Communities of Practice

What we do

The AIFRS-network is an initiative bringing together over 50 scholars from various Arqus universities since 2021. The forum focuses on researchers working with Romance languages, primarily in the fields of linguistics and literary-cultural studies. CoP activities include summer schools and international seminars for students from Arqus universities, colloquia on Romance linguistics and literature, and conferences dedicated to minority languages in Europe. The initiative aims to deepen scientific connections between universities through the organization of diverse scientific and developmental activities, as well as the development of innovative research directions. In the context of Arqus goals, the group actively engages in activities related to multilingualism, directing its research and teaching towards developing skills for mutual understanding among Romance languages.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada
• University of Graz
• Leipzig University
• University of Minho
• University of Padua
• Vilnius University
• University of Wrocław

Contact

David Porcel Bueno
University of Granada
daporbue@ugr.es

What we do

Arqus Cultural Communities Network (with focus on universities culture and art centres, its administrators and managers) aims to:

• bring together the cultural community of the Arqus Alliance into a longterm and sustainable network of partners and to maintain community relations,
• seek closer inter-institutional cooperation, to get acquainted with the cultural, art and artistic activities carried out at universities and the specifics of their work, to share and exchange good practices and experiences, learn from each other,
• create a space and opportunity for sharing the ideas, joint development and implementation of international cultural initiatives, events and projects,
• add a new dimension “Culture” on Arqus Alliance cooperation activities and agenda.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada (La Madraza)
• University of Lyon 1 (Mission Culture)
• Leipzig University
• University of Padua
• Vilnius University (VU Culture Centre)

Contact
Sonata Adomaitienė
Vilnius University
sonata.adomaitiene@kc.vu.lt

What we do

The CoP was established to share best practices and knowledge on preventing discrimination, harassment, and bullying at universities. CoP activities include discussion forums, presentations on prevention and management models, support and information exchange, document sharing, and information sharing. The community plans to develop new resources and organize partner meetings to deepen knowledge of best practices and the latest trends in the field.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Graz
• Leipzig University
• Maynooth University
• University of Minho
• Vilnius University

Contact
Marija Norvaisaite
Vilnius University
marija.norvaisaite@cr.vu.lt

What we do

CoP outlines a strategic initiative to foster cultural collaboration among choirs, orchestras, theatres, and other artistic collectives within the Arqus Alliance universities. The plan encompasses a series of activities, including a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria, infrastructure assessment, creative camps, rehearsals, and a principal major concert over the course of 2023-2025. Staff development is a key focus, involving the exchange of views, mapping possibilities, goal setting, identification of working methods, best practice sharing, and the enhancement of communication. The added value of this initiative lies in introducing a new cultural dimension to the Arqus Alliance, complementing its existing scientific collaborations. By incorporating a major cultural event, the initiative aims to elevate the visibility of the network, raising awareness externally among audiences unfamiliar with Arqus and internally among university students. This dual approach enhances the network’s position in a competitive environment, distinguishing it from other alliances and reinforcing its standing in both cultural and scientific spheres.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada
• University of Graz
• University of Lyon 1
• University of Padua
• University of Vilnius
• University of Wrocław

Contact

Rasa Gelgotiene
Vilnius University
rgelgotiene@yahoo.fr

What we do

The CoP gathers individuals supporting the creation of grant applications – employees of research support offices, international offices, technical staff and administrative activities coordinators. In the group, there is at least one representative from each university. The CoP meets at least twice a year – once in person and once online. During the meetings, members exchange knowledge, know-how in the field of funding research projects, workflows, incentives and activities in the research support offices and plan collaborative actions.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada
• University of Graz
• Leipzig University
• University of Lyon 1
• Maynooth University
• University of Minho
• University of Padua
• Vilnius University
• University of Wrocław

Contact
Mario Mueller
University of Graz
mario.mueller@uni-graz.at

What we do

The CoP was established to collectively harness the potential of AI, ensure ethical standards, and support sustainable development in higher education. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing higher education by automating traditionally human tasks, such as grading papers or designing teaching programs. Despite potential economic benefits and efficiency, concerns arise about the role of teachers in the teaching process. With the evolving technologies of AI, educators must adapt teaching strategies to stimulate better student learning. However, along with AI progress, ethical issues emerge, such as the risk of reinforcing biases in algorithms or introducing inequalities among students. Therefore, the CoP’s purpose is to support sustainable and ethical forms of AI utilization.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada
• University of Graz
• Leipzig University
• University of Lyon 1
• Maynooth University
• University of Minho
• University of Padua
• Vilnius University
• University of Wrocław

Contact

University of Granada
Lucas J. Ruiz Díaz
lucasruiz@ugr.es

What we do

Urban studies is a very diverse field spanning within social sciences (sociology, anthropology, human geography, economics, political science and other subjects) and outside (urban planning, architecture). This interdisciplinary character of urban studies makes it a very relevant teaching subject for future professionals. However, it also creates challenges in producing engaging teaching content related to state of the art in research.

This CoP brings together researchers from different ARQUS members facing the common challenges in contemporary urban studies across various socio-spatial and political-economic contexts. The aim of this CoP is to strengthen this community of professionals, who collaborate in a form of individual teaching exchanges in urban studies. The long term goal of our activities is to have organically integrated teaching modules, which would also include integrated research activities of students from different ARQUS universities.

Through the workshops, seminars and on-line meetings we are creating a platform to discuss and exchange our experiences in urban stiudies.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• Univeristy of Granada
• Maynooth University
• Leipzig University
• University of Padua
• Vilnius University
• University of Wrocław

Contact

Tadas Šarūnas
Vilnius University
Researcher at Vilnius University Institute of sociology and social work
tadas.sarunas@fsf.vu.lt

What we do

The Arqus Open Science Ambassadors Network is a joint expert network of Open Science enthusiasts, who are working together in order to promote Open Science as a cross-cutting topic for the research dimension in Arqus, share best practices in their specific scientific disciplines and give advice when needed. Its members are engaged in several Open Science topics and acting as intermediaries between researchers, universities and the alliance.

The aim of the network is to raise awareness on the topic of Open Science and provide guidance and advice, e.g. through conducting open workshops, discussion rounds or developing position papers for Arqus members and at a local level. Thus, act as a point of contact and an expert pool for interested researchers and staff at the alliances’ level.

In addition, the network act as intermediary between researchers and the leaders of the Arqus Alliance on Open Science related topics and advance the strategic implementation within the Arqus Alliance, e.g. by suggesting a joint Open Science policy based on the findings of the Arqus R.I. work packages 3, 5 and 6, who dealt with Open Science, as well as the Arqus Openness Position Paper.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada
• University of Graz
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
• Maynooth University
• University of Minho
• University of Padua
• Vilnius University

Contact

Pablo García Sánchez
University of Granada
pablogarcia@ugr.es

What we do

PFMO CoP specially designed for the project finance managers, finance
services department or EU post-award offices, which include project finance
management:
• deep their knowledges of the project finance management and audit,
• share their best practices in the projects finance, to know about the unwritten rules in a grant agreement, which important to implement the project from financial side,
• understand the eligibility cost criteria and related all the necessary requirements to submit a competitive EU fund proposal of the budget.

The workplan of PFMO CoP covers:
• at least 1 meeting per year face to face.
• at least 3 meeting per year online;
• “shadow working”, i.e. working with other representatives of another university partner, observing his work during work.

These meeting includes staff development, learning, teaching, discussions, information sharing channels, and in particular address problems identified by
each part. Each university during the meeting introduces to the most complex project, which it has been coordinated and what used tools, their challenges.
In this way, knowledge in the field of project financial management will be
strengthened at the ARQUS Alliance level.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada
• University of Graz
• Leipzig University
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
• Vilnius University
• University of Wrocław

Contact

Aleita Markevič
Vilnius University
aleita.markevic@cr.vu.lt

What we do

The advent of artificial intelligence has had a great impact on various aspects of our lives, including education. In the field of language learning, AI has brought about the emergence of intelligent tutoring systems, language learning apps, and other AI-powered tools. While these have the potential to enhance language learning, they also present numerous challenges for language teachers.

To address these challenges and help language teachers from the Arqus Universities to effectively navigate the AI landscape, there is a compelling need to establish a dedicated community of practice.  It can and shall become: 1. a safe space to talk about concerns and challenges; 2. a platform for sharing experiences and good practices; and 3. a catalyst for innovation and creative teaching methods. Finally, the group is aiming to combat the isolation felt by language teachers and lecturers, who are very often left alone by their home institutions or don’t have enough time to get to know all of the new AI tools emerging on the market. The community of practice is open to all language teachers who are seeking good advice and expertise.

To achieve our goals we aim to:

• organise regular online meetings to share experiences, identify challenges and discuss problems;
• alternatively, organise regular online workshops focusing on AI as a tool to strengthen modern teaching methods in the language classroom and a conference for teachers and researchers who come from different fields in order to identify problems, discuss challenges and motivate their peers to incorporate AI-based tools in their teaching.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Wroclaw
• University of Minho
• Leipzig University
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
• Maynooth University
• Vilnius University
• University of Padua
• University of Granada

Contact

University of Wroclaw
Contact person: Tomasz Wysłobocki
TOMASZ.WYSLOBOCKI@UWR.EDU.PL

What we do

The core objectives of the Arqus English-Medium Instruction (EMI) Community of Practice are three-fold:

1. Broaden awareness of, and stimulate interest further in, EMI across the Alliance.
2. Support Alliance colleagues already engaged in EMI in sharing their experiences and in identifying and developing their EMI competences further.
3. Cultivate a vibrant and active community of researcher-practitioners who regularly explore developments in EMI across the Alliance and disseminate these within Arqus and through published research internationally.

Our community-building activities will include the following:

• formal and informal online meetings to discuss activities and explore avenues for collaborative teaching and research projects to support EMI and address emergent challenges;
• quarterly online information-sharing and networking events with particular thematic foci;
• and a biannual newsletter circulated across the Alliance, presenting a snapshot of EMI developments.

We will engage in critical research inquiry on EMI and its implementation across the Alliance with an aim to inform teaching approaches and will disseminate our research findings in international publications and at pertinent international conferences, and by creating a standing EMI panel at the Arqus Annual Conference.

We will lead staff development in EMI across Arqus by running structured programmes, including a blended EMI talk series, peer observations and online bite-sized learning through Arqus LMS. We will offer continued support to Arqus colleagues who have participated in Maynooth’s EMI micro-credential modules.

Through the range of activities outlined above, the EMI Community of Practice will establish the Arqus Alliance as an important site of teaching innovation, research output and staff development in EMI globally.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada
• Leipzig University
• University of Lyon 1
• Maynooth University
• Vilnius University
• National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Contact

Maynooth University
Contact person: Yulia Kharchenko, Mark Hennessy Yulia.Kharchenko@mu.ie
Mark.Hennessy@mu.ie

What we do

In the field of language and cultural learning in higher education, the group has identified six areas of action for different target groups with specific measures:

Courses and offers: A variety of online and in-person courses, programmes, and events to address specific needs and interests of target groups.

• For students: Arqus Café, summer and winter schools, small languages programme, online offers (courses, events, workshops), tandems, and courses for Erasmus students.
• For staff: Arqus Café and online offers (courses, events, workshops).

Learning and teaching materials and resources/tools: Sharing existing resources and using these to create additional resources in other languages and making these accessible online for the Arqus and/or general community.

• For students: Webspaces.
• For staff: Webspaces, handbook on language and cultural competence, and terminology.

Certification: Providing recognition for both informal and formal language and cultural learning.

• For students: Certificates of participation, certificates for Arqus Café tutors, and joint recognition of language certificates.
• For staff: Handbook on language and cultural competence.

Mobility: Providing opportunities for mobility and in-person language and cultural learning.

• For students: Summer and winter schools, student assistants, and internships.
• For staff: Teaching exchanges and administrative staff exchanges.

Professional development: Addressing specific needs of each target group and providing best practices.

• For administrative staff: Short courses during working hours.
• For teachers and curriculum designers: Best practices for teaching, curriculum design, and conferences.
• For exam developers: Best exam development practices.
• For communication and IT specialists: Best digital practices.

Community building: Building and establishing relationships and providing opportunities for socializing and networking.

• For students: Social component of language learning and networking for and assisting Erasmus students.
• For staff: Best practices and raising awareness and visibility.
• For the general public (3rd mission): Political and financial measures that draw attention to language learning.

Autonomy, Digital Learning, European Citizenship, and Social Equity are transversal values to each action area.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• Leipzig University
• University of Padua
• University of Granada
• Vilnius University
• University of Wroclaw
• University of Minho
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
• Maynooth University
• National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Contact

Leipzig University
Contact person: Olaf Bärenfänger
wp11arqus@uni-leipzig.de

What we do

The CoP focuses on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance teaching and learning in Science and Technology, specifically targeting key areas within these fields. By employing AI-driven tools, the initiative aims to learn and share practical experiences on how to enrich student-learning experiences, streamline instructional methods, and to foster a establishment of a collaborative environment for educators.

The initiative aims to share best practices and experiences to personalize student learning content based on their individual needs, providing them with automated feedback, and offer virtual simulations for practical learning using AI tools. These simulations offer students many opportunities to experiment with complex scientific concepts, while reducing the need for physical lab resources. The use of virtual platforms for adaptive learning and virtual labs will be also explored and analysed in this CoP.

To maximize the impact, we propose to follow and offer a training program or related activities that prepares educators to fully leverage these AI tools. The program will be based on existing or proposed Arqus webinars or other resources known by the group in the Arqus universities covering these subjects:

• AI Literacy Workshops: These wokshops will cover essential and advanced AI concepts, data analytics, and the use of adaptive learning platforms. This foundation will equip teachers with the skills to integrate AI tools into their curricula.
• Hands-On Tool Training: Educators will engage in workshops focused on using specific AI tools such as virtual labs, automated grading systems, and adaptive content platforms.
• Ongoing Support and Community of Practice: Faculty development initiatives will include peer-led sessions, where early adopters share best practices and troubleshoot implementation challenges with colleagues.
• Data-Driven Instructional Strategies: Training will also focus on interpreting data from AI tools to adjust teaching strategies, fostering a responsive and evidence-based teaching culture.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Minho
• University of Graz
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
• University of Granada

Contact

University of Granada
Contact person: Diego P. Ruiz Padillo
druiz@ugr.es

What we do

Professional fields covered include educators and researchers in the disciplines involved, students, and academic administrators. Our main objective consist in the identification of topics within Early Modern Translation and Cultural Studies, as well as Intellectual History which can address current social, political and cultural concerns from a long-term historical perspective.

We seek (a) to create a pool of knowledge and practices based on shared experiences in our respective universities and fields, and (b) to find ways in which the disciplines involved and our exchanges can contribute to design a fresh interdisciplinary field by harnessing the strengths of all those involved.

Our project aims to strengthen ties among all the different universities in the Arqus Alliance, so that in the spirit of this initiative it can come closer to becoming a fully functional European University that can devote itself to high-quality research and education as it also responds to the demands and challenges – social, cultural, political – that lie ahead for Europe within an increasingly globalized and multipolar world.

We intend to do so by holding regular interdisciplinary seminars in each of the universities involved, which will also include the mobility of faculty, students, and administrators. We will also organise joint meetings with students, young researchers, senior faculty, and administrators so that future research and educational practices can be informed by the combined input of senior faculty, students and junior researchers, on the one hand, and at the same time respond to the administrative challenges posed by the project.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Wroclaw
• Vilnius University
• University of Padua
• University of Granada

Contact

University of Granada
Contact person: José María Pérez Fernández
jmperez@ugr.es

What we do

The CoP brings together the libraries of the Arqus Alliance to focus on the key area of identifying the skills that libraries will need to support our institutions now and in the future. There has been a significant change in the roles and technologies in libraries and the skill sets of our library teams need to develop to match these changes.

Areas of particular interest include Artificial Intelligence (Al), European heritage, open Scholarship/open Science, internationalisation and user engagement/education. The CoP starts with an exchange of information about the current situation, benchmarking and the identification of our respective strength and weakness. Following this stage, we develop a work plan to share knowledge around areas where we have existing strengths within the alliance and identify ways to address areas where there are currently gaps.

It is envisaged that our work progresses through a combination of online and in-person meetings and information exchange. Our CoP members exchange knowledge, experience in the field of library skills and staff development, training and other interventions to support staff capacity enhancement, incentives and to plan collaborative actions.

It is anticipated that this cooperation will have the dual benefits of improving key skills within our libraries to enable them to better support our institutions and strengthening the international links between our institutions in a way that will act as a catalyst for further cooperation across the Arqus Alliance.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Minho
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
• Maynooth University
• University of Granada
• University of Graz

Contact

Maynooth University
Contact person: Cathal Mccauley
cathal.mccauley@mu.ie

What we do

During the last twenty years, the “new mobilities paradigm” has spread globally and across many fields of research, providing an inclusive framework for a wide range of topics and disciplines. Thanks to a multifaceted conceptualisation of mobility, an expanding methodological creativity, and the convergence of social sciences and humanities research, today the field extends well beyond more established forms of mobility, such as transportation, migration or tourism, to include multiple other mobilities of people, things, commodities, ideas, policies, images and texts, among others. This means also that the study of mobility is increasingly activating transdisciplinary connections and dialogues. Considering such potentialities of the concept of “Mobilities”, we established an Arqus Community of Practice centred on this concept.

A “Mobilities” Community configures itself as a place of mutual recognition and intellectual exchange, where academic staff with different disciplinary backgrounds (including, but not limited to, geography, history, economics) from 5 universities of the Alliance have the opportunity to regularly meet in order to explore the possibilities of further collaboration. To put in practice such possibilities, the Community establishes an “Arqus colloquium series in Mobilities” hosted (online and in presence) by the Mobility & Humanities Centre for Advanced Studies of the University of Padua. These colloquia offers a learning and productive space where the community can share scientific knowledge, improve professional expertise, discuss methodological practices and exchange information about upcoming initiatives and opportunities in the field of mobilities research, thus developing further networking capacities and actions.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Padua
• University of Granada
• Maynooth University
• University of Minho
• Leipzig University

Contact

University of Padua
Contact person: Tania Rossetto
tania.rossetto@unipd.it

What we do

The Multicultural and Migration Studies Forum brings together academics passionate about intercultural communication and migration studies. We promote collaboration through research exchange, professional development, and the sharing of best practices in teaching, with a particular focus on supporting international students. Our initiatives include online and in-person meetings, workshops, and interdisciplinary projects designed to enhance cultural competency and prepare students, faculty, and staff to excel in diverse environments. Through this dynamic community, we tackle complex multicultural challenges and inspire meaningful engagement with real-world issues.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Granada
• University of Padua
• University of Minho
• Maynooth University

Contact

University of Wroclaw
Patrycja Rozbicka
patrycja.rozbicka@uwr.edu.pl
Aleksandra Matyja
aleksandra.matyja@uwr.edu.pl

What we do

Digital Humanities (DH) integrates digital tools and advanced reasoning methods for humanities research to enable, for example, Social Network Analyses, detecting relations or influences over time and space, data visualization, text analysis, and the digitization and digital enrichment and mediation of cultural heritage.

CoP members have extensive experience in DH research, in the development and implementation of research IT infrastructure, algorithms and computational tools for DH and the implementation of advanced DH digitization and dissemination projects, as well as teaching these digital skills and methods at Bachelor, Master, PhD and continuous education levels.

The key objectives of our CoP are:

1. Exchange of knowledge and best practices in DH within partner units and their environment.
2. Skill development among academic and technical staff in partner universities.
3. Creation of joint research and educational projects utilizing digital tools for humanities research.
4. Ensuring sustainability beyond the funding period by building lasting collaboration networks.
5. For Staff Development we will offer:

• Workshops and training sessions, online and in-person, focused on tools for text analysis, data visualization, and best practices in cultural heritage digitization and humanities’ research data management and stewardship.
• Shared development and promotion of best practices and standards.
• Staff mobility and job shadowing programs to deepen collaboration and facilitate peer learning.
• Development of open educational resources in the form of online courses and research repositories.
• Conferences and seminars addressing challenges and opportunities in Digital Humanities.

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Wroclaw
• University of Graz
• Vilnius University
• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
• University of Padua

Contact

University of Wroclaw
Contact person: Piotr Malak
piotr.malak@uwr.edu.pl

What we do

University scholars researching old literatures (from Ancient times to the 18th century) often struggle with little interest from students who give preference to courses on contemporary issues. However, the research on old literatures is often using cutting-edge methods and advanced modern theories that make it an equally contemporary discipline.

In our Community of Practice regarding old literatures at university we focus on new ways and techniques of teaching literature of old centuries to students. We find it extremely important to exchange best practices, discuss curriculum development that is the most adequate in the changing world and brainstorm on challenges that come with new theories and methodologies in literary studies and their application to our field of study.

Fewer and fewer universities have separate research units focussing on old literatures and most researchers are part of departments with a very broad scope, such as general literary studies, and feel therefore isolated. An international team representing various universities could help to fill the void of academic discussions on the subject of study of old literatures in a vibrant and inspiring environment.

The activities of this CoP could include the following:

• On-line meetings on information exchange on teaching methods and techniques;
• Presentation of ‘best practices’ in the field of studying/teaching old literatures;
• Advice in curriculum development;
• Preparation of shared syllabuses on similar courses at various universities.

And in the long term:

• Possible joint (online) courses on the history of literatures;
• Student/young researchers conference on old literature (to allow young talent to present their research outcomes and strengthen contacts between young scholars).

Universities that are part of this CoP

• University of Wroclaw
• University of Graz
• University of Minho
• Maynooth University
• Vilnius University

Contact

University of Wroclaw
Contact person: Tomasz Wysłobocki
tomasz.wyslobocki@uwr.edu.pl