In 2023, Maastricht University (UM) continued its active participation in the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN), contributing to collaborative initiatives aimed at amplifying the voice of young academic institutions across Europe. With core values centered around innovation, inclusion, openness, and responsibility, YERUN serves as a platform dedicated to nurturing research talent.
UM’s involvement within the YERUN network includes joint lobbying efforts, knowledge exchange, and collaborative projects. With 23 members across Europe, YERUN fosters cooperation among universities, encouraging multidisciplinary collaborations involving students, teachers, researchers, IT developers, and support organizations.
Jan Hupkens, UM’s dedicated YERUN coordinator, highlights the network’s strategy focused on knowledge exchange, talent development, and community engagement. UM aims to bolster its understanding of Brussels affairs, influence European policy-making, and facilitate new opportunities for students and staff.
In 2023, UM actively participated in various YERUN initiatives, showcasing a commitment to themes such as Open Science, European Universities, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and collaborative efforts among Research Support Offices. Notably, UM researchers excelled in the YERUN Open Science Awards, with two projects winning prizes:
1. ROCK: Reproducible Open Coding Kit: Dr. Szilvia Zörgő and Dr Gjalt-Jorn Peters established a standard for transparent qualitative coding and analysis.
2. ARROR: Advancing Registered Reports in Organizational Research: Dr Roman Briker’s initiative simplifies the submission process for Registered Reports in organizational behavior, management, and applied psychology.
The YERUN General Assembly in Limerick spotlighted strategic foresight in higher education, and UM actively participated in the YERUN Lunchtime Series for early career researchers, featuring presentations on the importance of mentoring in scientific research.
UM researcher Martin Schumann received recognition for his collaboration with the University of Essex, emphasizing the university’s commitment to international research networks. The YERUN network also generated significant policy input, publishing position papers on key topics such as the evaluation of Horizon 2020 and the Horizon Europe program.
UM initiated regular meetings within the YERUN framework, focusing on the interpretation and application of EU legislation and fostering knowledge exchange at the European level. UM President Prof. Rianne Letschert chairs the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) within YERUN, emphasizing UM’s leadership role in advancing recognition and rewards in research.
As YERUN’s strategic program unfolds from 2021 to 2025, 2024 promises a flurry of activities and advancements. The introduction of the YERUN Research Collaborative Platform pilot, designed to connect researchers and provide insights into available funding sources, stands out as a crucial step in enhancing collaboration within the network.
The action plan for the second phase of the strategic program will focus on the impact of young universities on the region, promoting lifelong learning, and advancing Open Science. With Tallinn joining as the 24th member, of the YERUN General Assembly in March 2024 at Université Paris Dauphine-PSL, and the anticipation of the 10th-anniversary celebration in 2026, UM looks forward to continued impactful contributions within the YERUN network.
