University of Glasgow Connect

Pioneering research initiative with CIVIS Alliance

In 2020, the University of Glasgow joined CIVIS, one of the alliances created as part of the EU’s Flagship European University Initiative, embracing nearly half a million students and 75,000 staff members. For the last 5 years, Glasgow has been proud to work closely with the 10 European CIVIS Alliance members and its six associated partner universities across the African continent.

We share CIVIS’ vision of delivering cutting-edge education grounded in civic engagement. Through a wide range of initiatives, the alliance has already strengthened collaboration and deepened connections between our academic communities, advancing our shared commitment to a learning experience for our students that is socially responsible and internationally engaged.

New focus on research collaboration

In an exciting new direction, CIVIS is now also working towards deepening cross-border research activities. This new focus on research unlocks unprecedented opportunities to tackle complex global challenges facing Europe and Africa, and further demonstrates the commitment of CIVIS members to genuine collaboration.

In June, the CIVIS universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sharing of research infrastructures at Sapienza Università di Roma. The presence of Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, the University of Glasgow's Principal & Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Rachel Sandison, Vice Principal (External Relations), at the signing of the MoU underscored the University’s strong support for the agreement and the new level of integration between CIVIS members.

With this milestone agreement, all 17 universities from Europe and Africa affirm their shared vision on fostering scientific excellence, increasing societal impact through collaborative research, and growing mature, inclusive, cross-continental collaborations.

The agreement marks a new chapter in CIVIS' mission to build a truly integrated European university. It lays the foundation for enhanced collaboration in accessing cutting-edge research infrastructures across all our campuses and opens the way to new opportunities to connect the next generation of researchers across Europe and Africa.

A shared vision for research excellence

The agreement is rooted in the shared ambition of CIVIS universities to create innovative study and research programmes to address global societal challenges. In facilitating access to equipment, data, and services and in promoting researchers’ mobility, the agreement further extends the scope of the alliance’s interdisciplinary activities organised around five core themes:

• Climate, environment and energy
• Health
• Society, culture and heritage
• Digital and technological transformations
• Cities, territories and mobilities

The University of Glasgow, alongside our CIVIS partners, aims to empower researchers, foster innovation, and support the next generation of academics. This agreement shows how being part of CIVIS broadens the boundaries of our respective campuses and opens the way to a new range of transformative opportunities for our research teams.

Looking ahead

Via our CIVIS membership, we are proud to be part of a collective vision for a more research-intensive and socially engaged European university network. The signing of this agreement builds on the foundations laid by the RIS4CIVIS project during CIVIS’ early stages and marks a significant milestone in advancing that vision.

It paves the way for future joint research initiatives that transcend national and disciplinary boundaries, fostering innovation and impact across Europe. As CIVIS continues to grow and evolve, this agreement will serve as a cornerstone for strengthening our shared research.