Project objectives

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First, we will examine and compare the requirements and regulations for doctoral programmes in different European countries (the 12 home countries of the 18 members of YERUN). This will allow us to reveal areas in which a certain degree of harmonisation is possible and identify good practices in successful collaboration across borders;

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Second, we will identify the different possible types of collaboration at doctorate level based on the collaborations that YERUN universities are currently engaged in (as a representative sample of young research universities in Europe).

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Third, we aim to design guidelines and tools for the development and running of joint programmes at doctorate level, which can be used by any European university.

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Fourth, we aim to integrate research and education by creating consortia of universities and organisations around key research topics that the participating universities have identified as thematic areas in which cooperation is crucial (e.g. Big Data, Migration, Health and Ageing, Digital Humanities and STEM). In particular, several research seminars around these topics will be organised in order to promote mobility and exchange of researchers and doctoral candidates.

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Fifth, we will contribute to the training of early career researchers in transferable skills (e.g. communication skills, career management, organisation leadership and project management, and intercultural competences). Therefore we will organise a summer school with a thematic focus on key issues and global challenges in European society (in particular: social inclusion, open education, technology and digital learning, and open science).

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Sixth, by means of staff weeks and multiplier events, we wish to contribute to the debate on innovation in doctoral training. During these staff weeks and multiplier events experiences and project results will be shared among members of the network and at the European level.  

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Finally, our aim is to contribute to the creation of the European Education Area by strengthening cooperation within the YERUN network in the areas of research and education, paving the way towards the creation of truly European universities that can cooperate seamlessly across borders.