Democratic Purpose
We believe that research, now more than ever, requires its application and endeavour
to be rooted in the social and the ethical, so that it may assist in the collaborative solving of the societal challenges of our times. In our collective
strategies and plans, we commit to promoting societal engagement, recognising
that research mobility and collaboration across our universities and cities has this resolutely
democratic purpose.
Caring for All People
We are committed to fostering equitable and agentic communities where all people are encouraged
to participate as active members engaged in the shaping of flourishing, compassionate, enlightened
societies and sustainable economies, informed by the power of research and evidence. Our
responsibility is to developing people as ‘life-wide’ cooperative makers of the democratic
communities in which they live and work.
Caring for Place
We recognise the importance of ‘emplacing’ research in local contexts through
deep engagement with stakeholders over time. We will contribute to the resilience and renaissance
of Europe’s post- industrial cities, regions and communities through actively prioritising and
addressing urban challenges.
Caring for Our Planet
We believe that research plays a significant role in addressing almost all the grand challenges we
face, from the existential threat of the climate crisis to the related issues of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, global north/south
disparity, systemic inequity, among others.
