Societal Challenges Virtual Lecture Series & Early Career Networking Hour

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Academics, Events, Students.

In these times of climate change, pandemic, forced migration and increasing economic and political alienation, crisis talk is ubiquitous. While the world’s problems are unquestionably urgent, the current discourse of emergency risks aggravating them by privileging quick but ineffective reaction over the calm, reflexive analysis that is a necessary first step in combatting the woes besetting us.

The objective of this lecture series is to provide an antidote to impulsive disaster talk through perceptive academic analysis. Outstanding researchers within the Aurora University Alliance will give engaging online lectures during the 2021–2022 academic year on cutting edge research within two broad domains, Sustainability & Climate Change and Culture: Diversity & Identity

Each lecture will be followed by a virtual social hour for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers which will allow them to network with peers across the Aurora Alliance and start building the research teams that will deal with the challenges of the future.

Learn More and Register Here 

The full program for the Aurora Lecture Series can be found below. 

AURORA_Lecture_Series_2021-22

OCTOBER

  • 13 October 2021, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Circular innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship
    Prof. Dr. Ir. Bart Bossink (Sustainability and Innovation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
  • 27 October 2021, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Ignorance, ritual, abuse, and competition: The politics of Holocaust memory in the 21st century
    Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Dirk Rupnow (History, University of Innsbruck)

NOVEMBER

  • 11 November 2021, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Have you ever loved someone without housing? Houselessness and fundamental rights in a welfare state
    Dr. Luisa Schneider (Social and Cultural Anthropology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
  • 18 November 2021, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Insect declines in the Anthropocene: Framing is everything
    Prof. Dr. Jeff Harvey (Animal Ecology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

– WINTER BREAK –

FEBRUARY

  • 16 February 2022, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Historical and literary perspectives on pandemics: The need for a gendered response
    Prof. Dr. Patricia Plummer (Postcolonial Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen)
  • 17 February 2022, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Places to intervene in a system in crisis: Paradigm shift through Wellbeing Economy and Ecocide Law
    Prof. Kristín Vala Ragnarsdóttir (Sustainability, University of Iceland)

MARCH

  • 23 March 2022, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Measuring sustainability
    Doc. Mgr. Miroslav Syrovátka (Development & Environmental Studies, Palacký University Olomouc)
  • 24 March 2022, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Is there something new in ‘neo-nationalism’? Right-wing populism in historical perspective
    Prof. Guðmundur Hálfdánarson (History, University of Iceland)

APRIL

  • 7 April 2022, 17:00–18:30 CET
    The importance of early climate mitigation for future glacier change
    Dr. Fabien Maussion (Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, University of Innsbruck)
  • 19 April 2022, 17:00–18:30 CET
    Decolonial approaches to laïcité as a mode to re-think contemporary Islamophobia
    Prof. Nadia Kiwan (French and Francophone Studies, University of Aberdeen)

The lectures will take place on Zoom and the networking sessions on the interactive Wonder platform.You can register for individual dates or the
entire series. You will receive a certificate for your participation. 

Learn More and Register Here 

 

Become the next Aurora Student Ambassador or Aurora Student Champion

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Students.

The Aurora Student Council is organizing the second round of its successful Auror Student Ambassor and Aurora Student Champion Scheme.

  • Are you looking to develop your skills for the graduate job market?
  • Have something to say about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?
  • Want to help your university internationalise?
  • Ready to enhance your academic studies with some meaningful volunteering?
  • You enjoy networking, discussion forums, independent research, writing, sharing experiences?
  • Do have a few hours this year to do something worthwhile?

We have the project just for you!

Each Aurora university is looking to recruit a group of its students to help share the objectives of Aurora – will you be your university’s student voice?

The Aurora Student Schemes provide opportunities for students from Aurora Network and Alliance universities to engage in a voluntary position, getting involved directly in the work of Aurora and sharing the values of Aurora at their home university.

Find out more about the work of Aurora here.

Students are at the heart of everything we do, so it is important we have student representatives engaged in everything we do. You can be a key part of the work led by the Aurora Student Council and can choose how much you get involved in the Aurora project working groups, working on something that really interests you.

Become an Aurora Student Ambassador

If you have a few hours to spare this year, this is the scheme for you!

You will attend a training session to learn more about Aurora and representing the student body, and the types of activity you could choose to do… such as writing a blog, planning an Aurora event, creating resources and promoting Aurora activity on social media. This could just be a one-off activity or ad hoc hours during the year when it suits you. You will be guided by your university or Aurora Student Council representative, with the opportunity to meet other students on the Schemes during “drop-in” style sessions.

Become and Aurora Student Champion

You want to dedicate between 12-40 hours to developing your graduate skills, working in a professional network, adding evidence of work to your CV and gaining a certificate and reference.

You will attend a training session to learn more about Aurora and representing the student body, and the types of activity you can get involved in… you will be allocated to an Aurora project working group, invited to meet its members and learn about its work, contribute to discussions and help develop ideas and activity outputs. You will keep a log of the hours you work and gather evidence to show what you’ve achieved. You will be guided by your allocated working group, you will have opportunities to contribute to Aurora-wide events, you will be guided on how to evidence your work and will be paired with other Champions, so you can work together on projects. You will also have the opportunity to meet other students on the Schemes during “drop-in” style sessions.

Ready to learn more about how you can get involved?

Watch the Aurora Student Schemes Pre-Application Briefing

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! APPLY HERE

Don’t miss your chance to get involved. Tell your friends and classmates to ensure your university is well-represented within Aurora this year. 

Questions about getting involved in the schemes?

The 2021-2022 Schemes are administered by our partners at the University of East Anglia.

Email us at aurora.champions@uea.ac.uk

Aurora European Day of Languages

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Academics, Events, Students.

The 26th of September is the European Day of Languages proclaimed by the Council of Europe, under the patronage of the European Union. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of language learning to improve multilingualism and intercultural understanding. It also aims at promoting Europe’s linguistic diversity and encourage lifelong language learning.

European Day of Languages promotes awareness among the general public of the importance of language learning and protecting the linguistic heritage. On this occasion, on the 27th of September (h. 4-6 p.m.) the Aurora Alliance will hold a round table on the concept of plurilingualism and its role within the Alliance.

As a European Alliance, we are committed to supporting the European Day of Language

  • To raise awareness about plurilingualism and cultural diversity
  • To reflect on and to promote plurilingualism
  • To present teaching and learning activities on plurilingualism delivered/provided within the different Institutions part of the Aurora Alliance
  • To support language diversity
  • To discuss possible implementation strategies of the aims mentioned above
  • To gather and discuss ideas, thoughts and experiences about implementing plurilingualism in teaching and learning activities

The round table will host the interventions: of Giancarmine Bongo (Aurora Plurilingualism Team), Alma Ágústsdóttir (Aurora Student President), and Sophie Belanger (Unite!) will present the choices, perspectives and difficulties of the Unite!

The meeting will be held online, and participants need to register at the following link :

https://hj3khc5i55g.typeform.com/to/vPnvI5rv by 25th of September, 16 p.m.

After that date, we will send all participants the link to the zoom meeting.

Aurora European Day of Languages

CROSS Project Aurora Workshop – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions & ERC

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Academics, Events, Students.

On Friday, September 24, 2021, join us between 3.00 and 16.00 for an online workshop on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and ERC. This workshop is organized in cooperation between the Faculty of Arts of Palacky University Olomouc, and the University of Innsbruck.

Join us on Zoom: https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/94682164153 

CROSS Project Aurora Workshop – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions & ERC – Program 24. 9

13.00–13.40  Introducing Research Support University Innsbruck, project.service.office

  • Dr. David Lederbauer, Dr. Robert Rebitsch

13.40–13.50  Questions

13.50–14.10  ERC Application

  • Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Kristina Stoeckl, MA

14.10–14.20  Questions

14.20–14.40 ERC Application

Univ. Prof. Dr. Robert Rollinger

14.40–14.50  Questions

Coffee break

15.00–15.30 upport scheme for MSCA PF from Sinofon at Palacký University Olomouc

  • Mgr. Petra Vaculíková, MBA

15.30–15.50 Success story from MSCA PF holder

  • Dr. Luis Mortago da Costa

15.50–16.00 Final discussion

LAST CALL – Open Aurora Courses at the University of Innsbruck

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Students.

For the Winter Semester 2021/2022,  our partners at the Universität Innsbruck are offering two new courses to all Aurora students, including the students of Palacky University Olomouc. The two courses are Sustainability & Climate Change and Cultural Encounters and Conflicts: Doing Diversity in Higher Education in the Aurora European Universities Alliance (Aurora Brown Bag Lecture Series) More information on these two course can be found below. 

This is the last call, if you are interested in participation in one of these courses, register before the end of September, 2021 using the following link: https://www.uibk.ac.at/international/aurora/kursangebote/uibk/index.html.en

Sustainability & Climate Change

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

      • Be able to think critically about their own lives and situations with respect to climate change and sustainability
      • Improve their knowledge of sustainability and climate change with respect to other cultures and be able to enter into discussion on the topic with people of other cultures
      • Understand the background and structure of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
      • Improve their knowledge of sustainable earth systems, lifestyles and mobility with respect to SDGs and be able to reflect critically with respect to their own lifestyles
      • Be able to engage with a real business and undertake a sustainability assessment for a business
      • Understand communication strategies with respect to communicating research to the public and implementing policy changes

Structure of the course (limited number of participants!)

Interactive format

The course will comprise five key components.

      1. Introduction
      2. Frontal lectures and small discussion groups on sustainability and climate change
      3. Workshop on undertaking a sustainability assessment for a business
      4. Seminars and discussions with external stakeholders on communication and policy implementation
      5. Synthesis and critical thinking of topics covered

 

Cultural Encounters and Conflicts: Doing Diversity in Higher Education in the Aurora European Universities Alliance (Aurora Brown Bag Lecture Series)

Learning Outcomes

      • Students will learn about: diversity and its use as a societal resource, different approaches to diversity studies and their application in the context of higher education, current networking initiatives of the universities within the European Universities Alliance and much more.

Structure of the course (no limitation of participants!)

      • Lecture series

 

For further information concerning the courses (incl. credits, dates, etc.) please click on the course title, it will lead you to the course description on the UIBK website. The english version is available by simply toggling the language at the top of the page. 

The main goal is to give to all Aurora students the opportunity for a meaningful international experience, besides the opportunity to participate in open Aurora courses .

All Aurora students can check the course catalog (Courses (uibk.ac.at)) of Universität Innsbruck and find out which courses are available to students from Aurora Universities. 

 

Course Flyer

CALL – Aurora International Traineeship Programme

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Featured, Students.

Do you like to discover new things? Do you enjoy accepting challenges and want to test your knowledge and practical skills in the field? Then it is time to start preparing for your traineeship abroad.

An international traineeship will offer you the chance to learn how to communicate and work efficiently in a multicultural environment, developing your foreign language skills. During your traineeship you will have the opportunity to build up your CV and grow your professional network, while also strengthening your self-confidence and independence.

The AURORA European Universities Alliance is here to extend the offer of relevant student traineeships abroad and to increase their impact through the implementation of four AURORA pilot domains (Sustainability & Climate Change, Digital Society & Global Citizenship, Health & Well-being, Culture: Diversity & Identity), Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation element, research and Service Learning.

  • Your traineeship shall take place in one of the countries involved in the AURORA European Universities Alliance, i.e. Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.
  • Its duration is minimum 6 weeks and maximum 5 months during the period September 2021 – August 2023.
  • Preference will be given to traineeships related to any of four AURORA pilot domains listed above, Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation element, research or Service Learning.
  • We can help you to find a relevant host organisation or you can search for it through our associate partner AIESEC. Of course, you can also find a suitable traineeship provider by yourself.
  • You will be supported with a grant covering your subsistence and travel costs in the amount of 750 EUR per month.
  • For more information on conditions of participation, financial support, application process etc., please click here. To learn more about AIESEC opportunities, please take a look at the current AIESEC offer.

If you are interested, please contact Soňa Duchoňová or Zuzana Hanelová to discuss your traineeship plans.

  • Your traineeship shall take place in one of the countries involved in the AURORA European Universities Alliance International Traineeship Programme, i.e. Austria, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain.
  • Its duration is minimum 6 weeks and maximum 5 months during the period September 2021 – August 2023.
  • Preference will be given to traineeships related to any of four AURORA pilot domains listed above, Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation element, research or Service Learning.
  • We can help you to find a relevant host organisation or you can search for it through our associate partner AIESEC. Of course, you can also find a suitable traineeship provider by yourself.
  • You will be supported with a grant covering your subsistence and travel costs in the amount of 750 EUR per month.
  • For more information on conditions of participation, financial support, application process etc., please click here. To learn more about AIESEC opportunities, please take a look at the current AIESEC offer.

If you are interested, please contact Soňa Duchoňová, or Zuzana Hanelová to discuss your traineeship plans.

 

Documents:

Information For Financial Support Applicants

Financial support application EN

Financial support application CS

Recommendation letter EN

Recommendation letter CS

Letter of admission EN

Things to Remember

Become part of the pool of potential AURORA Doctoral Committee Members!

Written by R N on . Posted in Featured, Students.

Reviewer, counterspeaker, committee member wanted for a doctoral thesis? Become part of the pool of potential AURORA Doctoral Committee Members! Gain international experience in doctoral education and establish contacts with reseachers from AURORA partner institutions for further collaborations. Sign up at the link below: https://eveeno.com/aurora-doctoral-committee.

Aurora Student Champions and Ambassadors Celebratory Event – Looking Back

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Academics, Students.

As you know the Aurora Student Champions and Ambassadors Scheme has finished for 2020/2021 and we are already looking forward to welcoming returning and new Champions and Ambassadors for the next academic year.

A celebratory event was held on the evening of 16 June and was well attended by Aurora Students, Aurora Staff and the Aurora and University of Iceland President, Jon Atli Benediktsson. 

A number of Champions and Ambassadors, shared personal reflections of their Aurora journey representing their own Universities on areas of importance to the Network and Alliance.

For those of you that were unable to attend please view the recording of the evenings event https://ueanorwich-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/k827_uea_ac_uk/EWBj5moeZ-JJmUEAm37myHQBgVBvtRxwfVK9B6xCyK7Yhg?e=BJK9TY

CALL – Martí i Franquès programme Doctoral Contracts at the University of Rovira i Virgili

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in Academics, CDS-Network, Students.

 

On the 1st of July, our partners at at the Univerity of Rovira i Virgili (URV), opened the call for applications for each one of the three editions of their Martí i Franquès programme: standard, with 28 contracts; COFUND, with 20, and Banco Santander, with 13. The deadline for applications is 6 September 2021.

The Martí i Franquès is a programme of URV grants that aims to increase the University’s human resources in the field of research. At the same time, it reinforces doctoral programmes, doctoral theses and the training of doctoral students on research and innovation projects. This Thursday is the first day for applications for 61 contracts of three different editions; the standard (28), COFUND (20) and Banco Santander (13). The successful applicants will be employed for up to three years. The call provides contracts in all fields of research at the URV. Applications can be made online until 6 September 2021.

Standard edition

Candidates for the standard edition can opt for a 1-year contract, extendable to 3 years, for doing a doctoral thesis as a member of a research group on one of the doctoral programmes taught at the University. The successful candidates are obliged to submit a doctoral thesis at the University but they will also be given the opportunity to do some teaching. Likewise, they will be able to take part in training programmes for specific purposes and general competencies, and they will have access to high-quality research infrastructure in a highly international environment. One of the 28 contracts on offer has been funded by the Fundació I2Cat (Internet and Digital Innovation in Catalonia). The successful candidates will be able to start work at the University as from December 2021.

Banco Santander edition

For the first time on the Martí i Franquès programme, this call for applications has a new type of edition thanks to the renewal of the collaboration agreement between the URV and the Banco Santander. This agreement has an effect on a variety of areas and can be divided into three main parts: education, employability and entrepreneurship. Education is a strategic aim and the 13 predoctoral contracts in this area have funding of €880,000. Thanks to the sensitivity and the commitment of this financial institution to the recruitment of talent and training, the funding of the Martí i Franquès programme has increased significantly.

COFUND edition

The Martí i Franquès COFUND project is co-financed by the European Union as part of the COFUND Doctoral Programme of Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) in Horizon 2020. The 20 contracts that were still pending, one of which is reserved for a disabled person, are now being announced. The aim is to attract highly talented research staff from all over the world and give them the chance to have a research career at the URV. The contracts that will be signed by the successful candidates, aligned with the MSCA contract standards, substantially improve the contract conditions in terms of salaries and the availability of funds for research expenses. Among other eligibility criteria, the candidates cannot have resided for more than 12 months in the previous 3 years in Spain. That is to say, the aim is to locate international students with a master’s degree or equivalent or Spanish researchers who have been away and wish to return. A committee made up of URV staff and external evaluators will assess the candidates’ training, research results, professional experience, motivation and references.

The Tarragona Provincial Council (Diputació de Tarragona) supports the activity of the URV, including the Martí i Franquès Programme.

For further information: https://www.urv.cat/en/research/support/programmes/marti-franques/