“21 Plateaus” – Creating a UNIC University Collections Network for teaching, research and societal impact

While university-collection networks have been formed on a national level in recent years, the network “21 Plateaus” concentrates on collections within the frame of the European University alliance “UNIC” – European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition.

Objects collected by universities in post-industrial cities range from artworks to scientific objects from early human history to the 21st century – each collection having its own character. The “21 Plateaus” network aims to promote interdisciplinary and international collaboration within the frame of the European University, involving and engaging both universities and civil society.

An online kick-off meeting open to all UNIC university partners was hold on the Friday, 15th of December (10.00-12.30 CET), presenting and discussing specific collections but also exploring ideas for collaborative teaching, research, and exhibition projects. UNIC university members presented objects from their collections and report on their current efforts and future plans for collaboration. Together they promoted approaches for engaged teaching and research with societal impact, with the aim to enhance inclusion, diversity and mobility within and in between the UNIC European Universities.

The "21 Plateaus" half-day conference was open to students, academic and administrative staff, and other stakeholders who were interested to get to know more about university collections and engaged research across the UNIC network.

Coordination: Prof. Dr. Carolin Behrmann, Department of Art History, Ruhr University Bochum