Letter from the Chair

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Dear EAIR community, colleagues & friends,

When defining the topic of the EAIR Forum for this year, I couldn’t have imagined how topical the theme of “openness: a mission challenged” would have become in the current social, economic and geopolitical context. The many proposals we received for this year’s forum is proof of the relevance of the theme and of the community that EAIR is: a unique forum to share experiences and expertise between researchers, policymakers and practitioners in higher education.

As you know, the organisation of the Forum is a shared responsibility and a commitment from many. I’d like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved: to you, our EAIR members, for submitting so many proposals; to our track chairs for their careful reviews of those proposals; to Utrecht University for their dedicated collaboration in hosting this year’s Forum; and to my colleagues on the Executive Committee for their continued engagement.

As the EAIR Forum draws closer, I’m happy to share with you a few important updates: early bird registration is now open (https://www.conftool.com/eair2025/), hotel information is available (https://the-eair.org/accommodation/), and the tentative programme (https://the-eair.org/programme/) is online! The tentative programme offers a first look at the keynotes, parallel sessions, and social events planned, and it will help you to plan your trip to and stay in Utrecht.


📌 Please note that the Forum will officially start on Wednesday 27th at 14:00, after which we will kick-off with the first presentations.
👉 All the details can be found here: https://the-eair.org/programme/

We strongly encourage you to register as soon as possible, especially if you’d like to benefit from early bird registration fees.

Finally, I would like to ask you to spread the word within your institution and professional networks. Whether it’s forwarding this message, sharing it on LinkedIn, or mentioning the Forum to a colleague, your support helps us to build this community.

We can’t wait to welcome you to another inspiring edition of the EAIR Forum—right in the heart of the Netherlands.

Warm regards,
Bruno, on behalf of the EAIR Executive Committee

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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.