The EAIE Conference is one of Europe’s leading gatherings for international higher education, providing opportunities to exchange expertise, explore new approaches and strengthen collaboration across the sector.
This year, Circle U. will contribute to four sessions exploring key issues for European university alliances and international higher education: sustainable funding, impact assessment, student-led innovation and inclusive internationalisation.
Join Circle U. at EAIE2026
9 September 2026 | 09:00–10:00 BST
Argyll 1, Crown Plaza Hotel, Ground floor
How can European University Alliances secure sustainable funding beyond the Erasmus+ framework?
This interactive World Café will explore innovative approaches to diversifying funding sources, leveraging EU and national programmes, and developing institutional co-funding models.
Circle U. will be represented by Kevin Guillaume, who will share experiences alongside colleagues from other European university alliances, including ENGAGE.EU and Unite!.
The session will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and practical experiences on how alliances can strengthen the sustainability of their activities and partnerships.
Speakers:
- Kevin Guillaume, Secretary General, Circle U. European University Alliance
- Andreas Winkler, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
- Sabine Sainte-Rose, ENGAGE.EU University Alliance, Netherlands
9 September 2026 | 14:30–16:00 BST
Poster Area 02, Argyll Foyer, Crown Plaza Hotel, Ground floor
How can universities empower young women to become innovators, founders and changemakers?
This poster presents BeeLead, the Circle U. Women Founders Network — a student-led initiative supporting women innovators through mentorship, community building and entrepreneurial training across the Circle U. alliance.
The initiative aims to equip young women with the skills, confidence and networks they need to develop their ideas and thrive as founders and changemakers.
The poster will illustrate the BeeLead journey, from inspiration and collaboration to innovation and impact.
Speaker: Setayesh Karami, Circle U. Ambassador and student at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
10 September 2026 | 14:00–15:00 BST
Jura & Barra, Crown Plaza Hotel, Mezzanine
As European university alliances approach the decade mark, questions about their long-term impact are becoming increasingly important.
How can alliances effectively monitor, measure and evaluate their impact? What approaches are emerging, and what challenges do institutions encounter when assessing impact at different levels?
This interactive session will explore impact assessment strategies used within European university alliances and provide an opportunity to discuss the challenges and lessons learned from putting these approaches into practice.
Circle U.’s MEL Officer, Audrey Sullivan-Reilly, will join colleagues from Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg and ERUA / University Paris 8 for the discussion.
Speakers:
- Audrey Sullivan-Reilly, Circle U. European University Alliance
- Angela Kipf, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg
- Mara Noblet, ERUA / University Paris 8
11 September 2026 | 09:00–10:00 BST
Boisdale 1, SEC Centre, Ground floor
Internationalisation is often associated with roles that have a direct international dimension. But what happens when internationalisation becomes part of the work and professional development of staff across the institution?
This session will examine how professional services staff — from HR and IT to other areas of university administration — can benefit from mobility and knowledge exchange.
The panel will explore the challenges that can create an internationalisation divide within institutions and discuss how universities can move beyond the status quo towards more inclusive approaches to internationalisation.
The session will offer insights and practical approaches for embedding internationalisation more deeply across institutions and at all levels.
Speakers:
- Christina Bohle, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Karen de Man, Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Johannes Weinreich, Philipps-University Marburg
If you're attending EAIE, all sessions with Circle U. contributors are available to ticket holders free of charge and without registration. See you there!
From sustainable funding and impact assessment to student-led entrepreneurship and institution-wide internationalisation, Circle U.’s programme at EAIE2026 reflects our commitment to strengthening collaboration, innovation and internationalisation across European higher education.
We look forward to exchanging experiences with colleagues from across the international higher education community and continuing the conversation about the future of European university alliances.
