University networking and collaboration
Collaboration and networking across, among and beyond universities is on the rise. How these networks are formed, how they actually work and the goals they pursue has not been widely studied. The EU-funded project 'European universities in the era of Knowledge. Collaboration and networks in teaching and research' (EUKNOW) conducted extensive research to uncover both research policy incentives and influences on academics as well as professional and institutional strategies for producing knowledge within networks and collaborations through which higher education institutions engage with and impact upon society - nationally, locally and globally. One area of the study focused on Open Research Area (ORA) multilateral awards. This is a social sciences research programme funded by national research agencies/councils in England, France, Germany and the Netherlands. What was found is that research collaboration and networking activity differ widely due to such factors as the researcher's position, the type of knowledge sought and their scientific authority. EUKNOW also examined university communities and their networks within knowledge societies. In essence, the project examined the changing functions of higher education within a globalised era of networks. Collaboration on this strand of research was established with a vast multicultural team of researchers funded by the European Science Foundation (ESF). Another area of interest was how both change and continuity exist simultaneously in the internationalisation of higher education. The study's findings provide insight as to how internationalisation policies relate to newer goals of creating more competitive study programmes which target world talent, but also shows deep-seated disciplinary and professional rationales shaping academic commitment. The project partners shared pertinent information on academic and research collaboration in Europe. The results will be useful for future international capacity-building initiatives in interdisciplinary fields.