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A group of people wearing lanyards pose for a photo in front of a white building.
Group photo from the HESPRI project kick-off meeting, UAIC, Iași, Romania, January 2023 © Adrian Pleșescu, 2023

ProjectHESPRI

A blueprint for better university research, teaching, and policymaking

Elevating Higher Education Public Policies: an empowering Springboard (HESPRI)

"Connected, empowered, renewed: The HESPRI project improves Higher Education by turning evidence into decisions that shape learners’ futures worldwide." - Prof. Nicoleta Popa

Project impact

As part of the HESPRI project, academic and non-academic organisations from Europe, Japan, Chile and Kuwait came together to find out what works and what doesn’t in their higher education policies. They joined forces to develop quality indicators and improve how they communicate with policymakers. They have developed quality indicators across digitalisation, social equality and sustainability dimensions, and have helped researchers in STEM and SSH strengthen their communication with policymakers. This included comparing higher education systems to identify key tensions, particularly around gender and internationalisation; exploring how digitalisation and open science are reshaping universities; and contributing scientific evidence to policymaking processes. Overall, the project has enhanced university research, teaching, and policy engagement across Europe. It has developed tools to modernise university governance and improve the use of digital technology. By bringing science closer to citizens, the HESPRI project also helps strengthen social cohesion and supports universities in addressing real-world challenges in their regions and communities.

  • Coordinator

    Romania

    Universitatea Alexandru Ioan Cuza din Iasi

  • Participating and partners countries

    • France
      • Université de Strasbourg
      • Sorbonne Université
      • Institut Européen d'Études du Développement
    • Germany
      • Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen
    • Italy
      • Universita degli Studi di Torino
    • Moldova
      • Asociatia Obsteasca Institutul pentru Politici si Reforme Europene
      • Universitatea Americană din Moldova
      • Universitatea de Studii Politice si Economice Europene Constantin Stere
    • Portugal
      • Centro de Investigação de Políticas do Ensino Superior

    • Chile
      • Universidad Andrés Bello
    • Japan
      • Kokuritsu Daigaku Hojin Okayama Daigaku
      • The Doshisha
    • Kuwait
      • The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training

  • Project duration

    1 January 2023 - 31 December 2026

  • Funding scheme

    MSCA Staff Exchange

  • Net EU contribution

    € 1 439 800,00

  • Strategic topic

    Democracy