As the year draws to a close, we would like to take a moment to thank our students, academics and staff for their engagement, creativity and commitment throughout the year. Together, you have helped make our community a vibrant space for learning, research and collaboration.
Let's keep up the momentum going in 2026: what can you look forward to from our knowledge hubs and platforms next year?
Knowledge Hub on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Next year, the Knowledge Hub on AI will launch a series of monthly seminars showcasing how artificial intelligence is being applied across different areas — from science and health to finance and democracy. The initiative will also actively involve the other knowledge hubs. Each seminar will be organised by a different university and will be open to a wide, non-specialist audience.
In parallel, we will initiate new research collaborations among participating groups, including opportunities for Master’s theses that may lead to new project proposals at both local and international levels.
Francesco Marcelloni, Academic Director
Knowledge Hub on Climate
The Climate Hub's year starts with Circle U.nited for Sustainability – an opportunity for students to gain insight into European sustainability initiatives and projects. On 22 April, we will open our doors to the greater public, inviting everyone to learn and exchange during our alliance-wide annual Climate Day.
Another highlight is waiting in July and August, in the shape of the summer schools "Empowering Climate Action: Exploring Climate Risk and Pathways to Adaptation" (for Bachelor's students) and "Governing Climate Risk: Research, Methods, and Action" (for PhDs). Also, stay tuned for more Climate Happy Hour events, allowing PhD candidates to receive feedback on their project pitches, more joint courses in on the Open Campus, as well as a joint Open Conversation with the Global Health Hub. No time like the present to tackle climate research and spread knowledge!
Knowledge Hub on Democracy
In 2026, the Democracy Hub will expand its course offerings, providing participants with rich, practice-focused learning on democracy and development. Our programme of webinars, open conversations and seminars will continue to explore poverty, democratic resilience and diverse democratic systems worldwide. A key highlight will be our strengthened collaboration with the Climate, Global Health and AI Hubs, showcased through the flagship cross-hub course Learning Effective Approaches in Development in May 2026.
Alongside teaching activities, the hub will deepen its research on the intersections between democracy, global development and artificial intelligence, moving beyond a narrow focus on the risks AI poses to democratic discourse.
By taking a balanced and forward-looking approach, we aim to show how AI (when embedded in robust democratic frameworks and aligned with national and local development priorities) can become a constructive force for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable global development.
Dan Banik, Academic Director
Knowledge Hub on Global Health
The Global Health Hub of Circle U. will start the new year with the launch of a new edition of its Summer School, to be held in Paris. Students interested in the topic will get an early glimpse of the programme during an information session at the end of January.
In 2026, the Hub will also organise several open conversations in collaboration with other Circle U. platforms, strengthening collaboration in particular with the Climate Hub. Alongside these educational activities, the Hub has applied for a European research network on primordial prevention strategies in Europe and is engaged in an Erasmus Mundus project on environmental sustainability in medical practice, with results expected by summer 2026.
InCU.bator
Through its Cross Incubation Week, the Circle U. InCU.bator is calling all startups from Circle U universities with:
• an early business plan they would like to explore further;
• a clearly defined start-up concept, preferably with proof of market or proof of concept;
• clearly defined development goals to pursue during the Cross Incubation Week acceleration programme;
• a willingness to learn, share and pivot in collaboration with counsellors and fellow European entrepreneurs.
Join the Cross Incubation Week in Aarhus from the 2nd to the 6th March 2026 with funding for travel, accommodation and food.
CU.til
True to its mission, the Circle U. Teaching and Innovation Lab (CU.til) is preparing a variety of programmes for 2026 to boost pedagogical innovation within the alliance.
More specifically:
- academic matchmaking events to galvanise the creation of new international modules; recurrent events for academics to meet their international counterparts and to go through a design sprint (first event, 12th/13th February, in Vienna),
- training the trainers programmes using short online webinar formats for staff development: local programs will be shared throughout both semesters (annual program to come soon), culminating in our CU.til summer educational festival entailing longer, hands-on, in-depth hybrid training workshops, open conversations, a matchmaking event, research actions, and so much more.
- EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) webinar series and summer school: important initiative for students and staff (program to come soon).
- CU.til publications: on hybrid teaching and teacher education (forthcoming).
- Last but not least, the CU.til has opened its pedagogical research network which is just waiting for you to join!
CU.mil
In 2026, CU.mil will continue to support increased linguistic and cultural diversity across the alliance in teaching, research, governance, and communication. A key priority will be the implementation of the Language Compass’ recommendations in as many Circle U. contexts as possible.
On the research side, we will also disseminate the results of our Language/s in Research project, which explores the multilingual practices and needs of researchers across Circle U. To date, over 100 academics from all Circle U. member universities have responded to our survey, and interviews with Circle U. researchers are currently underway.
