ENHANCE VP Research Meeting 2025 – Key Summary | Gdańsk University of Technology

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From 12–14 November 2025, Gdańsk University of Technology hosted the ENHANCE VP Research Meeting, gathering representatives from leading technical universities in Europe: Gdańsk University of Technology, Politecnico di Milano, RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Berlin, ETH Zürich, TU Delft, Warsaw University of Technology and Chalmers University of Technology. Doctoral schools, Vice-Rectors for Research, legal advisors and young researchers met to compare institutional approaches, identify shared challenges and define joint priorities for the next stage of ENHANCE collaboration.

Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector

Despite differences in national systems and internal structures, participants recognised that early-career researchers across all institutions face similar issues: limited funding, inconsistent supervision practices, publishing pressure, administrative complexity and unequal access to research resources. These concerns, reinforced during the Young Researchers Day workshops, formed the basis for collective recommendations.

Main Outcomes

1. Strengthened Inter-University Cooperation

Partners agreed to intensify collaboration between doctoral schools, enhance information flow across institutions and continue developing joint supervision initiatives, including cotutelles and coordinated training.

2. Clear Priorities for Supporting Young Researchers

Young researchers asked for support in several key areas, highlighting the following needs and expectations:

• Supervision & Mentoring: clearer supervision standards, structured feedback, supervisor training, cross-institutional mentoring.
• Skills and Leadership Development: training in teaching, research management, leadership, teamwork and open science.
• Mobility & Internships: accessible mobility grants, industry placements, ENHANCE-wide internship opportunities.
• Funding & Resources: expanded micro-grants, better access to equipment, licences, digital tools and open data.
• Publishing & Assessment: support with publishing, sharing best practices, CoARA-aligned assessment reforms.
• Wellbeing & Community-Building: peer networks, stress-management initiatives, integration of international PhD candidates.

3. Strategic Decisions for ENHANCE

The Alliance formally initiated the ENHANCE Research Working Group to coordinate future research activities and joint initiatives. Recommendations developed by young researchers will be integrated into the next ENHANCE project proposal.

Photographer: Joanna Szakoła/Gdańsk Tech

A Shared Direction Forward

The meeting confirmed that ENHANCE universities, though diverse, share common goals and challenges. By committing to joint action—especially in supporting early-career researchers—the Alliance aims to build a more connected, innovative and researcher-friendly European academic environment with young scientists at its centre.

Photographer: Joanna Szakoła/Gdańsk Tech

See all Photos from VP Research 2025!

📷 VP Research Photos Repository