Project description
Higher education’s diplomatic role in focus
Amidst geopolitical shifts and global challenges, higher education institutions (HEIs) play an important role in fostering international relations and addressing crises. Yet the interplay of their political agency and knowledge creation remains unexplored. Backed by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the HEIDI project delves into the uncharted realm of HEIs as informal diplomatic agents. Specifically, it will focus on the European Universities Initiative, aiming to conceptualise higher education informal diplomacy and chart the landscape of HEI governance and policy practices in diplomatic roles. It will also examine contributions of various stakeholders in this transformative process. Overall, HEIDI bridges a critical scholarly gap, and amplifies the significance of higher education in fostering global cooperation and tackling future challenges.
Objective
In a world of shifting geopolitics and increasing societal and economic challenges, higher education institutions (HEIs) have become critical actors in promoting economic, social, and educational relations among nations. They also contribute to enhancing the global science-policy interface by providing knowledge and expertise during crises while pursuing Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, we know surprisingly little re how higher education institutions combine political agency with knowledge production and thus act as autonomous agents of informal diplomacy.
A truly interdisciplinary project bringing theoretical, methodological and empirical innovations, HEIDI studies HEIs' nature and role as informal diplomatic actors. Focusing on the European Universities Initiative (EUI), HEIDI: 1): defines the concept of higher education informal diplomacy; (2) maps the nature, governance, and policy practices of HEIs as informal diplomatic actors; 3) traces how HEIs are advancing informal diplomacy by looking at the role of stakeholders in this process.
HEIDI proposes a two-year fellowship at the School of Transnational Governance of the European University Institute in Florence. The expertise and facilities offered by the host and the supervisor (Prof. Stone), together with my existing experience and talent, mutually reinforce my development as an independent researcher during the fellowship. In addition, advanced training (e.g. statistics, grant writing, science communication) and two-way knowledge transfer will allow me to realize my long-term career goals after the fellowship. A customized dissemination and communication plan ensures that the project and its results are known well beyond the academic community.
Altogether, HEIDI bridges a major scientific gap and represents cutting-edge research in a vital field for the future of Europe in enhancing awareness of the importance of higher education to foster international cooperation and solve global challenges.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
50014 Fiesole
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.