Latest Publications

Position Papers

The Guild's position on the use of animals in research

Position paper on animals in research | 17 March 2022
The Guild welcomes the European Commission's communication to the European Parliament's resolution on the use of animals in research.

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.
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Statements

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 across Europe have well-functioning knowledge and technology transfer offices would be a better approach to maximise the exploitation of research results.

Diversity, sustainability and quality must be the hallmarks of academic publishing

Statement on academic publishing  | 17 May 2022

Ahead of the June Competitiveness Council, where the ministers will be invited to adopt conclusions on research assessment and implementation of Open Science policies, The Guild urges the member states to ensure that Open Access serves science, not publishers.

The Guild's reaction to the European Commission's proposal for the European Health Data Space

Statement on European Health Data Space  | 4 May 2022

The Guild welcomes the publication, on Tuesday 3rd May, of the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation on the European Health Data Space (EHDS).

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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

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.