The UN Task Force Responsible Internationalization and Global Engagement (RIGE) was established in 2022 to promote university internationalization, global engagement and science diplomacy practices that are consistent with and actively support the protection and promotion of core academic values, especially academic freedom and academic responsibilityacross the Utrecht Network, European University Networks, and beyond.

The current situation in which universities find themselves is characterized by global societal challenges coupled with increasing geopolitical tensions, multiple crises, rapidly evolving nationalism, populism and autocratization (also in Europe).

This is accompanied by threats to academic freedom, institutional autonomy and the human rights of students and scholars. As a result, the internationalization and global engagement of universities is becoming increasingly important – if not indispensable – but also more complex, challenging and risky.

As a European network with an international outlook dedicated to the internationalization of higher education, the Utrecht Network (UN) is in a unique position and has a special role to play in responding to these challenges in a responsible way and in supporting and engaging its member institutions accordingly.

Activities

  • Support at-risk students, scholars, and institutions
  • Address geopolitical tensions, nationalism, and threats to academic freedom
  • Encourage responsible and value-based international collaboration

Members

  • Iris Vernekohl, Ruhr University Bochum, Chair
  • Monika Sprung, Ruhr University Bochum, Co-Chair
  • Dr. Claire Dorrity, University College Cork 
  • Prof. Szumiło-Kulczycka, Jagiellonian University 
  • Prof. Mathieu Schneider, University of Strasbourg 
  • Prof. Alexandros Triantafyllidis, Aristotle University Thessaloniki 
  • Prof. Marco Borraccetti, University of Bologna

Affiliate Members

  • Prof. Markus Koller, Ruhr University Bochum
  • Prof. Ioannis Papageorgiou, Aristotle University Thessaloniki
  • Kristina Mantasasvili, Aristotle University Thessaloniki 
  • Konstantina Tolia, Aristotle University Thessaloniki

For enquiries about the Task Force please contact: iris.vernekohl@rub.de