Arqus Communities of Practice (CoP) meet in Lyon to shape future collaboration

From 13 to 15 April 2026, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 hosted an in-person meeting of the Arqus Communities of Practice (CoPs) co-leads and members, bringing together academics and administrative staff from across the alliance to exchange ideas, strengthen connections and discuss the future of collaboration within Arqus.

The meeting opened on 13 April with a strategic session of the CoP Board, focused on reviewing progress and discussing priorities for the next phase of work. On 14 and 15 April, the event expanded to welcome representatives from ten Communities of Practice, including 13 CoP Chairs and members from across the alliance.

Throughout the two-day programme, participants shared initiatives and experiences developed within their communities, highlighting the diversity and dynamism of bottom-up collaboration in Arqus. Sessions featured contributions from CoPs working on topics such as urban studies, sustainable laboratories, mobility studies, AI in language learning and teaching, libraries, green computing, and English-Medium Instruction. Discussions addressed both achievements and shared challenges, including sustaining engagement, increasing participation across partner universities, and ensuring long-term continuity of CoP activities.

The programme also included an interactive workshop led by the Inclusion and Diversity Hub, offering participants an opportunity to reflect collectively on core values, inclusion practices, and community-building within the alliance. A dedicated working session focused on deliverables for the current funding phase supported exchanges on progress and future objectives.

One highlight of the meeting was a video recording session held at Lyon 1’s library, where participants contributed short-form video content presenting their Communities of Practice, sharing their experiences, and reflecting on both achievements and challenges. Designed to increase the visibility of CoPs within and beyond the alliance, these recordings will support future communication efforts through storytelling and digital outreach, helping showcase the people, ideas, and collaboration driving Arqus Communities of Practice.

A key focus of the meeting was also looking towards the future of the alliance. Participants explored how Communities of Practice can continue contributing to research collaboration, teaching innovation, and professional exchange across the alliance. These conversations reaffirmed the value of CoPs as spaces for experimentation, peer learning, and bottom-up cooperation within Arqus.

Beyond the formal sessions, the face-to-face format offered an important opportunity to strengthen personal connections, generate new synergies, and reinforce the sense of community at the heart of the alliance.

Hosted by Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, the meeting marked an important step in advancing the development of Communities of Practice and shaping their contribution to the next phase of Arqus cooperation.

Article by Gloria Ferrante