022
In the past year, the EU has become increasingly important for universities and in turn, universities, through their research, innovation and education, have become more central to EU policymaking. The Guild engaged with a growing range of policy areas, while also bringing new depths to our work on Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, and the European Research and Education Areas.
The Guild at 21
Annual Report 2020-2021 | 15 July 2021
In 2020-2021, The Guild network grew by one new member, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, the most highly ranked university on the Iberian Peninsula. Amidst the changes the pandemic has brought, the Guild’s Presidents reflected the key trends and challenges facing Europe’s universities in the coming decade.
A Year of Transitions & Opportunities
Annual Report 2019-2020 | 10 June 2020
The document looks back at the key areas of engagement of The Guild network, and gives an overview of its working groups and activities. More broadly, the annual report reflects on the network’s achievements and looks at the challenges lying ahead.
Three Years On
Annual Report 2016-2019 | 11 December 2019
The document gives an overview of The Guild’s activities since it was founded in 2016. Additionally, the report showcases The Guild’s engagement with key policy areas as well as its collaborative working groups on topics such as Open Science, Innovation and the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.