The post Deadline Extension: ERUAvision Student Contest Accepts Submissons until the 25th of March appeared first on ERUA.
]]>ERUAvision: A Music Contest for Unity is a student-led project funded through the alliance’s Bottom-Up initiative. The contest aims to bring together students from across the ERUA network to celebrate creativity and collaboration through original music. The project is organized by five partner universities: European University Viadrina (Germany), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain), University of Macerata (Italy), Paris 8 University (France), and Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania).
Students are invited to submit an original song (no covers allowed) by 25 March 2026. The selected participants will be invited to European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, where they will take part in an intensive music course from 30 April to 7 May 2026, followed by the final ERUAvision concert on 7 May 2026.
What selected participants will receive
Participants selected for the final stage will:
- Take part in a week-long intensive music course with coaching and workshops
- Collaborate with other ERUA students and local artists
- Record their song in a professional studio in Frankfurt (Oder)
- Perform their song in the final ERUAvision concert on 7 May 2026, which will be streamed online in a hybrid format.
Intensive Course and Final Event
The intensive course will run from 30 April to 7 May 2026 in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. During this week, participants will develop their music projects, improve their performance skills, and work together in an international environment focused on creativity, project management, and cultural exchange.
Participation in the entire intensive course is mandatory for selected participants in order to qualify for the final concert.
The week will culminate in the ERUAvision Final Concert on 7 May 2026, where the selected songs will be performed live. The event will also be streamed online, allowing audiences across the ERUA network and beyond to watch the performances.
How to apply
The call is open to all current students from ERUA universities.
Applications must include an original song and should be sent by 20 March 2026 to: [email protected]
Selected participants will be announced at the end of March 2026.
About the project
ERUAvision is developed under the alliance’s Joint Student Projects Initiative, which supports collaborative projects proposed by students and provides funding of up to €5,000 to bring innovative ideas to life across ERUA partner universities.
For more information about the rules of the contest, please consult the ERUAvision Rulebook.
If you cannot access the link, you may request the Rulebook by emailing: [email protected]
Please copy the project team members:
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]]>The post Intensive Course: Justice and inequalities appeared first on ERUA.
]]>The course presents an analysis of the various theoretical models of distributive justice that have been developed in political philosophy since the publication of John Rawls’s A Theory of Justice in 1971. This analysis will pay particular attention to how these different models interpret the notion of individual desert, and to the consequences of these interpretations when it comes to assessing whether certain inequalities are compatible with social justice.
The course will include critical presentations of texts from the reading list by students (in groups) and debates on public policy issues related to distributive justice. It will conclude with a final written exam covering the course material.
Learning outcomes
The aim is to provide background knowledge of contemporary theories of social justice
The course introduces students to the skills needed to critically analyze arguments and construct a justified normative position
Assessement methods
Oral presentations and a written exam
Why You Should Apply?
You are interested to assess the compatibility of wealth inequalities with democratic political ideals and practices
Who can apply?
This course is open to 14 ERUA students.
No specific prerequisites are required, although some background in political theory or social philosophy will be appreciated.
How to apply?
If you are interested, please submit your application by April 2, 2026, to the following address: https://forms.gle/Vo3GAEBARzCAdyLU9
Your application should include:
- CV
- Cover letter (1 page)
If your application is accepted, your local ERUA team will be notified by April 9, 2026 and will contact you with further information.
If you are selected, they will also provide you with information regarding travel and accommodation funding.
If you have any other administrative questions about the course, please contact your local ERUA team at your university or Paris 8 local team ([email protected]).
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]]>The post Mentorship Sessions for Early-Career Researchers with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dovilė Sagatienė appeared first on ERUA.
]]>During the meetings, participants will gain practical insights and skills that Dr. Sagatienė developed during her Fulbright visit at Columbia University in New York (2019–2020) and has continued to apply in her academic work. The sessions will focus on topics important for emerging scholars building an international academic career, including a new topic this season – strategies for securing additional funding within research projects.
Each session will last 45 minutes and will be held online via Zoom. The meetings will take place in English. Participation in each session requires separate registration.
Academic Networks
30 March 2026, 14:00 (Lithuanian time)
Strong academic networks can play a crucial role in developing an academic career by opening opportunities for collaboration, increasing research visibility, and supporting international engagement. This session will focus on practical ways to build and maintain meaningful academic connections that contribute to professional growth.
Registration: https://liedm.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z7UlPoIqR7-r4czCpGh-jQ
Why You Need to Write Blogs
13 April 2026, 14:00 (Lithuanian time)
Academic blogging is not only a communication tool but also an important way to increase the visibility and impact of research. During this session, participants will learn how writing blog posts can strengthen their academic profile, reach broader audiences, and support the dissemination of research findings.
Registration: https://liedm.zoom.us/meeting/register/uIOTTP3FRKepPVyIMFEdeg
How to Select a Journal for Publication
20 April 2026, 14:00 (Lithuanian time)
Selecting the right journal is a key step in the publication process and can determine whether a research article reaches its intended audience. This session will introduce journal selection criteria, ranking systems, scope alignment, and practical strategies for identifying the most suitable publication venue.
Registration: https://liedm.zoom.us/meeting/register/505oVvjMSRy_L2vPpcqClw
How to Write a Paper in a Week
30 April 2026, 14:00 (Lithuanian time)
Is it possible to write an academic paper in a week? With the right structure, workflow, and writing strategies, it can be achievable. This session will present practical techniques for effective and focused academic writing while maintaining quality.
Registration: https://liedm.zoom.us/meeting/register/1CwZlS0sRl-J7toMx6JQyA
How to Enter Extra Project Funding
29 May 2026, 14:00 (Lithuanian time)
This new session topic will focus on identifying and securing additional funding opportunities within research projects. Participants will learn how to approach funding possibilities that can strengthen ongoing research and expand project resources.
Registration: https://liedm.zoom.us/meeting/register/AgJ6UpnxT_ieJbomqIXDJw
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]]>The post UniMC at UAegean: From Interdisciplinary Theory to Digital Cultural Treasures! appeared first on ERUA.
]]>ERUA Traveling Seminar
“Cyber-Physical Social Systems for Smart Cultural Heritage: Didactic Innovation
for the Study and Enhancement of Historical and Artistic Heritage”
The ERUA Travelling Seminar “Cyber-Physical Social Systems for Smart Cultural Heritage: Didactic Innovation for the Study and Enhancement of Historical and Artistic Heritage” was successfully co-organized by the University of the Aegean and the University of Macerata, in Mytilene, from 2 to 5 March 2026. What began as theoretical exploration of smart cultural heritage systems at the University of Macerata in November 2024 found its vibrant practical expression in Mytilene’s historic streets.
The four-day seminar seamlessly bridged academic frameworks with hands-on heritage documentation, demonstrating how flipped classroom pedagogy can produce tangible community impact. Twenty-seven students from the University of the Aegean and the University of Macerata transformed classroom theory into living heritage this week, creating collaborative digital cultural itineraries of Mytilene through an innovative ERUA Travelling Seminar.
Under the guidance of Prof. Francesca Coltrinari and Dr. Alessandro Serrani (University of Macerata), and Prof. Evangelia Kavakli and Asst. Prof. Angeliki Kitsiou (University of the Aegean), mixed Greek-Italian student teams, from Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes, applied conservation principles, documentation methodologies, and digital interpretation techniques to real heritage sites. Participants developed critical heritage analysis skills, digital documentation expertise, and cross-cultural collaboration abilities while producing cultural mapping resources. By connecting academic knowledge with hands-on fieldwork, the programme fostered creativity, intercultural dialogue, and practical problem-solving.
The seminar cements the UAegean-UNIMC partnership as a model for experiential international education, demonstrating how sustained collaboration creates genuine learning progressions. From 2024’s theoretical foundations to 2026’s hands-on application, students completed a transformative arc, from cyber-physical systems and the Study and Enhancement of Historical and Artistic Heritage as abstractions to cultural maps as tangible heritage contributions.
The seminar not only reinforced collaboration between the University of the Aegean and the University of Macerata, but also actively contributed to ERUA’s wider mission of connecting research, teaching, and local communities across Europe.
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]]>The post Writing Retreat for Teachers and Researchers appeared first on ERUA.
]]>The retreat offers dedicated time and space to focus on your own writing project in a supportive and collegial atmosphere. Participants are welcome to bring articles, papers, book chapters, applications, dissertations, or other academic writing projects. Each day combines short input sessions with focused writing time, peer exchange, feedback opportunities, and practical methods designed to support the writing process. Topics may include academic writing, writing with AI, and writing in multilingual or international contexts.
The retreat is designed to foster concentration, reflection, and productive exchange across disciplines and academic cultures, while helping participants make concrete progress on their individual projects.
Dates: 4–7 May 2026
Time: daily, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Please register here (first come first serve).
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]]>The post Building Cultural Competence. Looking back on a practice-oriented international collaboration course at Viadrina appeared first on ERUA.
]]>From February 16th-20th, 2026, Building Cultural Competence – a practice-oriented international collaboration course brought together 22 participants from all eight partner universities of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) to explore how people from different cultural backgrounds communicate, embrace differences, learn from one another, and work together.
During the seminar, students engaged with different theoretical approaches to culture, intercultural learning, and communication. Exploring the values underlying cultures and how they are reflected in people’s daily lives enabled students to discover links and connections within a diverse society. At the same time, the course placed a strong emphasis on practical experience. Through discussions, group work, and interactive exercises, participants reflected on cultural differences and perspectives, as well as on the challenges of communication across cultural contexts. Some activities used simple tasks and simulations to address topics such as migration experiences, moral dilemmas, cultural values, and decision-making in intercultural situations. Daily reflections and peer feedback helped students connect different theories with their own experiences.
“The seminar created a space for mutual learning and dialogue across cultures and disciplines, encouraging us to question assumptions, share experiences, and develop new approaches to intercultural collaboration.” Anna Georgiadou, Viadrina student
An important part was the international exchange between participants. Students worked in mixed groups, shared perspectives from their own backgrounds, and discussed how intercultural cooperation works in practice. For many participants, the seminar also offered a first insight into the work of ERUA and the possibilities it creates for collaboration between European universities. Beyond the classroom, conversations during breaks and shared activities helped create a sense of community among students from different countries.
“The experience encouraged us to reflect on our own perspectives, to recognise connections across cultures, and to become more confident in intercultural communication.” Serkan Cahit Celik, Viadrina student
The course was offered by Viadrina’s Center for Teaching and Learning and facilitated by Niki Kasis, academic staff and Lead of ERUA’s work in Student Engagement, with Fakhar Hanif, peer-tutor at the Center for Teaching and Learning and ERUA Student Ambassador, supporting in the course implementation. The last day concluded in the Shared Humanity Experience (SHE) Exchange Format, facilitated by Michalina Lorych, German Polish Law Student and ERUA Student Engagement Coach, in collaboration with the Equal Opportunity Department.
Authors: Anna Georgiadou, Anstasiia Barbash, Erika Usenova and Serkan Cahit Celik, Viadrina students and participants of the course.
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]]>The post 30th Early Fall School of Semiotics (EFSS): “Between Selves: Human and AI Subjectivity in Semiotic and Interdisciplinary Perspectives” appeared first on ERUA.
]]>Location: Sozopol, Bulgaria
The Southeast European Centre for Semiotic Studies and the New Bulgarian University invites you to take part in the 30th Early Fall School of Semiotics, to be held under the framework of WP3 of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA2), and with the support of the STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND of New Bulgarian University.
The XXX edition of the Early Fall School of Semiotics (EFSS) is themed “Between Selves: Human and AI Subjectivity in Semiotic and Interdisciplinary Perspectives”. This year’s event will take place from 4th to the 7th September 2026 traditionally in Sozopol, Bulgaria.
The theme of the event is a continuation of the activities of the ERUA Research cluster “Artificial Intelligence and Creative Industry Employment Disruption (AICIED)”, but it’s open to participants from all partner universities, independently if they are part of this or other clusters, or work packages. It’s important that the researchers, PhDs and students are interested in exploring the evolving landscape of creativity and creative labor in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Recent developments in generative artificial intelligence have reopened a fundamental question for semiotics, social sciences and the humanities: what does it mean to be a subject in a world where machines produce discourse, images, and narratives?
In his recent work Nati cyborg (2025), Claudio Paolucci argues that generative AI does not simply challenge human intelligence but rather reveals something essential about it. From a semiotic perspective, subjectivity emerges not as a stable inner property but as an effect of enunciation, produced through the assemblage of heterogeneous discursive instances—norms, stereotypes, institutional voices, and previously articulated statements. Generative AI systems appear capable of performing similar operations, assembling fragments of discourse in ways that produce the effect of a speaking subject, even in the absence of intentional consciousness.
Taking these insights as a starting point, this conference seeks to move the discussion beyond the now familiar debates about whether AI “understands” or “thinks.” Instead, we invite scholars to explore the liminal zones of interaction between human and artificial subjectivities, particularly those emerging in creative, playful, and unexpected generative performances.
Indeed, contemporary generative systems increasingly produce outputs that appear to transcend purely instrumental communication: visual artworks, fictional narratives, stylistic imitations, humorous exchanges, ironic commentary, speculative personas, or even simulated psychotherapeutic dialogues. These phenomena raise new semiotic questions about creativity, authorship, voice, and subjectivity in hybrid human–machine environments.
The organizers propose that such boundary cases of generative creativity may provide unprecedented opportunities for understanding both natural and artificial creativity. By examining how AI participates in processes traditionally associated with human subjectivity -imagination, narrative construction, aesthetic experimentation, irony, or introspective simulation, we may gain deeper insights into the semiotic mechanisms that underpin creativity itself.
This conference therefore invites contributions from semiotics, media studies, anthropology, cognitive science, law, psychology, digital humanities, AI studies, art theory, economics and creative business professionals, etc.
Possible topics include (but are not limited to):
- Semiotic theories of human and artificial subjectivity
- Enunciation and agency in generative AI systems
- AI and the semiotics of creativity
- Visual generativity and machine-produced imagery
- Narrative generation and artificial storytelling
- Stylistic imitation and “writing as someone else”
- AI humor, irony, and self-reflexive discourse
- Simulated personalities and psychotherapeutic dialogue with AI
- AI and the semiotics of imagination and fiction
- Hybrid creativity in human–AI collaboration
- Synthetic media and cultural production
- Business and copyright implications of artificial creativity
By focusing on creative, playful, and experimental uses of generative AI, the conference aims to illuminate a crucial question:
If subjectivity is a semiotic effect emerging from complex assemblages of voices, practices, and technologies, what new forms of subjectivity might emerge in the expanding space between human and artificial selves?
We welcome theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions that explore these questions and help advance a new semiotics of hybrid creativity.
Selected papers will be published in the 10th issue of the journal Digital Age in Semiotics and Communication (ISSN, DOI, CEEOL)
Application
If you are interested fill in the Registration form
Deadline for registrations: 15 July
Registration fee: 40 Euro (50 for non IASS members, Free for participants from ERUA partner universities). All payments are made before the school or at the registration in cash. The fee includes:
- access to all lectures, workshops, seminars and round tables,
- badge and materials,
- 5-6 coffee breaks,
- A welcoming reception on 5 September
EFSS 2026 is organized by the Southeast European Center for Semiotic Studies and the NBU team of WP3 of European Reform University Alliance (ERUA2), with the support of the STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND of New Bulgarian University
Funding:
ERUA participants can receive travelling and accommodation funding from their home universities! For more information related to traveling and funding opportunities contact your local ERUA coordinator.
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]]>The post ERUA Virtual opportunities for students to meet and study together appeared first on ERUA.
]]>The fifth session is led by New Bulgarian University and the topic is “Board Games in Community Building and Development of skills”.
During the meeting an overview of main types of board games will be presented. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a discussion on the role of board games in building communities in universities, as well as in society. Additionally, the educational potential of games and their use for skills development, collaboration, creative problem-solving and innovative teaching practices will be jointly reviewed.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nbu-bg.zoom.us/j/88423031073
Meeting ID: 884 2303 1073
ERUA Virtual opportunities initiative provides space for students to meet, study together, and exchange ideas in an international learning environment. Co-organized by students for students, the activity aims to create an inclusive and engaging space where participants can explore topics of common interest, while encouraging peer learning and interdisciplinary dialogue.
The initiative sets the groundwork for a supportive community where students can broaden their perspectives, deepen their understanding of different topics, and connect with peers across the ERUA network.
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]]>The post Scientific Conference on Social Innovation 2026: Call for Papers appeared first on ERUA.
]]>Conference venue: SWPS University in Warsaw, Poland
About the conference
The 2026 edition of the SOCIN Conference is unique as it is being organized in collaboration between the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) and SWPS University’s Faculty of Social Sciences. Through joint forces, we are able to approach social innovation from a substantive and international perspective. Social challenges are global by nature, and therefore must be addressed from a transnational perspective.
The 4th edition of the Social Innovation Conference gains a unique dimension thanks to its partnership with ERUA. This collaboration facilitates a vital exchange of expertise between European Union countries and the local social innovation community. By providing a platform for international cooperation, the conference allows practitioners, researchers, and students to pool their insights, thereby driving more effective and sustainable contributions to global social development.
Call for Papers
Submission deadline: May 15, 2026
As we navigate a pivotal transitional period defined by the erosion of established social and institutional structures, the need for systemic reimagining has never been more urgent. We invite doctoral students, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to submit proposals exploring social innovations and solutions that address challenges at the micro, macro, and systems levels.
We particularly welcome submissions that examine experimental practices offering alternative models of action and new ways of perceiving reality. Our goal is to foster a rigorous dialogue on which forms of collective life are most desirable in today’s world—and, crucially, how these visions can be embedded within public policies, organizational frameworks, and everyday practices.
We welcome submissions in the following formats:
- papers
- poster presentations
- workshop proposals (include number of participants, program overview, learning outcomes, and requirements)
Your submission, concerning social innovation, may fall into one of the following categories:
- Institutions in Transition: Learning, Unlearning, and Systemic Change
- Technology for Social Transformation: Between Empowerment and Control
- Everyday Life as a Space for Change: New Practices, Beliefs, and Rituals
- Place, Infrastructure, and Virtual Spaces: Spheres Where Change Happens
- Social Imaginaries, Narratives, and Paradigms: Reframing Futures
- Impact-Oriented Organizations: Beyond Metrics and Towards Action
- Mental Resilience and Collective Well-being in an Age of Polycrisis
- Trickster Perspectives on Social Innovation: Things and Phenomena That Hinder, Bend, and Neutralize Change
Submit your proposal!
To find more information about the requirements and to submit your proposal, please go to
the SOCIN 2026 conference website.
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]]>The post Call for Innovative Teaching Initiatives – Round Four appeared first on ERUA.
]]>Develop a Collaborative Teaching Initiative
Academics are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues from partner universities and develop innovative academic initiatives that bring together students and faculty from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
Through these initiatives, ERUA seeks to address contemporary global challenges while contributing to the development of a more just, open, and inclusive society.
Types of Teaching Initiatives
Proposals may include a variety of formats, such as:
- Travelling seminars
- Semester courses
- Summer and winter schools
- Intensive courses.
All initiatives must award a minimum of 3 ECTS credits, ensuring academic recognition and pedagogical value.
This requirement encourages the integration of innovative teaching methodologies, including:
- project-based learning
- collaborative learning
- problem-solving approaches
- gamification.
These approaches are further outlined in the Academic Innovation Manual (ERUA WP2 Deliverable D2.2).
Supporting Materials for Applicants
To assist applicants in designing their courses, an ERUA Course Template is available. The template provides guidance on:
- the required structure,
- learning outcomes,
- ECTS calculation,
- and pedagogical approach
The Call document also details the specific characteristics of each initiative type that should be considered when preparing a proposal.
An annexed document includes examples of previously funded initiatives to help applicants better understand the types of activities supported within the ERUA framework.
Recognition of ERUA Activities for Students
Students who successfully complete an initiative will receive a certificate of participation, issued in line with the European Commission recommendations on micro-credentials.
Through these initiatives, ERUA aims to strengthen the academic value of innovative education while encouraging meaningful student engagement. Particular emphasis is placed on transversal competences, soft skills development, student-centred learning approaches that actively integrate student feedback.
Internal University Call Details
Details specific to each university’s internal call – including budget, deadlines, and submission procedures – will be communicated directly by the local ERUA Teaching Initiative Coordinator at each institution.
For full information on application procedures, thematic priorities, eligibility requirements, initiative formats, and selection criteria, please consult the complete Call document.
Local ERUA Teaching Initiative Coordinators
For questions or to submit your proposal, contact your local ERUA coordinator:
- European University of Viadrina (Germany): [email protected]
- New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria): Ms Slavena Nikolova [email protected]
- Paris 8 University (France): Ms Irene Serra [email protected]
- SWPS University (Poland): Ms Agnieszka Sobieraj [email protected]
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain): Paula Rodriguez Chirino ([email protected]) & Eduardo Gregorio Quevedo Gutiérrez ([email protected])
- University of Macerata (Italy): Ms Edith Cognigni ([email protected]) & Mr Tobia Ciarrocchi ([email protected])
- University of Mykolas Romeris (Lithuania): Ms Audra Dargytė Burokienė ([email protected])
- University of the Aegean (Greece): Ms Angeliki Kitsiou ([email protected]) & Ms Christina Zoupi ([email protected])
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