EAIR Forum 2025: Exploring the Challenges of Openness in Higher Education

Utrecht University to Host EAIR 2025 Conference on “Openness: a Mission Challenged”

The European Higher Education Society (EAIR) proudly announces its 2025 Annual Forum, set to take place at Utrecht University. Under the timely theme “Openness: a Mission Challenged,” the conference will convene global leaders in higher education to explore the resilience and adaptability of universities amid evolving global pressures.

Universities have long stood as pillars of open, democratic, fair, and sustainable societies. Their missions are deeply rooted in the principles of open science, fostering societal connections through research and nurturing students with open minds and inclusive attitudes. In an interconnected world, openness—from open borders to collaborative education systems—is vital for addressing global challenges.

However, the global landscape is shifting. Rising illiberal trends, geopolitical tensions, and heightened security concerns threaten institutional autonomy, academic freedom, and international collaboration. This growing instability risks undermining the ability of universities to fulfill their roles as foundational institutions of democratic societies.

Diverse Conference Tracks to Tackle Key Challenges

The EAIR Forum 2025 will feature six comprehensive tracks, each addressing crucial aspects of openness in higher education:

  1. Governance & Management
    Discussions will focus on safeguarding academic freedom and institutional autonomy amid global pressures. University leaders will explore strategies to defend their commitment to openness while navigating national policy shifts and political dilemmas.
  2. Teaching & Learning
    This track will examine how universities can continue fostering open educational practices, engage students in societal issues, and build resilience against misinformation and social media influence. It will also address support for teaching staff in managing sensitive classroom discussions.
  3. Research Policy
    Sessions will delve into the impact of open science on research methods, community collaboration, and research assessment. Participants will analyze how security pressures and publisher interests challenge academic integrity and how evolving recognition frameworks (DORA & CoARA) shape research careers and PhD training.
  4. Quality Assurance
    Attendees will explore how openness influences quality in research, education, and institutional performance. Innovative evaluation methods, work-life balance, diversity, and the interplay between research and teaching will be key discussion points.
  5. Internationalization
    With global openness under threat, this track will assess the future of academic mobility and cooperation. Discussions will cover evolving EU policies, national responses, and the impact on university alliances in Europe and beyond.
  6. Digitalisation
    The role of technology in advancing open education and research will be a central focus. Participants will explore topics such as learning analytics, AI integration, data security, and governance challenges in digital transformation.

Shaping the Future of Open Higher Education

As universities navigate an increasingly complex global environment, the EAIR Forum 2025 will offer a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. Scholars, policymakers, and higher education professionals will collectively address how to sustain and strengthen the openness that underpins academic excellence and societal progress.

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Sustainable Travel Ideas for the EAIR Cork Forum

Travelling from Europe

Visitors from Europe can travel via Eurostar from Paris to London and from there by train to Wales and by boat to Dublin. Travellers can then take the train or bus to Cork. Alternatively, there is a daily boat connection from Roscoff or Calais (in Northern France) directly to Ringaskiddy, Cork.  

Link for Direct Ferries: https://www.directferries.ie/

Travelling from the UK

There are ways to travel to and from Ireland without flying, as there are train and bus services that link with ferry services across the Irish Sea which connect several ports in England, Wales and Scotland with Irish ferry ports of Rosslare, Dublin or Belfast with ongoing travel by car, bus or train. 

Cross County Rail Services

Where taking a flight is necessary, attendees are encouraged to consider direct flights to Ireland (Cork, Dublin) airports and to use cross country rail services where a direct flight to Cork is not possible.

Link for Irish rail: https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/

Travel options in Cork

Cork is a city where active travel options are both available and encouraged – walking and cycling.  Visitors to Cork City can get a 3 day TFI bike subscription.

Link to TFI Bike Subscription: https://www.bikeshare.ie/pricing-and-subscriptions.html

All accommodation options and EAIR Forum venues in Cork can be accessed easily by foot. 

Offsetting Travel Emissions

Forum attendees are invited to offset the unfavourable impact of air travel by combining attendance at the Cork forum with other meetings in Ireland, the UK and Europe. 

Forum attendees who wish to consider sustainable travel options may also wish to combine their attendance at the Cork EAIR Forum with their annual holiday and by so doing minimise the number of air flights taken in 2024.