17 characters in search of interoperability: European University Alliances in Belgium

Abstract

While education represents the primary focus of an initiative promoted by the European Commission DG for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, research is an increasingly integral component of the EUA initiative too. Many alliances are incorporating joint research strategies to reinforce the European Research Area (ERA), with a defining characteristic of each alliance being its unique thematic focus, determined by shared educational priorities and research interests. The research-related activity of EUAs is multi-folded, including the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration, the sharing of research infrastructures, and the exploration of cross-border funding opportunities. Given this evolving research dimension, the presentation aims to examine the contributions of these EUAs – and in particular of the 17 alliances with Belgian institutions in them – to research.