Please tell us about your research project 'Higher Education Informal Diplomacy' (HEIDI).
The HEIDI project, funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, explores the role of universities as informal diplomatic actors. In today’s global landscape, where traditional diplomacy often falls short, universities are increasingly stepping in as key players in informal diplomacy. This concept centres on fostering international cooperation and tackling urgent challenges—like climate change, public health, and geopolitical issues—through knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts beyond conventional diplomatic channels. HEIDI specifically examines how universities are expanding their missions to build stronger economic, political, and cultural ties across nations, using the European Universities Initiative alliances as a case study. This initiative links universities across Europe to promote collaboration and a shared European identity. Through this, HEIDI deepens our understanding of “knowledge diplomacy,” where universities generate human capital, drive research, and support initiatives addressing global issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting their powerful role in cooperation and problem solving.
This project is structured in three interconnected phases. The first phase establishes a theoretical foundation for 'higher education informal diplomacy,' drawing insights from subsequent phases. The second phase of the project, now complete, involved a survey to map key actors, initiatives, and challenges among European universities. The third, and current phase, leverages in-depth case studies, interviews, and roundtables to demonstrate how universities actively engage in international dialogue and informal diplomacy. With these findings, HEIDI seeks to influence policy makers, university leaders, and European citizens, highlighting that universities are not just academic institutions but also engines of global cooperation and understanding. By reimagining the role of higher education, HEIDI demonstrates how universities can actively contribute to peacebuilding, sustainable development, and effective governance. Ultimately, at the core of HEIDI lies a critical question: In an era of complex global challenges, can universities genuinely fill the voids left by traditional diplomacy? If so, to what extent can their influence shape solutions to challenges that transcend cross-border issues?
Regarding the survey you mentioned, what are the most significant findings?
The survey, conducted with invaluable contributions from my research team — Cristina Specchi (University of Bologna) and Francisca Torres (LSE) — gathered insights from 294 respondents across 201 institutions within 52 alliances, mapping key players, objectives, activities, and challenges in higher education informal diplomacy. Findings reveal that the European university alliances play a central role in universities’ internationalisation strategies, particularly in teaching, research, and knowledge exchange. However, significant challenges remain, notably in areas of limited funding and ethical concerns in managing international collaborations, highlighting the need for stronger support to balance national interests with global partnerships.
A particularly striking insight from the survey is the impact of institutional autonomy in shaping international engagement. National governments and EU bodies strongly influence financial, organisational, and academic autonomy, raising complex questions about how universities address competing priorities between national and EU agendas. Additionally, 10% of respondents noted that other universities in their alliances impact their autonomy, while 20% highlighted the role of student organisations in decision-making. I think this is an important finding, pointing to the role of students as informal diplomats, fostering intercultural dialogue through mobility programmes.
The survey also reveals the extensive global reach of these alliances: Over 60% of alliances are involved in additional international consortia beyond Europe. These partnerships position universities as intermediaries between formal and informal diplomacy, shaping broader diplomatic outcomes. To put it differently, the university alliances have enabled member institutions to establish global connections, boost visibility, and launch collaborative educational and research initiatives. Nevertheless, inclusivity and resource-sharing remain challenging, constrained by limited financial and human resources.
In sum, the survey highlights the key role of universities in advancing global collaboration—not through top-down state actions, but through grassroots, knowledge-driven exchanges that can influence international relations in ways traditional diplomacy often cannot.
Could you please share concrete examples of university alliances as critical platforms that facilitate cross-border collaboration and dialogue?
The European Universities Initiative alliances I mentioned earlier are a powerful example of how university alliances bringing people and ideas together across borders to facilitate meaningful collaboration and dialogue. Launched in 2017, following a call from French President Emmanuel Macron, the alliances have grown to include 64 alliances and over 560 institutions, all united by the vision of building a connected Europe through education, research, and innovation. Through these alliances, universities work together on academic programmes, joint research, and student exchanges, contributing to a cohesive and globally competitive European higher education landscape.
Among these 64 alliances is CIVICA, a prominent network of leading European universities in the social sciences. CIVICA’s mission is to advance research and knowledge exchange across borders, focusing on areas like social sciences, humanities, management, and public policy. The EUI is a member of CIVICA, which enhances its collaborative potential by connecting it with other universities across Europe that are dedicated to similar fields.
Within CIVICA, the CIVICA for Ukraine initiative is an impactful example of how university alliances can extend their influence and support. This project strengthens cooperation and dialogue between CIVICA and select Ukrainian universities, providing essential resources and support to Ukrainian students, faculty, and staff through activities such as conferences, study visits, internships, summer schools, seminars, and workshops. Through CIVICA for Ukraine, the alliance acts as an informal diplomatic bridge, fostering academic freedom, democratic values, and solidarity in times of crisis and demonstrating how education can build resilience and unity.
Additionally, other European alliances create platforms for mutual learning beyond Europe. For example, some of these alliances partner with African or Asian universities on projects addressing climate change, public health, and sustainable development. These collaborations facilitate an exchange of local expertise and innovative approaches to global challenges, bringing valuable insights that benefit institutions on both continents.
In essence, university alliances like CIVICA show us that universities are far more than just places for learning—they are powerful drivers of international cooperation and mutual understanding. In our interconnected world, these alliances demonstrate that true transformative change often starts within universities, where knowledge and collaboration naturally extend beyond borders.
Marina Cino Pagliarello is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the Florence School of Transnational Governance. She will present the HEIDI survey findings at the KIND – Knowledge and Informal Diplomacy conference at the European University Institute on 21-22 November 2024, an event organised by her and funded and supported by CIVICA Thematic Activities.