BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.3.5//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:5@charm-eu.eu DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261014 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261015 DTSTAMP:20260914T135914Z URL:https://charm-eu.eu/news-events/events/charm-eu-annual-conference-2026 / SUMMARY:CHARM-EU Annual Conference 2026 DESCRIPTION: \n In an era of accelerating geopolitical\, tec hnological\, and environmental crisis\, what is the anchor that prevents o ur societies from drifting apart? This question lies at the heart of the C HARM-EU Annual Conference 2026. As we face disruptions that test our socia l fabric\, we recognize that true resilience depends on foundational value s—democracy\, trust\, and inclusion. These values underpin resilient soc ieties and enable constructive dialogue and collective action in times of crisis.\nEuropean University Alliances are uniquely positioned to protect these values by serving as long-term\, systemic spaces for democratic lear ning and practice. By integrating innovative governance\, transdisciplinar y research\, and deep engagement with our cities and regions\, we are movi ng beyond traditional education to build sustainable welfare societies. At the conference\, we will gather to explore how our transnational cooperat ion can act as a platform for co-creation\, ensuring a resilient future fo r Europe and beyond.\nSessions will cover topics such as: \;\n\nSocial Entrepreneurship\nTransdisciplinarity\nThe role of alliances in times of crises\nDemocratic values in the classroom\nOpen Science\nDemocracy labs\n \nVenue: \;Astra\, Porthaninkatu 3\, Turku\, Finland\nHow to arrive: h ttps://share.google/Gm1ISsiOAo11s9cMO \;\nFormat: On-site with partial live streaming. The morning pannel session will be live streamed on the C HARM-EU YouTube Channel. The rest of the conference is designed to be atte nded onsite only.\nHost of the CHARM-EU Annual Conference 2026: Åbo Akade mi University \n \n Registrations are open (deadline 30 Septe mber)\n \n CALL for posters \n The Open Call for Posters for t he CHARM-EU Annual Conference 2026 is officially live. Whether you are an academic\, a student\, support staff\, or an external stakeholder\, we wan t to hear your voice on topics like inclusive university cultures\, educat ional innovation\, and transnational cooperation.If accepted\, you'll get to pitch your work in person this October 14th at Åbo Akademi University in Turku\, Finland. There you will engage with higher education change-mak ers\, and have your work featured in the CHARM-EU resource centre.Don’t miss your chance to contribute to sustainable welfare societies—review t he submission guidelines and submit your abstract before September 15th. \n \n View the Open Call\n \n PROGRAMME \n Full sp eaker lineup and detailed session abstracts are currently being finalized. Please check back for updates. \n \n \n Morning Sessions \n \n \n \n 8:00 –\; 9:00 Registration &\; Coffee9: 00 –\; 9:15 Opening by Rector Professor Gunilla WidénRector of host university ÅAU\, Professor Gunilla Widén\, welcomes the conference part icipants. 9:15 –\; 9:45 Universities as democratic actors Keynote Sp eech by ÅAU Professor Kimmo Grönlund9:45 –\; 10:45 From Mobility to Democratic resilience: The Role of European University alliances –\; Panel SessionEuropean University alliances are often framed as vehicles f or mobility and institutional cooperation\, yet their potential role in su pporting democratic values remains underdeveloped. In a context of growing political fragmentation across Europe\, this panel examines how alliances can move beyond exchange formats such as Erasmus+ and contribute to democ ratic resilience. Moderator: Doris Alexander\, Associate Director of Euro pean Engagement and Director of CHARM-EU\, Trinity College Dublin\; Chair\ , Research &\; Innovation Topical Group\, FOREU4ALLPanelists: Anders A dlercreutz\, Finland’\;s Minister of EducationMaria Kelo\, European U niversity Association (EUA)Karl Stoeckel\, CIVIS Executive DirectorRapport eur: Lena Wassermann\, Advisor to the Vice President for Internationalisat ion at the University of Würzburg and supports the university’s strateg ic engagement within the CHARM-EU Alliance10:45 –\; 11:15 Coffee Brea k and posters gallery walk11:15 –\; 12:00 Design processes and init iatives for promoting sustainability leadership\, civic engagement and inclusive mindset: the REDINEST Impact Labs –\; Interactive LectureG et inspired by the story of a journey that transformed the entrepreneurshi p education for computer science students into an international level in terdisciplinary and impactful initiative: educational methods\, goals\, a chievements\, and activities for a student-powered and challenge-based imp act lab network for the development of transformative competencies and in clusive mindset. Share your thoughts and ideas on creating cross-subject\ , cross-faculty and cross-institutional learning opportunities that form s ustainability leadership and civic engagement skills of future changemaker s. Lecturer: Dr. Barbara Hegyi\, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Educatio n Coordinator at Eötvös Loránd University Budapest (ELTE)Rapporteurs: A nikó Gál Bélteki and Ferenc Takó from Eötvös Loránd University Bud apest (ELTE)12:15 –\; 13:15 Group Picture12:15 –\; 13:15 Lunch \n \n \n \n Afternoon Sessions \n \n \n \n 13:30 –\; 15:00 Workshops –\; parallel sessions \n \n Workshop 1 \n \n \n Workshop 2 \n \n \n Wor kshop 3 \n \n \n Workshop 4 \n \n \n Workshop 5 \n \n \n Workshop 6&\;7 \n \n SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: BUIL DING SOLUTIONS FOR RESILIENT COMMUNITIES How can we turn academic ideas i nto tools for societal welfare? This workshop explores the link between in novation and social impact. Participants will work in small groups to R 20\;pitch”\; a solution to a local community challenge\, focusing on how entrepreneurship can support democratic values like equity and inclusi on. Speakers and Facilitators: Sonia Cantel\, Professor at the Universit y of MontpellierMaria Hämäläinen\, CHARM-EU AlumniPhoebe Sacares\, CHAR M-EU AlumniRaporteur: Roland Thaler\, Professor at the University of Montp ellier \n How to make your research or teaching methodologi es more transdisciplinar?Moving from theory to practice\, this session exp lores how researchers and teachers can adapt their projects/work on a more  transdisciplinar way of doing things.Speakers and Facilitators: Dr. Ja ke Rowan Byrne\,  Co-Director of CHARM-EU and Assistant Professor in Con temporary Teaching and Learning at the School of Education\, Trin ity College DublinOriol Uviedo Palomas\, Laboratory and project technicia n\, specialized in microplastics and citizen science\, University of Barce lonaRoger Strand\, full professor at the Centre for the Study of the Scie nces and the Humanities and researcher in the Theory of Science research g roup at the University of BergenThe winning team of the pitch competition at the CHARM-EU Doctoral Summer School 2026 on transdisciplinarity: Ellen Lund\, Study of religions\, Åbo Akademi UniversityOlympe Mahé Behaviora l Green Finance\, University of Montpellier\, FranceNiklas Reich\, Applied Mathematics\, Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences\, GermanyLinda Rup pert\, Literary Studies\, University of Würzburg\, Germany The team cons ists of four doctoral candidates\, working in four different fields\, at f our different universities\, in three different countries. The team worked on the question of how the Energy Vision 2040 – the switching of energy systems in the Turku region – can become a success. The team presented their winning pitch “Co-Creating the Energy Vision 2040” first at Åbo Akademi University in June 2026\, combining the input of extensive resear ch with economical methods and citizen participation.Raporteur: Mireia Via \, University of Barcelona \n \n From Inclusion to Resilience: European University Alliances in times of crises In recent years\, universities and alliances have had to r espond to different types of crises: social inequalities\, mental h ealth issues\, migration\, political tensions\, climate-related challe nges and increasing mistrust towards institutions. At the same time\,  European University Alliances are becoming long-term cooperation structur es with the capacity to connect universities\, local stakeholders an d communities across borders. This workshop would like to explote a simpl e questions: beyong academic cooperation\, how can alliances connect and s upport people and communities in crisis?  The workshop would also be  an opportunity to exchange experiences between alliances  and reflect collectively on what could realistically be developed together in the fu ture. Speakers:Karl Stoeckel\, CIVIS\, Executive DirectorAnnisa Triyanti\ , Utrecht University Rapporteur: Marvin Mendy\, University of Montpellier \n CHARM-EU Values in the Classroom: Practical Methods    How do we teach democracy? More importantly\, how do we create learnin g environments that allow students to experience democratic values in prac tice? This interactive session invites educators and students to explore h ow CHARM-EU values can be meaningfully embedded into teaching through Chal lenge-Based Learning (CBL).Together\, we will examine different dimensions of democracy in education: teaching about democracy\, teaching democratic values\, and democratising the classroom itself. Through discussion and a hands-on CBL mini-workshop\, participants will explore practical approach es for facilitating respectful dialogue\, navigating controversial topics\ , engaging diverse stakeholders\, and fostering participation in classroom s shaped by political\, cultural\, and societal tensions.Speakers &\; F acilitators: Nelli Piehl\, CHARM-EU alumna and Teaching and Project Assis tant at Åbo AkademiMartin Meggele Sjøen\, Professor of Educational Studi es at the Institute of Education\, University of BergenChristoph Mohamad-K lotzbach\, Political Scientist at the Institute of Political Science and S ociology at the JMU WürzburgRapporteurs:Nina ShielÁdám Tóth \n Open Science Made Simple: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society  Open Science is often seen as a technical hurdle\, but it is a democrati c tool. This workshop provides a “\;starter kit”\; for researche rs to make their work open and transparent. We will discuss the benefits o f sharing data and how it builds public trust in science and democratic in stitutions. Speakers &\; Facilitators: Balázs Aczél\, Vice Dean for Science at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of Eötvös Loránd Un iversityMalin FredrikssonRapporteurs:Anikó Gál BéltekiFerenc Takó \n  In the democratic lab: live deliberative experimentThe res ults of this experiment (including an analysis based on the questionnair es) will be presented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minutes.Facilitat ors:Isak VentoVilppu Kuusipalo \n 15:00 –\; 15:20 Post er Session –\; One-minute PitchesThe poster session will be a space w here members of European University Alliances\, university staff\, student s and external stakeholders can exchange ideas and discuss the posters. Poster presenters will give a minute pitch and then engage in discussions.  15:20 –\; 16:00 Poster Session &\; Coffee Break 16:00 –\; 16:15 Interactive QuizCultural interactive quiz with questions from Åbo Academy University and Finland: traditions\, music\, food\, culture\, hist ory\, and possibly Moomins16:15 –\; 17:00 Closing sessionRapporteurs will present the main conclusions of the workshops.Closing speech from Mer itxell Chaves\, CHARM-EU Secretary General17:15 –\; 19:00 Cocktail wi th musical elements by members of the student choirs Florakören and Brahe Djäknar \n \n \n \n Evening Programme \n \n \n \n After the conference you are welcome to the Archipelago bar (Skärgårdsbaren) in the centre of the city\, to continue the evenin g with food and drinks (at your own expense)\, karaoke\, dancing or just s ocializing. \n \n 8:00 - 9:00 Registration &\; Coffee9:00 - 9:15 Opening by Rector Professor Gunilla WidénRector of host university ÅAU\, Professor Gunilla Widén\, welcomes the conference participants.  9:15 - 9:45 Universities as democratic actors Keynote Speech by ÅAU Profe ssor Kimmo Grönlund9:45 - 10:45 From Mobility to Democratic resilience: T he Role of European University alliances - Panel SessionEuropean Universit y alliances are often framed as vehicles for mobility and institutional co operation\, yet their potential role in supporting democratic values remai ns underdeveloped. In a context of growing political fragmentation across Europe\, this panel examines how alliances can move beyond exchange format s such as Erasmus+ and contribute to democratic resilience. Moderator: Do ris Alexander\, Associate Director of European Engagement and Director of CHARM-EU\, Trinity College Dublin\; Chair\, Research &\; Innovation Top ical Group\, FOREU4ALLPanelists: Anders Adlercreutz\, Finland's Minister of EducationMaria Kelo\, European University Association (EUA)Karl Stoecke l\, CIVIS Executive DirectorRapporteur: Lena Wassermann\, Advisor to the V ice President for Internationalisation at the University of Würzburg and supports the university’s strategic engagement within the CHARM-EU Allia nce10:45 - 11:15 Coffee Break and posters gallery walk11:15 - 12:00 Design  processes and initiatives for promoting sustainability leadership\, c ivic engagement and inclusive mindset: the REDINEST Impact Labs - Intera ctive LectureGet inspired by the story of a journey that transformed the e ntrepreneurship education for computer science students into an internati onal level interdisciplinary and impactful initiative: educational metho ds\, goals\, achievements\, and activities for a student-powered and chall enge-based impact lab network for the development of transformative compe tencies and inclusive mindset. Share your thoughts and ideas on creating cross-subject\, cross-faculty and cross-institutional learning opportuniti es that form sustainability leadership and civic engagement skills of futu re changemakers. Lecturer: Dr. Barbara Hegyi\, Innovation and Entrepreneu rship Education Coordinator at Eötvös Loránd University Budapest (ELTE) Rapporteurs: Anikó Gál Bélteki and Ferenc Takó from Eötvös Loránd University Budapest (ELTE)12:15 - 13:15 Group Picture12:15 - 13:15 Lunch13 :30 - 15:00 Workshops - parallel sessions \n \n Workshop 1 \n \ n \n Workshop 2 \n \n \n Workshop 3 \n \n \n Works hop 4 \n \n \n Workshop 5 \n \n \n Workshop 6&\;7 \ n \n SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: BUILDING SOLUTIONS FOR RESILIENT CO MMUNITIES How can we turn academic ideas into tools for societal welfare? This workshop explores the link between innovation and social impact. Par ticipants will work in small groups to “\;pitch”\; a solution to a local community challenge\, focusing on how entrepreneurship can suppor t democratic values like equity and inclusion. Speakers and Facilitators:  Sonia Cantel\, Professor at the University of MontpellierMaria Hämälä inen\, CHARM-EU AlumniPhoebe Sacares\, CHARM-EU AlumniRaporteur: Roland Th aler\, Professor at the University of Montpellier \n How to make your research or teaching methodologies more transdisciplinar?Moving from theory to practice\, this session explores how researchers and teach ers can adapt their projects/work on a more transdisciplinar way of doin g things.Speakers and Facilitators: Dr. Jake Rowan Byrne\,  Co-Director of CHARM-EU and Assistant Professor in Contemporary Teaching and Learn ing at the School of Education\, Trinity College DublinOriol Uviedo Palomas\, Laboratory and project technician\, specialized in microplastic s and citizen science\, University of BarcelonaRoger Strand\, full profes sor at the Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities and res earcher in the Theory of Science research group at the University of Berge nThe winning team of the pitch competition at the CHARM-EU Doctoral Summer School 2026 on transdisciplinarity: Ellen Lund\, Study of religions\, Å bo Akademi UniversityOlympe Mahé Behavioral Green Finance\, University of Montpellier\, FranceNiklas Reich\, Applied Mathematics\, Ruhr West Univer sity of Applied Sciences\, GermanyLinda Ruppert\, Literary Studies\, Unive rsity of Würzburg\, Germany The team consists of four doctoral candidate s\, working in four different fields\, at four different universities\, in three different countries. The team worked on the question of how the Ene rgy Vision 2040 – the switching of energy systems in the Turku region – can become a success. The team presented their winning pitch “Co-Cre ating the Energy Vision 2040” first at Åbo Akademi University in June 2 026\, combining the input of extensive research with economical methods an d citizen participation.Raporteur: Mireia Via\, University of Barcelona \n \n From Inclusion to Resilien ce: European University Alliances in times of crises In recent years\,  universities and alliances have had to respond to different types of crises: social inequalities\, mental health issues\, migration\,  political tensions\, climate-related challenges and increasing mistrus t towards institutions. At the same time\, European University Allian ces are becoming long-term cooperation structures with the capacity to  connect universities\, local stakeholders and communities across border s. This workshop would like to explote a simple questions: beyong academi c cooperation\, how can alliances connect and support people and communiti es in crisis?  The workshop would also be an opportunity to exchang e experiences between alliances  and reflect collectively on what could r ealistically be developed together in the future. Speakers:Karl Stoecke l\, CIVIS\, Executive DirectorAnnisa Triyanti\, Utrecht University Rappor teur: Marvin Mendy\, University of Montpellier \n CHARM-EU  Values in the Classroom: Practical Methods   How do we teach democrac y? More importantly\, how do we create learning environments that allow st udents to experience democratic values in practice? This interactive sessi on invites educators and students to explore how CHARM-EU values can be me aningfully embedded into teaching through Challenge-Based Learning (CBL).T ogether\, we will examine different dimensions of democracy in education: teaching about democracy\, teaching democratic values\, and democratising the classroom itself. Through discussion and a hands-on CBL mini-workshop\ , participants will explore practical approaches for facilitating respectf ul dialogue\, navigating controversial topics\, engaging diverse stakehold ers\, and fostering participation in classrooms shaped by political\, cult ural\, and societal tensions.Speakers &\; Facilitators: Nelli Piehl\, CHARM-EU alumna and Teaching and Project Assistant at Åbo AkademiMartin M eggele Sjøen\, Professor of Educational Studies at the Institute of Educa tion\, University of BergenChristoph Mohamad-Klotzbach\, Political Scienti st at the Institute of Political Science and Sociology at the JMU Würzbur gRapporteurs:Nina ShielÁdám Tóth \n Open Science Made Si mple: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society Open Science is often seen as a technical hurdle\, but it is a democratic tool. This workshop provid es a “\;starter kit”\; for researchers to make their work open a nd transparent. We will discuss the benefits of sharing data and how it bu ilds public trust in science and democratic institutions. Speakers &\; Facilitators: Balázs Aczél\, Vice Dean for Science at the Faculty of E ducation and Psychology of Eötvös Loránd UniversityMalin FredrikssonRap porteurs:Anikó Gál BéltekiFerenc Takó \n  In the democ ratic lab: live deliberative experimentThe results of this experiment (in cluding an analysis based on the questionnaires) will be presented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minutes.Facilitators:Isak VentoVilppu Kuusipa lo \n SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: BUILDING SOLUTIONS FOR RESILIENT CO MMUNITIES How can we turn academic ideas into tools for societal welfare? This workshop explores the link between innovation and social impact. Par ticipants will work in small groups to "pitch" a solution to a local commu nity challenge\, focusing on how entrepreneurship can support democratic v alues like equity and inclusion. Speakers and Facilitators: Sonia Cantel \, Professor at the University of MontpellierMaria Hämäläinen\, CHARM-E U AlumniPhoebe Sacares\, CHARM-EU AlumniRaporteur: Roland Thaler\, Profess or at the University of MontpellierHow to make your research or teaching m ethodologies more transdisciplinar?Moving from theory to practice\, this s ession explores how researchers and teachers can adapt their projects/work on a more transdisciplinar way of doing things.Speakers and Facilitator s: Dr. Jake Rowan Byrne\,  Co-Director of CHARM-EU and Assistant Profes sor in Contemporary Teaching and Learning at the School of Educati on\, Trinity College DublinOriol Uviedo Palomas\, Laboratory and project technician\, specialized in microplastics and citizen science\, Universit y of BarcelonaRoger Strand\, full professor at the Centre for the Study o f the Sciences and the Humanities and researcher in the Theory of Science research group at the University of BergenThe winning team of the pitch co mpetition at the CHARM-EU Doctoral Summer School 2026 on transdisciplinari ty: Ellen Lund\, Study of religions\, Åbo Akademi UniversityOlympe Mahé Behavioral Green Finance\, University of Montpellier\, FranceNiklas Reich \, Applied Mathematics\, Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences\, German yLinda Ruppert\, Literary Studies\, University of Würzburg\, Germany The team consists of four doctoral candidates\, working in four different fie lds\, at four different universities\, in three different countries. The t eam worked on the question of how the Energy Vision 2040 – the switching of energy systems in the Turku region – can become a success. The team presented their winning pitch “Co-Creating the Energy Vision 2040” fir st at Åbo Akademi University in June 2026\, combining the input of extens ive research with economical methods and citizen participation.Raporteur: Mireia Via\, University of Barcelona \n \n From Inclusion to Resilience: European University Alliances in times of cr ises In recent years\, universities and alliances have had to resp ond to different types of crises: social inequalities\, mental heal th issues\, migration\, political tensions\, climate-related challenge s and increasing mistrust towards institutions. At the same time\, Eur opean University Alliances are becoming long-term cooperation structures  with the capacity to connect universities\, local stakeholders and communities across borders. This workshop would like to explote a simple questions: beyong academic cooperation\, how can alliances connect and sup port people and communities in crisis?  The workshop would also be a n opportunity to exchange experiences between alliances  and reflect col lectively on what could realistically be developed together in the futur e. Speakers:Karl Stoeckel\, CIVIS\, Executive DirectorAnnisa Triyanti\, U trecht University Rapporteur: Marvin Mendy\, University of MontpellierCHA RM-EU Values in the Classroom: Practical Methods   How do we teach dem ocracy? More importantly\, how do we create learning environments that all ow students to experience democratic values in practice? This interactive session invites educators and students to explore how CHARM-EU values can be meaningfully embedded into teaching through Challenge-Based Learning (C BL).Together\, we will examine different dimensions of democracy in educat ion: teaching about democracy\, teaching democratic values\, and democrati sing the classroom itself. Through discussion and a hands-on CBL mini-work shop\, participants will explore practical approaches for facilitating res pectful dialogue\, navigating controversial topics\, engaging diverse stak eholders\, and fostering participation in classrooms shaped by political\, cultural\, and societal tensions.Speakers &\; Facilitators: Nelli Pie hl\, CHARM-EU alumna and Teaching and Project Assistant at Åbo AkademiMar tin Meggele Sjøen\, Professor of Educational Studies at the Institute of Education\, University of BergenChristoph Mohamad-Klotzbach\, Political Sc ientist at the Institute of Political Science and Sociology at the JMU Wü rzburgRapporteurs:Nina ShielÁdám TóthOpen Science Made Simple: Sharing Knowledge for a Stronger Society Open Science is often seen as a technica l hurdle\, but it is a democratic tool. This workshop provides a "starter kit" for researchers to make their work open and transparent. We will disc uss the benefits of sharing data and how it builds public trust in science and democratic institutions. Speakers &\; Facilitators: Balázs Acz él\, Vice Dean for Science at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of Eötvös Loránd UniversityMalin FredrikssonRapporteurs:Anikó Gál Bélte kiFerenc Takó In the democratic lab: live deliberative experimentThe res ults of this experiment (including an analysis based on the questionnair es) will be presented with the closing remarks in 10-15 minutes.Facilitat ors:Isak VentoVilppu Kuusipalo15:00 - 15:20 Poster Session - One-minute Pi tchesThe poster session will be a space where members of European Universi ty Alliances\, university staff\, students and external stakeholders can e xchange ideas and discuss the posters. Poster presenters will give a min ute pitch and then engage in discussions. 15:20 - 16:00 Poster Session &a mp\; Coffee Break 16:00 - 16:15 Interactive QuizCultural interactive qui z with questions from Åbo Academy University and Finland: traditions\, mu sic\, food\, culture\, history\, and possibly Moomins16:15 - 17:00 Closing sessionRapporteurs will present the main conclusions of the workshops.Clo sing speech from Meritxell Chaves\, CHARM-EU Secretary General17:15 - 19:0 0 Cocktail with musical elements by members of the student choirs Florakö ren and Brahe DjäknarAfter the conference you are welcome to the Archipel ago bar (Skärgårdsbaren) in the centre of the city\, to continue the eve ning with food and drinks (at your own expense)\, karaoke\, dancing or jus t socializing. \n SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS \n \n Balázs Acz él \n \n \n Anders Adlercreutz \n \n \n Doris Alexander \n \n \n Jake Byrne \n \n \n Meritxell Chaves \n \n \n Malin Fredriksson \n \n \n Anikó Gál Bélteki \n \n \n Kimmo Grönlund \n \n \n Maria Hämäläinen \n \n \n Barbara Hegyi \n \n \n Maria Kelo \n \n \n Vilpp u Kuusipalo \n \n \n Marvin Mendy \n \n \n Christoph Moh amad-Klotzbach \n \n \n Nelli Piehl \n \n \n Phoebe Saca res \n \n \n Nina Shiel \n \n \n Martin Sjøen \n \n \n Karl Stoeckel \n \n \n Roger Strand \n \n \n Fe renc Tackó \n \n \n Ádám Tóth \n \n \n Annisa Triyan ti \n \n \n Oriol Uviedo \n \n \n Mireia Via \n \n \n Lena Wassermann \n \n \n Gunilla Widén \n \n Bal ázs Aczél\nVice Dean for Science at the Faculty of Education and Psychol ogy of Eötvös Loránd University \n Balázs Aczél is Vice De an for Science at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of Eötvös Lor ánd University\, Budapest\, where he is also Professor of Psychology. He has been actively involved in the CHARM-EU alliance through the TORCH proj ect\, leading its Open Science activities\, and continues to contribute to the alliance’\;s research and innovation initiatives within the CHAR M-EIGHT project. His research focuses on metascience\, with particular emp hasis on research methodology\, open science\, and improving the robustnes s and credibility of scientific research. Through his research\, teaching\ , and international collaborations\, he promotes the adoption of transpare nt and reproducible research practices and supports the development of res earch capacity across the CHARM-EU partner institutions. \n \n Anders Adlercreutz\, Finland's Minister of Ed ucation \n Anders Adlercreutz (b. 1970) is Chair of the Swedis h People’s Party of Finland since June 2024 and the current Minister of Education. He graduated as an architect from Helsinki University of Techno logy in 1999. Adlercreutz’\;s political career began when he was elec ted to Kirkkonummi Municipal Council in 2013\, he served as Chair of the C ouncil from 2017 to 2023. He has been a Member of Parliament since 2015 an d served as Chair of SFP’s Parliamentary Group from 2019 to 2023. During the years in Parliament\, Adlercreutz was a member of several Committees\ , eg. the Finance Committee\, the Defence Committee\, the Administration C ommittee\, and the Environmental Committee. Before becoming Minister of Ed ucation he served as Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering f or the first year of the Orpo Government\, from June 2023 to June 2024. Mi nister Adlercreutz is married\, has 5 children\, is fluent in 7 languages and is an avid cello player in his free time. \n \n Doris Alexander\, Associate Director of European Engagem ent\, Trinity College Dublin \n Doris Alexander has worked in Research Management Administration since 1994\, taking up her current post as Associate Director of European Engagement in 2019 and is responsible f or the development of strategies of engagement\, working to get early insi ght on new EU policy/initiatives so as to maximise the opportunity space f or Trinity. She is currently engaged in the implementation of aspects of t he ERA policy agenda. She has been involved in several EC stakeholder gro ups including the co-creation of the European Universities initiative\, is the co-director of CHARM-EU alliance in Trinity College and a member of t he Executive Board. She was Chair of the R&\;I subgroup of the FOREU1 n etwork (the network of the 17 European Universities alliances funded throu gh the first Erasmus+ pilot call) and is currently chair of the R&\;I T opical Group (part of FOREU4ALL) for all alliances.Doris holds a BA in Mat hematical Science and an MSc in Computer Science (Health Informatics) from Trinity College Dublin. \n \n Jak e Rowan ByrneCo-Director of CHARM-EU and Assistant Professor in Contempora ry Teaching and Learning at the School of Education\, Trinity College Dubl in \n Dr. Jake Rowan Byrne is Co-Director of CHARM-EU and Assis tant Professor in Contemporary Teaching and Learning at the School of Educ ation\, Trinity College Dublin. His research and practice focus on transdi sciplinary education\, challenge-based learning\, innovative curriculum de sign\, and the development of learner agency through collaborative educati onal approaches. As a member of CHARM-EU’\;s Knowledge Creating Teams (KCTs)\, he has helped design and deliver transnational educational exper iences\, including leading the development and initial delivery of the Tra nsdisciplinary Research Module within the CHARM-EU Master’\;s in Glob al Challenges for Sustainability. He also serves as a lead facilitator wit hin the KCT delivering the CHARM Doctoral Summer School\, supporting docto ral researchers as they work in transdisciplinary teams to address complex societal challenges. Jake’\;s work is grounded in the belief that e ducation has long been a naturally transdisciplinary endeavour. Designing meaningful learning requires collaboration not only across academic discip lines but also with policymakers\, school leaders\, teachers\, learners\, families\, communities\, industry and civil society. His experience contri buting to the development of Ireland’\;s national Leaving Certificate Computer Science curriculum exemplifies this approach\, bringing together diverse stakeholders to co-create educational innovation. Through his res earch and leadership\, Jake explores how distributed leadership\, particip atory design and collaborative knowledge creation can strengthen education al ecosystems and build the capacity needed to address the complex challen ges facing society. \n \n Meritxel l ChavesSecretary General of European University of CHARM-EU \n Meritxell Chaves has more than thirty years of experience in the higher education sector\, in four universities of the Catalan university system\, in different functional areas of the University such as academic manageme nt\, strategic planning\, quality and accreditation\, and international re lations in different organisational cultures. As Secretary General of Eur opean University of CHARM-EU since the start of the initiative in 2019 she has been leading CHARM-EU team. \n \n Malin FredrikssonLeading Coordinator for Open Science at Åbo Akademi University \n Malin Fredriksson (MSocSc\, MA) works as the Lea ding Coordinator for Open Science at Åbo Akademi University. She has seve ral years of experience in the library and university sector\, with a stro ng focus on advancing open science and responsible research practices. Her work centers on supporting researchers through open science policies\, se rvices\, training\, and the development of inclusive approaches to opennes s in research. Her academic background is in information studies\, with a particular interest in open access publishing and the implementation of op en science practices. She also has a background in the humanities\, partic ularly the study of religions and cultures. \n \n Anikó Gál BéltekiCHARM-EU Manager at ELTE \n Anikó Gál Bélteki is acting as CHARM-EU project manager at the Eötvö s Loránd University\, Budapest. She has already been involved in the alli ance’s R&\;I dimension project TORCH and now focuses her efforts on t he smooth running of the CHARM-EIGHT project. Holding a degree in agricult ural and environmental sciences and being a qualified translator\, she has gained work experience in an international environment from multinational companies through projects of universities and conservation NGOs affiliat ed to global networks. Due to her diverse administrative and coordinator r oles she regularly participates in the meetings of various governing board s and offices of CHARM European University and provides assistance for som e work packages\, which means being in daily work contact with the represe ntatives of partner institutions. \n \ n Kimmo GrönlundProfessor of Political Science and Director of the So cial Science Research Institute at Åbo Akademi University \n K immo Grönlund is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Socia l Science Research Institute at Åbo Akademi University. Currently\, he is also member of the Board of Åbo Akademi University. His research interes ts include democratic innovations\, public opinion\, and electoral behavio r. He has published widely\, especially on controlled experiments with del iberative mini-publics in journals such as Political Behavior\, Internatio nal Political Science Review and Scandinavian Political Studies. He is the Director of the Finnish Research Infrastructure for Public Opinion FIRIPO and the research consortium STRONG – Implementing democratic innovation s\, funded by the Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Fi nland (2024–2030). Moreover\, he is a widely used expert commentator on politics in Finland\, and he has been the electoral commentator of the lar gest Finnish commercial TV channel MTV3 since 2006. \n \n Maria HämäläinenCHARM-EU MSc in Global Challeng es for Sustainability alumna \n Maria Hämäläinen is a recent graduate of the CHARM-EU MSc in Global Challenges for Sustainability. Ove r two years\, her studies took her from Utrecht to Barcelona and Montpelli er\, where she specialised in the Food track. Her work focused on agrifood transitions\, Mediterranean food systems\, and the social dimensions of s ustainability\, culminating in a Capstone thesis on the social acceptance of seaweed cultivation in the Thau Lagoon. Prior to joining CHARM-EU\, Ma ria completed a BSc in Sustainable Urban Planning at Tampere University\, Finland\, where her research explored gender mainstreaming through partici patory urban planning processes. This experience sparked her long-standing interest in the governance and community dimensions of sustainability. Be yond academia\, she has been actively involved in climate justice initiati ves and is currently volunteering with a Ghana-based non-profit organisati on working at the intersection of gender equity and climate action. She is also contributing to a research project on inclusive energy governance th rough the YES-Europe Africa-Europe collaboration programme. \n \n Barbara Hegyi economist with a PhD in Regi onal Sciences \n Barbara Hegyi is an economist\, with a PhD in Regional Sciences. She coordinates the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Edu cation at ELTE Faculty of Informatics. Designer and implementer of several courses that embrace sustainability and social responsibility. Coordinate s the REDINEST Impact Labs programme at an international level. \n \n Maria KeloDirector of Institutional De velopment at European University Association (EUA) \n Maria Kel o is Director of Institutional Development at European University Associat ion (EUA). The unit’s work focuses on recognition\, quality assurance\, rankings\, and learning and teaching\, including the European Degree. She is a member of the Swiss Accreditation Council\, vice-president of the Eur opean Quality Assurance Register\, and co-represents EUA in the Bologna Pr ocess.Before joining EUA in 2022\, Maria was the Director of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education\, and previously wor ked in different European organisations in higher education. \n \n Vilppu Kuusipalo\, project coordinator at the Finnish Research Infrastructure for Public Opinion (FIRIPO) \n Vilppu Kuusipalo works as a project coordinator at the Finnish Resear ch Infrastructure for Public Opinion (FIRIPO)\, which operates the two del iberation laboratories at Åbo Akademi University. Vilppu is responsible f or the day-to-day activities at FIRIPO\, such as making sure that the labo ratories function efficiently\, coordinating research-related activities\, supporting visiting researchers\, and maintaining the infrastructure need ed for high-quality public opinion and deliberation studies.In his role\, Vilppu works closely with researchers and other project partners to facili tate the planning and implementation of experiments\, surveys\, and events . He also contributes to the development and promotion of FIRIPO’s servi ces\, helping researchers make use of innovative methods and facilities fo r studying public opinion\, citizen participation\, and democratic process es.Vilppu’s background is in humanities\, and he is interested in variou s aspects of societies\, cultures and human interaction. \n \n Marvin MendyStrategic Partnerships Officer at the University of Montpellier \n Marvin Mendy is Strategic Par tnerships Officer at the University of Montpellier and leads Work Package 14 (Worldwide Academic Partnership Network). Over the past eight years\, h e has worked at the intersection of international relations\, diplomacy an d project management across the higher education\, public and private sect ors. His expertise includes the design and implementation of international cooperation strategies\, institutional partnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives.Within CHARM-EU\, Marvin is responsible for developing long-t erm partnerships beyond Europe and advancing the Alliance’\;s global engagement strategy\, particularly with Africa and other strategic regions . His work focuses on building sustainable international cooperation frame works that connect higher education\, research and societal stakeholders. \n \n Christoph Mohamad-KlotzbachP olitical Scientist at the Institute of Political Science and Sociology at the JMU Würzburg\n \n Dr. Christoph Mohamad-Klotzbach is a Pol itical Scientist at the Institute of Political Science and Sociology at th e JMU Würzburg. His research focuses on democracy and democratization\, s cientific concepts\, political culture\, statehood\, political parties\, e nvironmental health and sustainability. He is currently part of the EU-fun ded interdisciplinary research project MARKOPOLO\, which is attached to th e Professorship of Social Science Sustainability Studies\, and studies kno wledge transfer in environmental health. \n \n Nelli PiehlCHARM-EU alumna and Teaching &\; Project Assist ant at Åbo Akademi \n Nelli Piehl is a CHARM-EU alumna and Te aching and Project Assistant at Åbo Akademi\, where she also supports CHA RM-EU’\;s Diversity\, Equity and Inclusion work. She is an early-care er socio-ecological researcher with a particular interest in participatory approaches and equity and inclusion across international contexts.  \n \n Phoebe SacaresCHARM-EU MSc in Gl obal Challenges for Sustainability alumna \n Phoebe Sacares is a graduate of the CHARM-EU MSc in Global Challenges for Sustainability\,  having studied in Barcelona and Montpellier over two years of transdiscip linary learning and research. Specialising in the Water track\, her work f ocused on a range of water-related sustainability challenges\, including s upporting livelihoods amid aquatic ecosystem disruption in East Africa\, d eveloping water-efficient infrastructure in Dublin\, and addressing drough t resilience in Catalonia. These experiences sparked a strong interest in tackling water-related sustainability issues.Prior to joining CHARM-EU\, s he completed a BSc in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of York ( UK). With a keen interest in applying science\, data analysis\, and mappin g to environmental challenges\, she is pursuing a career at the intersecti on of sustainability and evidence-based decision-making. She is currently volunteering with the London Wildlife Trust\, contributing to practical co nservation projects and gaining first-hand insight into the importance of community engagement in translating global climate goals into local action . \n \n Nina ShielResponsible Rese arch &\; Innovation Specialist for CHARM-EU at Trinity College Dublin \n Dr Nina Shiel (she/they) is Responsible Research &\; Innov ation Specialist for CHARM-EU\, based at Trinity College Dublin. With a Ph D in Comparative Literature focusing on immersive virtual spaces\, and ove r a decade of experience in research development and European R&\;I str ategy across leading Irish and UK universities\, her professional interest s include inter/transdisciplinary research\, research culture\, and inters ectional equality\, diversity and inclusion. Her work as the leader of two work packages in the Horizon 2020 Science with and for Society (SwafS)-fu nded TORCH project\, developing CHARM-EU’\;s shared research and inno vation agenda\, was recognised with the Trinity Research Excellence Award in 2023. She is committed to fostering inclusive\, challenge-driven resear ch and international collaboration.   \n \n Martin Meggele SjøenProfessor of Educational Studies at the I nstitute of Education at the University of Bergen \n Dr. Martin Meggele Sjøen is a Professor of Educational Studies at the Institute of Education at the University of Bergen. He holds a Ph.D. in Security Studie s from the University of Stavanger. Dr. Sjøen’s research explores democ racy\, education\, political violence and peacebuilding\, with a specific focus on the intersection of education and security. \n \n Karl StoeckelExecutive Director of the CIVIS Euro pean University Alliance \n Karl Stoeckel is Executive Director of the CIVIS European University Alliance\, coordinated by Aix-Marseille University\, where he leads the alliance’s coordination team and support s its governance\, strategic development and long-term sustainability. CIV IS brings together 17 universities across Europe and Africa\, representing more than 500\,000 students and 80\,000 academic and professional staff.  With over 15 years of experience in European research\, innovation and h igher education policy\, Karl has worked extensively on European strategy\ , institutional relations\, science diplomacy\, international partnerships and the development and management of EU-funded projects. He previously r epresented Aix-Marseille University in Brussels\, working with the Europea n Commission\, the European Parliament\, Member States’ Permanent Repres entations and European research and innovation stakeholders. His experien ce also includes senior responsibilities at the French National Research I nstitute for Development (IRD)\, where he contributed to European strategy and Horizon Europe programming\, and teaching European research and innov ation policy at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. He is particularly interested in building sustainable\, place-based partnerships and in strengthening co operation between universities\, research organisations and European and i nternational stakeholders.  \n \n Roger StrandProfessor at the University of Bergen\, Norway \n Roger Strand is Professor at the University of Bergen\, Norway. His resear ch focuses on the governance of science\, technology\, and innovation\, wi th particular attention to complexity\, uncertainty\, and sustainability. He works at the intersection of philosophy\, science and technology studie s\, and policy-oriented research\, contributing to the development of fram eworks for responsible research and innovation (RRI). A record of his scho larly publications is found at https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6159-1586.Stran d has been involved in a range of European and international projects addr essing the role of expertise\, interdisciplinary collaboration\, and socie tal engagement in research and innovation. His work includes contributions to environmental governance\, sustainability transitions\, and science-po licy interfaces. He is the Co-Director of the non-profit NGO called the Eu ropean Centre for Governance in Complexity (www.ecgc.eu). \n \n Ferenc TakóMember of the CHARM-EU Executive Board\, CHARM-EU Director and Head of the Rector’s Cabinet CHARM-EU Off ice\, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) \n Ferenc Takó studi ed Philosophy and Japanese Studies at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)\, Budapest\, Hungary\, where he currently lectures at the Department of Jap anese Studies. He used to be head of the Rector’s Cabinet International Strategy Office at ELTE between 2018 and 2021. Since 2021\, he is head of the Rector’s Cabinet CHARM-EU Office and ELTE Executive Director of CHAR M-EU. \n \n Ádám TóthResearcher at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht Univer sity. \n Ádám Tóth is a researcher in (ground)water\, sustai nability and education innovation at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainab le Development at Utrecht University. Ádám is the co-lead of the educati onal practice work package of the CHARM-EIGHT project. He is involved in u pdating the existing master’\;s programme in Global Challenges for Su stainability\, exploring educational opportunities for a broader audience to develop knowledge\, including a strategy for micro-credentials\, badges \, and continuing education\, as well as a team-based\, transdisciplinary joint CHARM-EU Doctoral programme. \n \n Dr. Annisa TriyantiAssistant Professor\, Disaster and Climate Risk Governance for Sustainability\, at Utrecht University \n Dr. An nisa Triyanti is an Assistant Professor of Disaster and Climate Risk Gover nance for Sustainability at Utrecht University. Born in Indonesia\, she ea rned her PhD from the University of Amsterdam. Her research connects grass roots practices with global policy\, focusing on community self-governance and mangrove ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction in Asia. In her teac hing\, she emphasizes public engagement and promotes the role of European University Alliances in addressing societal challenges. Serving as Academi c Director of CHARM-EU for Utrecht University\, she supports collaborative \, cross-boundary education. For three consecutive years\, she has also co ordinated the Capstone module for the CHARM-EU Master’s in Global Challe nges for Sustainability\, a transdisciplinary program where students condu ct research alongside external stakeholders to tackle real-world issues. B eyond her academic roles\, Dr. Triyanti has engaged in intergovernmental p olicy dialogues on climate change and sustainable development since 2014. As part of this work\, she represented young scientists in the Global Scie nce and Technology Advisory Group for the UN Office for Disaster Risk Redu ction (UNDRR) from 2017 to 2019. \n \n Oriol UviedoLaboratory and project technician\, specialized in microp lastics and citizen science \n Ever since my childhood\, I have known that I wanted to pursue a career related to the ocean\, and that ha s indeed been the case. In 2020\, I graduated with a degree in Marine Scie nces from the University of Barcelona (UB)\, and I currently serve as a la boratory and project technician\, specialized in microplastics and citizen science. One of the principal initiatives I lead is the ‘\;Surfing F or Science’\; project\, which has a well-defined objective: to quanti fy and characterize microplastics in the coastal areas of the western Medi terranean through citizen science. In this manner\, we generate scientific knowledge while simultaneously raising awareness about the critical issue of plastic pollution in our seas and oceans.Utilizing the methodology dev eloped in ‘\;Surfing For Science’\;\, we initiated the TRAP proj ect. While sharing the same core objectives\, this initiative expands the scope of research to rivers\, combined sewer overflows (CSOs)\, and the op en sea in order to analyse the transport and exchange of particles across these diverse systems. Furthermore\, I have participated in the OSES proje ct (Ocean Sustainability Through Education and Sport)\, where we developed best-practice manuals and fieldwork kits designed to enable marine recrea tional users\, as sailors\, divers or surfers\, to collect reliable scient ific data. Through these efforts\, our ultimate goal is to foster public a wareness regarding the anthropogenic threats and impacts currently facing our marine ecosystems. \n \n Mirei a Via\nResearch Support Technician at CHARM-EU \n Mireia Via ob tained her PhD in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling from t he University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). After that\, she left acade mia aside but not the world of research entirely. Since then\, she has ded icated her career to supporting research\, working as a support technician in a chemistry research group at the University of Barcelona (UB)\, and a t the UB’\;s International Research Projects Office. She has also bee n an adjunct lecturer at the UB\, teaching practical classes on the Biolog y and Chemistry bachelor’\;s degree programmes. She currently support s the research and innovation dimension of the CHARM-EU alliance. \ n \n Lena WassermannAdvisor to the Vice P resident for Internationalisation at the University of Würzburg and suppo rts the university’s strategic engagement within the CHARM-EU Alliance \n Dr. Lena Wassermann is Advisor to the Vice President for Inte rnationalisation at the University of Würzburg and supports the universit y’s strategic engagement within the CHARM-EU Alliance. Her work focuses on European university cooperation\, internationalisation strategies\, and cross-institutional collaboration. Drawing on experience in academia\, po licy\, and international partnerships\, she is particularly interested in how universities can work together to address shared societal challenges a nd foster innovation in higher education. \n \n Gunilla Widén\nProfessor of Information Studies at Åbo Aka demi University (ÅAU) since 2008 \n Gunilla Widén is Professo r of Information Studies at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) since 2008. Her research focuses on information behaviour\, knowledge management\, and tr ust in information. She has led several large research projects\, e.g. on organizational key skills in information society\, the role of social medi a in libraries\, the importance of information literacy in various context s such as workplaces and in migration.Widén has been involved in European projects on youth information\, and in Nordic library research\, e.g. on cultural policy decision-making\, the case of Helsinki Central Libary Oodi . She has been involved in several collaborative networks both nationally and internationally\, appointed as external expert in different evaluation committees\, and published widely in her areas of expertise.She has long organizational experience at ÅAU\, recently she has been Vice-Rector for Education 2022-25\, and served as Acting Rector from April 2025 until she was appointed as Rector in January 2026. \n \n Balázs Aczél\nVice Dean for Science at the Faculty of Educa tion and Psychology of Eötvös Loránd University \n Balázs Aczél i s Vice Dean for Science at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of Eöt vös Loránd University\, Budapest\, where he is also Professor of Psychol ogy. He has been actively involved in the CHARM-EU alliance through the TO RCH project\, leading its Open Science activities\, and continues to contr ibute to the alliance's research and innovation initiatives within the CHA RM-EIGHT project. His research focuses on metascience\, with particular em phasis on research methodology\, open science\, and improving the robustne ss and credibility of scientific research. Through his research\, teaching \, and international collaborations\, he promotes the adoption of transpar ent and reproducible research practices and supports the development of re search capacity across the CHARM-EU partner institutions. \n \n Anders Adlercreutz\, Finland's Minister of Educati on \n Anders Adlercreutz (b. 1970) is Chair of the Swedish People’s Party of Finland since June 2024 and the current Minister of Education. H e graduated as an architect from Helsinki University of Technology in 1999 . Adlercreutz's political career began when he was elected to Kirkkonummi Municipal Council in 2013\, he served as Chair of the Council from 2017 to 2023. He has been a Member of Parliament since 2015 and served as Chair o f SFP’s Parliamentary Group from 2019 to 2023. During the years in Parli ament\, Adlercreutz was a member of several Committees\, eg. the Finance C ommittee\, the Defence Committee\, the Administration Committee\, and the Environmental Committee. Before becoming Minister of Education he served a s Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering for the first year o f the Orpo Government\, from June 2023 to June 2024. Minister Adlercreutz is married\, has 5 children\, is fluent in 7 languages and is an avid cell o player in his free time. \n \n Doris A lexander\, Associate Director of European Engagement\, Trinity College Dub lin \n Doris Alexander has worked in Research Management Administrati on since 1994\, taking up her current post as Associate Director of Europe an Engagement in 2019 and is responsible for the development of strategies of engagement\, working to get early insight on new EU policy/initiatives so as to maximise the opportunity space for Trinity. She is currently eng aged in the implementation of aspects of the ERA policy agenda. She has b een involved in several EC stakeholder groups including the co-creation of the European Universities initiative\, is the co-director of CHARM-EU all iance in Trinity College and a member of the Executive Board. She was Chai r of the R&\;I subgroup of the FOREU1 network (the network of the 17 Eu ropean Universities alliances funded through the first Erasmus+ pilot call ) and is currently chair of the R&\;I Topical Group (part of FOREU4ALL) for all alliances.Doris holds a BA in Mathematical Science and an MSc in Computer Science (Health Informatics) from Trinity College Dublin. \n \n Jake Rowan ByrneCo-Director of CHARM-EU a nd Assistant Professor in Contemporary Teaching and Learning at the School of Education\, Trinity College Dublin \n Dr. Jake Rowan Byrne is Co-D irector of CHARM-EU and Assistant Professor in Contemporary Teaching and L earning at the School of Education\, Trinity College Dublin. His research and practice focus on transdisciplinary education\, challenge-based learni ng\, innovative curriculum design\, and the development of learner agency through collaborative educational approaches. As a member of CHARM-EU's Kn owledge Creating Teams (KCTs)\, he has helped design and deliver transnati onal educational experiences\, including leading the development and initi al delivery of the Transdisciplinary Research Module within the CHARM-EU M aster's in Global Challenges for Sustainability. He also serves as a lead facilitator within the KCT delivering the CHARM Doctoral Summer School\, s upporting doctoral researchers as they work in transdisciplinary teams to address complex societal challenges. Jake's work is grounded in the belie f that education has long been a naturally transdisciplinary endeavour. De signing meaningful learning requires collaboration not only across academi c disciplines but also with policymakers\, school leaders\, teachers\, lea rners\, families\, communities\, industry and civil society. His experienc e contributing to the development of Ireland's national Leaving Certificat e Computer Science curriculum exemplifies this approach\, bringing togethe r diverse stakeholders to co-create educational innovation. Through his re search and leadership\, Jake explores how distributed leadership\, partici patory design and collaborative knowledge creation can strengthen educatio nal ecosystems and build the capacity needed to address the complex challe nges facing society. \n \n Meritxell Cha vesSecretary General of European University of CHARM-EU \n Meritxell C haves has more than thirty years of experience in the higher education se ctor\, in four universities of the Catalan university system\, in differen t functional areas of the University such as academic management\, strateg ic planning\, quality and accreditation\, and international relations in d ifferent organisational cultures. As Secretary General of European Univer sity of CHARM-EU since the start of the initiative in 2019 she has been le ading CHARM-EU team. \n \n Malin Fredrik ssonLeading Coordinator for Open Science at Åbo Akademi University \n Malin Fredriksson (MSocSc\, MA) works as the Leading Coordinator for Open Science at Åbo Akademi University. She has several years of experience i n the library and university sector\, with a strong focus on advancing ope n science and responsible research practices. Her work centers on supporti ng researchers through open science policies\, services\, training\, and t he development of inclusive approaches to openness in research. Her academ ic background is in information studies\, with a particular interest in op en access publishing and the implementation of open science practices. She also has a background in the humanities\, particularly the study of relig ions and cultures. \n \n Anikó Gál Bé ltekiCHARM-EU Manager at ELTE \n Anikó Gál Bélteki is acting as CHA RM-EU project manager at the Eötvös Loránd University\, Budapest. She h as already been involved in the alliance’s R&\;I dimension project TO RCH and now focuses her efforts on the smooth running of the CHARM-EIGHT p roject. Holding a degree in agricultural and environmental sciences and be ing a qualified translator\, she has gained work experience in an internat ional environment from multinational companies through projects of univers ities and conservation NGOs affiliated to global networks. Due to her dive rse administrative and coordinator roles she regularly participates in the meetings of various governing boards and offices of CHARM European Univer sity and provides assistance for some work packages\, which means being in daily work contact with the representatives of partner institutions. \n \n Kimmo GrönlundProfessor of Political Science and Director of the Social Science Research Institute at Åbo Akad emi University \n Kimmo Grönlund is Professor of Political Science an d Director of the Social Science Research Institute at Åbo Akademi Univer sity. Currently\, he is also member of the Board of Åbo Akademi Universit y. His research interests include democratic innovations\, public opinion\ , and electoral behavior. He has published widely\, especially on controll ed experiments with deliberative mini-publics in journals such as Politica l Behavior\, International Political Science Review and Scandinavian Polit ical Studies. He is the Director of the Finnish Research Infrastructure fo r Public Opinion FIRIPO and the research consortium STRONG – Implementin g democratic innovations\, funded by the Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland (2024–2030). Moreover\, he is a widely used expert commentator on politics in Finland\, and he has been the electoral commentator of the largest Finnish commercial TV channel MTV3 since 2006. \n \n Maria HämäläinenCHARM-EU MSc i n Global Challenges for Sustainability alumna \n Maria Hämäläinen i s a recent graduate of the CHARM-EU MSc in Global Challenges for Sustainab ility. Over two years\, her studies took her from Utrecht to Barcelona and Montpellier\, where she specialised in the Food track. Her work focused o n agrifood transitions\, Mediterranean food systems\, and the social dimen sions of sustainability\, culminating in a Capstone thesis on the social a cceptance of seaweed cultivation in the Thau Lagoon. Prior to joining CHA RM-EU\, Maria completed a BSc in Sustainable Urban Planning at Tampere Uni versity\, Finland\, where her research explored gender mainstreaming throu gh participatory urban planning processes. This experience sparked her lon g-standing interest in the governance and community dimensions of sustaina bility. Beyond academia\, she has been actively involved in climate justic e initiatives and is currently volunteering with a Ghana-based non-profit organisation working at the intersection of gender equity and climate acti on. She is also contributing to a research project on inclusive energy gov ernance through the YES-Europe Africa-Europe collaboration programme. \n \n Barbara Hegyi economist with a PhD in Regional Sciences \n Barbara Hegyi is an economist\, with a PhD in Reg ional Sciences. She coordinates the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Educat ion at ELTE Faculty of Informatics. Designer and implementer of several co urses that embrace sustainability and social responsibility. Coordinates t he REDINEST Impact Labs programme at an international level. \n \n Maria KeloDirector of Institutional Development at European University Association (EUA) \n Maria Kelo is Director of Institutional Development at European University Association (EUA). The u nit’s work focuses on recognition\, quality assurance\, rankings\, and l earning and teaching\, including the European Degree. She is a member of t he Swiss Accreditation Council\, vice-president of the European Quality As surance Register\, and co-represents EUA in the Bologna Process.Before joi ning EUA in 2022\, Maria was the Director of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education\, and previously worked in different European organisations in higher education. \n \n Vilppu Kuusipalo\, project coordinator at the Finnish Research Infrastructure for Public Opinion (FIRIPO) \n Vilppu Kuusipalo works a s a project coordinator at the Finnish Research Infrastructure for Public Opinion (FIRIPO)\, which operates the two deliberation laboratories at Åb o Akademi University. Vilppu is responsible for the day-to-day activities at FIRIPO\, such as making sure that the laboratories function efficiently \, coordinating research-related activities\, supporting visiting research ers\, and maintaining the infrastructure needed for high-quality public op inion and deliberation studies.In his role\, Vilppu works closely with res earchers and other project partners to facilitate the planning and impleme ntation of experiments\, surveys\, and events. He also contributes to the development and promotion of FIRIPO’s services\, helping researchers mak e use of innovative methods and facilities for studying public opinion\, c itizen participation\, and democratic processes.Vilppu’s background is i n humanities\, and he is interested in various aspects of societies\, cult ures and human interaction. \n \n Marvin MendyStrategic Partnerships Officer at the University of Montpellier \ n Marvin Mendy is Strategic Partnerships Officer at the University of Mon tpellier and leads Work Package 14 (Worldwide Academic Partnership Network ). Over the past eight years\, he has worked at the intersection of intern ational relations\, diplomacy and project management across the higher edu cation\, public and private sectors. His expertise includes the design and implementation of international cooperation strategies\, institutional pa rtnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives.Within CHARM-EU\, Marvin is r esponsible for developing long-term partnerships beyond Europe and advanci ng the Alliance's global engagement strategy\, particularly with Africa an d other strategic regions. His work focuses on building sustainable intern ational cooperation frameworks that connect higher education\, research an d societal stakeholders. \n \n Christoph Mohamad-KlotzbachPolitical Scientist at the Institute of Political Scienc e and Sociology at the JMU Würzburg\n \n Dr. Christoph Mohamad-Klotzb ach is a Political Scientist at the Institute of Political Science and Soc iology at the JMU Würzburg. His research focuses on democracy and democra tization\, scientific concepts\, political culture\, statehood\, political parties\, environmental health and sustainability. He is currently part o f the EU-funded interdisciplinary research project MARKOPOLO\, which is at tached to the Professorship of Social Science Sustainability Studies\, and studies knowledge transfer in environmental health. \n \n Nelli PiehlCHARM-EU alumna and Teaching &\; Project Assistant at Åbo Akademi \n Nelli Piehl is a CHARM-EU alumna and Tea ching and Project Assistant at Åbo Akademi\, where she also supports CHAR M-EU's Diversity\, Equity and Inclusion work. She is an early-career socio -ecological researcher with a particular interest in participatory approac hes and equity and inclusion across international contexts.  \n \n Phoebe SacaresCHARM-EU MSc in Global Challenge s for Sustainability alumna \n Phoebe Sacares is a graduate of the CHA RM-EU MSc in Global Challenges for Sustainability\,  having studied in Ba rcelona and Montpellier over two years of transdisciplinary learning and r esearch. Specialising in the Water track\, her work focused on a range of water-related sustainability challenges\, including supporting livelihoods amid aquatic ecosystem disruption in East Africa\, developing water-effic ient infrastructure in Dublin\, and addressing drought resilience in Catal onia. These experiences sparked a strong interest in tackling water-relate d sustainability issues.Prior to joining CHARM-EU\, she completed a BSc in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of York (UK). With a keen inte rest in applying science\, data analysis\, and mapping to environmental ch allenges\, she is pursuing a career at the intersection of sustainability and evidence-based decision-making. She is currently volunteering with the London Wildlife Trust\, contributing to practical conservation projects a nd gaining first-hand insight into the importance of community engagement in translating global climate goals into local action. \n \n Nina ShielResponsible Research &\; Innovation Spec ialist for CHARM-EU at Trinity College Dublin \n Dr Nina Shiel (she/th ey) is Responsible Research &\; Innovation Specialist for CHARM-EU\, ba sed at Trinity College Dublin. With a PhD in Comparative Literature focusi ng on immersive virtual spaces\, and over a decade of experience in resear ch development and European R&\;I strategy across leading Irish and UK universities\, her professional interests include inter/transdisciplinary research\, research culture\, and intersectional equality\, diversity and inclusion. Her work as the leader of two work packages in the Horizon 2020 Science with and for Society (SwafS)-funded TORCH project\, developing CH ARM-EU's shared research and innovation agenda\, was recognised with the T rinity Research Excellence Award in 2023. She is committed to fostering in clusive\, challenge-driven research and international collaboration.   \n \n Martin Meggele SjøenProfessor of E ducational Studies at the Institute of Education at the University of Berg en \n Dr. Martin Meggele Sjøen is a Professor of Educational Studies at the Institute of Education at the University of Bergen. He holds a Ph.D . in Security Studies from the University of Stavanger. Dr. Sjøen’s res earch explores democracy\, education\, political violence and peacebuildin g\, with a specific focus on the intersection of education and security. \n \n Karl StoeckelExecutive Director of the CIVIS European University Alliance \n Karl Stoeckel is Executive D irector of the CIVIS European University Alliance\, coordinated by Aix-Mar seille University\, where he leads the alliance’s coordination team and supports its governance\, strategic development and long-term sustainabili ty. CIVIS brings together 17 universities across Europe and Africa\, repre senting more than 500\,000 students and 80\,000 academic and professional staff. With over 15 years of experience in European research\, innovation and higher education policy\, Karl has worked extensively on European str ategy\, institutional relations\, science diplomacy\, international partne rships and the development and management of EU-funded projects. He previo usly represented Aix-Marseille University in Brussels\, working with the E uropean Commission\, the European Parliament\, Member States’ Permanent Representations and European research and innovation stakeholders. His ex perience also includes senior responsibilities at the French National Rese arch Institute for Development (IRD)\, where he contributed to European st rategy and Horizon Europe programming\, and teaching European research and innovation policy at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. He is particularly inter ested in building sustainable\, place-based partnerships and in strengthen ing cooperation between universities\, research organisations and European and international stakeholders.  \n \n Roger StrandProfessor at the University of Bergen\, Norway \n Roger S trand is Professor at the University of Bergen\, Norway. His research focu ses on the governance of science\, technology\, and innovation\, with part icular attention to complexity\, uncertainty\, and sustainability. He work s at the intersection of philosophy\, science and technology studies\, and policy-oriented research\, contributing to the development of frameworks for responsible research and innovation (RRI). A record of his scholarly p ublications is found at https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6159-1586.Strand has b een involved in a range of European and international projects addressing the role of expertise\, interdisciplinary collaboration\, and societal eng agement in research and innovation. His work includes contributions to env ironmental governance\, sustainability transitions\, and science-policy in terfaces. He is the Co-Director of the non-profit NGO called the European Centre for Governance in Complexity (www.ecgc.eu). \n \n Ferenc TakóMember of the CHARM-EU Executive Board\, CHAR M-EU Director and Head of the Rector’s Cabinet CHARM-EU Office\, Eötvö s Loránd University (ELTE) \n Ferenc Takó studied Philosophy and Ja panese Studies at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)\, Budapest\, Hungary\ , where he currently lectures at the Department of Japanese Studies. He us ed to be head of the Rector’s Cabinet International Strategy Office at E LTE between 2018 and 2021. Since 2021\, he is head of the Rector’s Cabin et CHARM-EU Office and ELTE Executive Director of CHARM-EU. \n \n Ádám TóthResearcher at the Copernicus Instit ute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. \n Ádám Tóth is a researcher in (ground)water\, sustainability and education innovation at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht Univers ity. Ádám is the co-lead of the educational practice work package of the CHARM-EIGHT project. He is involved in updating the existing master's pro gramme in Global Challenges for Sustainability\, exploring educational opp ortunities for a broader audience to develop knowledge\, including a strat egy for micro-credentials\, badges\, and continuing education\, as well as a team-based\, transdisciplinary joint CHARM-EU Doctoral programme. \n \n Dr. Annisa TriyantiAssistant Professor\ , Disaster and Climate Risk Governance for Sustainability\, at Utrecht Uni versity \n Dr. Annisa Triyanti is an Assistant Professor of Disaster a nd Climate Risk Governance for Sustainability at Utrecht University. Born in Indonesia\, she earned her PhD from the University of Amsterdam. Her re search connects grassroots practices with global policy\, focusing on comm unity self-governance and mangrove ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction in Asia. In her teaching\, she emphasizes public engagement and promotes the role of European University Alliances in addressing societal challenge s. Serving as Academic Director of CHARM-EU for Utrecht University\, she s upports collaborative\, cross-boundary education. For three consecutive ye ars\, she has also coordinated the Capstone module for the CHARM-EU Master ’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability\, a transdisciplinary program where students conduct research alongside external stakeholders to tackle real-world issues. Beyond her academic roles\, Dr. Triyanti has engaged i n intergovernmental policy dialogues on climate change and sustainable dev elopment since 2014. As part of this work\, she represented young scientis ts in the Global Science and Technology Advisory Group for the UN Office f or Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) from 2017 to 2019. \n \n Oriol UviedoLaboratory and project technician\, specia lized in microplastics and citizen science \n Ever since my childhood\ , I have known that I wanted to pursue a career related to the ocean\, and that has indeed been the case. In 2020\, I graduated with a degree in Mar ine Sciences from the University of Barcelona (UB)\, and I currently serve as a laboratory and project technician\, specialized in microplastics and citizen science. One of the principal initiatives I lead is the 'Surfing For Science' project\, which has a well-defined objective: to quantify and characterize microplastics in the coastal areas of the western Mediterran ean through citizen science. In this manner\, we generate scientific knowl edge while simultaneously raising awareness about the critical issue of pl astic pollution in our seas and oceans.Utilizing the methodology developed in 'Surfing For Science'\, we initiated the TRAP project. While sharing t he same core objectives\, this initiative expands the scope of research to rivers\, combined sewer overflows (CSOs)\, and the open sea in order to a nalyse the transport and exchange of particles across these diverse system s. Furthermore\, I have participated in the OSES project (Ocean Sustainabi lity Through Education and Sport)\, where we developed best-practice manua ls and fieldwork kits designed to enable marine recreational users\, as sa ilors\, divers or surfers\, to collect reliable scientific data. Through t hese efforts\, our ultimate goal is to foster public awareness regarding t he anthropogenic threats and impacts currently facing our marine ecosystem s. \n \n Mireia Via\nResearch Support Te chnician at CHARM-EU \n Mireia Via obtained her PhD in Theoretical Che mistry and Computational Modelling from the University of the Basque Count ry (UPV/EHU). After that\, she left academia aside but not the world of re search entirely. Since then\, she has dedicated her career to supporting r esearch\, working as a support technician in a chemistry research group at the University of Barcelona (UB)\, and at the UB's International Research Projects Office. She has also been an adjunct lecturer at the UB\, teachi ng practical classes on the Biology and Chemistry bachelor's degree progra mmes. She currently supports the research and innovation dimension of the CHARM-EU alliance. \n \n Lena Wassermann Advisor to the Vice President for Internationalisation at the University o f Würzburg and supports the university’s strategic engagement within th e CHARM-EU Alliance \n Dr. Lena Wassermann is Advisor to the Vice Pres ident for Internationalisation at the University of Würzburg and supports the university’s strategic engagement within the CHARM-EU Alliance. Her work focuses on European university cooperation\, internationalisation st rategies\, and cross-institutional collaboration. Drawing on experience in academia\, policy\, and international partnerships\, she is particularly interested in how universities can work together to address shared societa l challenges and foster innovation in higher education. \n \n Gunilla Widén\nProfessor of Information Studies at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) since 2008 \n Gunilla Widén is Profess or of Information Studies at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) since 2008. He r research focuses on information behaviour\, knowledge management\, and t rust in information. She has led several large research projects\, e.g. on organizational key skills in information society\, the role of social med ia in libraries\, the importance of information literacy in various contex ts such as workplaces and in migration.Widén has been involved in Europea n projects on youth information\, and in Nordic library research\, e.g. on cultural policy decision-making\, the case of Helsinki Central Libary Ood i. She has been involved in several collaborative networks both nationally and internationally\, appointed as external expert in different evaluatio n committees\, and published widely in her areas of expertise.She has long organizational experience at ÅAU\, recently she has been Vice-Rector for Education 2022-25\, and served as Acting Rector from April 2025 until she was appointed as Rector in January 2026. \n \n information about Turku \n \n \n Venue Information \n \n \n \n CHARM-EU ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026 at Åbo Akad emi UniversityÅbo (Turku in Finnish) 14 October 2026VENUE FOR THE MEETING Astra\, Porthansgatan 3\, 20500 ÅboRoom: Bonfire \n \n \n \n General Information about Turku \n \n \n \n T urku (in Finnish)/Åbo (in Swedish) is vibrant city of 200\,000 inhabitant s and the sixth largest city in Finland after Helsinki\, Espoo\, Tampere\, Vantaa and Oulu. Finland having two main official languages\, Turku/Åbo is officially bilingual and 5\,2 percent of its population identify Swedis h as their mother-tongue.Åbo Akademi University is the only Swedish-langu age multidisciplinary academic university in Finland. The campus is locate d in the old city centre\, at a walking distance from the hotels listed in this document.When speaking about the city in English\, the Finnish name Turku is usually used\, as the majority of the inhabitants are Finnish-spe aking. You will however see most names of streets in both languages\, so r emember this when you are wondering about two very different street names/ addresses indicating the same location!Turku is the oldest city in Finland and the former capital of the country and will celebrate its 800th annive rsary in 2029. Located on the seaside of Southwest Finland\, Turku is a re gional hub for education\, culture and business and the third biggest urba n area in Finland. Students make up a fifth of the city’s population. \n \n \n \n Travel to Turku \n \n \n \n BY AIR ALL THE WAY TO TURKUTurku Airport is eight kilometres/30-minut es by local bus (line 1)/15 minutes by taxi from the city centre. If you c an find a reasonable flight to Turku Airport (TKU)\, it is the most conven ient option. (If your arrival time to Turku Airport is after the last bus and there is no taxi to be found\, you can order one by using the service phone which is located near the exit on the arrivals level of the terminal ).The air companies operating in Turku are:o Finnair (through Helsinki-Van taa Airport and Stockholm Arlanda)o SAS (through Copenhagen Kastrup and St ockholm Arlanda)o Air Baltic (through Riga)o WizzAir (through Vilnius\, Gd ańsk and Bucharest) BY AIR THROUGH HELSINKI OR STOCKHOLMMany airlines op erate flights to Helsinki Airport\, e.g. Finnair. From Helsinki-Vantaa Air port (HEL) you can take a bus or train to Turku. Turku–Helsinki is 166 k m\; the bus or train will take you about 2\,5 hrs.–\; Bus connection from Helsinki–Vantaa Airport (Matkahuolto)Your end station would be “T urku Tuomiokirkko” or “Turku linja-autoasema = Turku bus station”.&# 8211\; Train connection from Helsinki–Vantaa Airport (VR)\, with a trans fer in Pasila.Your end train station when arriving from Helsinki is “Kup ittaa (Turku)” or the main station “Turku (City Centre\, Logomo)”.  BY FERRY THROUGH STOCKHOLMFrom Stockholm there is a night ferry to Turku. You sleep on the ferry and arrive in the Port of Turku the next morning. T he ferries are operated by Viking Line and Silja Line. \n \n \n \n Moving Around in Turku \n \n \n \n Centr al Turku is quite small and easiest to get around on foot. Turku is easy t o navigate also on bike or electric scooter. Föli offers city bikes and e .g. Voi\, Dott and Ryde operate electric scooters. There is an extensive local bus network (going all the way to our nearest National Park). Bus t ickets cost ca. 3-4€ and can be purchased beforehand in an app or by car d (contactless payment) on the bus. For timetables and bus stops\, please see here. The bus stop nearest the ÅAU campus\, by the Cathedral is calle d “Tuomiokirkkotori” and the bus stops closest to the city centre are all called “Kauppatori” (there are several around the Market square). Buses do not automatically stop at every stop. Passengers wanting to get o n board must wave their hand. \n \n \n \n Q&\;A on Travelling \n \n \n \n Do you recommend the train or the bus from HEL?This will depend on where your hotel is located. If in th e city centre\, the bus is better. But if staying next to the train statio n (Sokos Hotel Kupittaa)\, the train may be more convenient.There are buse s and taxis outside the station\, so you will easily get into town\, but t aking the bus at the airport will take you closer to the city centre direc tly.The bus stop for the bus taking you from Helsinki to Turku that is clo sest to your hotel will probably be at the Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko)\, but you can also go until the bus station\, which is not far either.How much t ime is needed between my arrival at the airport and taking the train or bu s?If the flight is on time and you are travelling light\, with hand-luggag e only\, 30-40 minutes will be enough for you to catch both options. Check the information and follow the signs.The bus/train schedule says there is a transfer/connection\, will I manage?Yes!For the train\, there will be a transfer from the commuter train to the intercity train in Pasila\, which is 25 minutes from the airport. The platforms are side by side\, so it ta kes only a few minutes to change trains.For the bus\, if there is a transf er (rare occurrence)\, the first bus will take you to the second bus and n ot leave before the second bus is there. The transfer is 20-25 minutes aft er the departure from the airport.Should I buy my ticket in advance for th e day when I arrive in Finland?It is a good idea to buy it in advance\; th e tickets are usually cheaper when bought in advance. On the other hand\, if your flight is delayed\, you will lose the ticket. You could also wait until you land and buy the ticket online\, on your mobile phone (see the l inks provided above)\, when exiting the aircraft or while waiting for the train. And if you notice the bus/train is full when buying the ticket\, ma ybe you can take another option instead.For the bus\, you can also buy the ticket from the bus driver. For the train\, there is a ticket machine on the platform.How about the day when I leave Finland\, should I buy my bus/ train ticket already now?You can buy it already before arrival. \n \n \n \n Hotels in Turku \n \n \n \n Par ticipants are responsible for finding and booking their own accommodation. For some hotels there is a special rate\, which is mentioned for every ho tel separately.Closest to ÅAU (ca 10 min walk)Scandic Julia https://www.s candichotels.fi/hotellit/suomi/turku/scandic-julia (500 m to the campus)We are happy to offer your guests a discount on room reservations at Scandic Julia\, Scandic Hamburger Börs\, Scandic Plaza Turku and Scandic Go\, Ee rikinkatu 30. Reservations can be easily made through the following link: BOOK WITH SCANDIC\, booking code CGRO. Through the link\, guests can direc tly book rooms at a discounted rate.Guests can choose their preferred room type and receive an additional discount when paying for the reservation u pon booking. The cancellation policy for individual bookings depends on th e booking type chosen by the guest. To confirm the reservation\, guests mu st provide valid credit card information. Rooms are subject to availabilit y and should be booked 10 days before arrival at the latest. Scandic Frie nds members should also check for available loyalty offers.Centro Hotel ht tps://centrohotel.com/ (600 m to the campus)Use booking code: CHARM-EU for reduced rate on the rooms. Single room 112EUR/night\, Double room 132EUR/ night – including breakfast. Book directly with the Centro Hotel. Limite d availability.Scandic Hamburger Börs https://www.scandichotels.com/en/ho tels/scandic-hamburger-bors (700 m to the campus)Use the booking code CGRO for discounted rates: https://www.scandichotels.com/en?bookingcode=CGROSo kos Hotel Wiklund https://www.sokoshotels.fi/hotellit/turku/original-sokos -hotel-wiklund (700 m to the campus)Bob W Turku City Centre https://bobw.c o/locations/turkuOmena Hotelli Kauppiaskatu https://www.omenahotels.com/fi /hotellit/turku-kauppiaskatu/Ineon Hotel https://ineon.fi/enCity Center (1 0+ min walk)Scandic Hotel Plaza https://www.scandichotels.fi/hotellit/suom i/turku/scandic-plaza-turkuUse the booking code CGRO for discounted rates: https://www.scandichotels.com/en?bookingcode=CGROHelmi Hotelli https://ww w.hotellihelmi.fi/en-gb/homeUse booking code: CHARM-EU for reduced rate on the rooms. Single room 89EUR/night\, Double room 119EUR/night – includi ng breakfast. Book directly with the Helmi Hotelli. Limited availability.S okos Hotel Turun Seurahuone https://www.sokoshotels.fi/hotellit/turku/solo -sokos-hotel-turun-seurahuoneScandic Go\, Eerikinkatu 30 https://www.scand ichotels.com/fi/hotellit/scandic-go-eerikinkatu-30Use the booking code CGR O for discounted rates: https://www.scandichotels.com/en?bookingcode=CGROO mena Hotelli Humalistonkatu https://www.omenahotels.com/fi/hotellit/turku- humalistonkatu/Forenum Aparthotels https://www.forenom.com/aparthotels/tur ku/Sokos Hotel Kupittaa https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/hotels/turku/origina l-sokos-hotel-kupittaa (next to the Kupittaa train station\, not in the ce ntre\, 1.2 kms to campus)Use booking code: BCHARMEU for reduced rate on th e rooms. Single room 105EUR/night\, Double room 125EUR/night – including breakfast and sauna. Book directly with Sokos Hotel Kupittaa. Limited ava ilability\, discounted rates until September 11. \n \n \n \n Other Practical Information \n \n \n \n The ed uroam WiFi is available throughout the whole campus\; you can access it us ing your home university login.Finland uses the euro. Cards are widely use d and notes larger than 50 € may not be accepted everywhere. Contactless payment with cards is common. Some places are cash-free.In October\, it m ight still be relatively warm during the daytime but the weather can be un predictable (prepare for rain) and evenings are colder. Daytime temperatur es are 10 degrees and nighttime temperatures 5 degrees on average in south ern Finland and the sun rises at 8 am and sets after 6 pm in October.Pleas e note that some restaurants and most museums are closed on Mondays. Often kitchens close in restaurants around 9 or 10 pm. Some restaurants may hav e longer service hours during the weekends. \n \n \n \n To Do in Turku \n \n \n \n Campus walk (ÅAU Main b uilding\, Sibelius Museum\, Juridicum\, Arken\, Aurum\, Astra)The history of ÅAU’s buildings: Åbo Akademi University FoundationWalk by the river (3\,5 kms between the ÅAU campus and Turku Castle)Turku Cathedral (close d for renovations) and AboaVetus (medieval Turku)Art museumTurku Market Ha ll (Kauppahalli / Saluhallen)Kakola area: shop\, brewery\, spa and restaur ants in former prison and prison areaHansa shopping centre for Marimekko\, Iittala and Finnish souvenirsKui at Kristiinankatu for more local souveni rsSauna and swimmingSaaronniemiJärveläIspoisFor more information\, pleas e see Visit Turku \n \n \n \n Questions? \n \n \n \n Pia le Grand\, CHARM-EU Manager\, pia.legrand@abo.fi\, +358 50 321 1400Harriet Klåvus\, CHARM-EU Manager\, harriet.klavus@abo.f i\, +358 46 921 6130Matias Dahlbäck\, WP17\, matias.dahlback@abo.fi\, +35 8 50 475 1515Sara Joas\, WP6\, sara.joas@abo.fi\, +358 50 465 3965 \n \n CHARM-EU ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026 at Åbo Akademi UniversityÅbo (Turku in Finnish) 14 October 2026VENUE FOR THE MEETINGAstra\, Porthansgat an 3\, 20500 ÅboRoom: BonfireTurku (in Finnish)/Åbo (in Swedish) is vibr ant city of 200\,000 inhabitants and the sixth largest city in Finland aft er Helsinki\, Espoo\, Tampere\, Vantaa and Oulu. Finland having two main o fficial languages\, Turku/Åbo is officially bilingual and 5\,2 percent of its population identify Swedish as their mother-tongue.Åbo Akademi Unive rsity is the only Swedish-language multidisciplinary academic university i n Finland. The campus is located in the old city centre\, at a walking dis tance from the hotels listed in this document.When speaking about the city in English\, the Finnish name Turku is usually used\, as the majority of the inhabitants are Finnish-speaking. You will however see most names of s treets in both languages\, so remember this when you are wondering about t wo very different street names/addresses indicating the same location!Turk u is the oldest city in Finland and the former capital of the country and will celebrate its 800th anniversary in 2029. Located on the seaside of So uthwest Finland\, Turku is a regional hub for education\, culture and busi ness and the third biggest urban area in Finland. Students make up a fifth of the city’s population.BY AIR ALL THE WAY TO TURKUTurku Airport is ei ght kilometres/30-minutes by local bus (line 1)/15 minutes by taxi from th e city centre. If you can find a reasonable flight to Turku Airport (TKU)\ , it is the most convenient option. (If your arrival time to Turku Airport is after the last bus and there is no taxi to be found\, you can order on e by using the service phone which is located near the exit on the arrival s level of the terminal).The air companies operating in Turku are:o Finnai r (through Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and Stockholm Arlanda)o SAS (through Co penhagen Kastrup and Stockholm Arlanda)o Air Baltic (through Riga)o WizzAi r (through Vilnius\, Gdańsk and Bucharest) BY AIR THROUGH HELSINKI OR ST OCKHOLMMany airlines operate flights to Helsinki Airport\, e.g. Finnair. F rom Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) you can take a bus or train to Turku. Tu rku–Helsinki is 166 km\; the bus or train will take you about 2\,5 hrs.- Bus connection from Helsinki–Vantaa Airport (Matkahuolto)Your end stati on would be “Turku Tuomiokirkko” or “Turku linja-autoasema = Turku b us station”.- Train connection from Helsinki–Vantaa Airport (VR)\, wit h a transfer in Pasila.Your end train station when arriving from Helsinki is “Kupittaa (Turku)” or the main station “Turku (City Centre\, Logo mo)”. BY FERRY THROUGH STOCKHOLMFrom Stockholm there is a night ferry t o Turku. You sleep on the ferry and arrive in the Port of Turku the next m orning. The ferries are operated by Viking Line and Silja Line.Central Tur ku is quite small and easiest to get around on foot. Turku is easy to navi gate also on bike or electric scooter. Föli offers city bikes and e.g. Vo i\, Dott and Ryde operate electric scooters. There is an extensive local bus network (going all the way to our nearest National Park). Bus tickets cost ca. 3-4€ and can be purchased beforehand in an app or by card (con tactless payment) on the bus. For timetables and bus stops\, please see he re. The bus stop nearest the ÅAU campus\, by the Cathedral is called “T uomiokirkkotori” and the bus stops closest to the city centre are all ca lled “Kauppatori” (there are several around the Market square). Buses do not automatically stop at every stop. Passengers wanting to get on boar d must wave their hand.Do you recommend the train or the bus from HEL?This will depend on where your hotel is located. If in the city centre\, the b us is better. But if staying next to the train station (Sokos Hotel Kupitt aa)\, the train may be more convenient.There are buses and taxis outside t he station\, so you will easily get into town\, but taking the bus at the airport will take you closer to the city centre directly.The bus stop for the bus taking you from Helsinki to Turku that is closest to your hotel wi ll probably be at the Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko)\, but you can also go until the bus station\, which is not far either.How much time is needed between my arrival at the airport and taking the train or bus?If the flight is on time and you are travelling light\, with hand-luggage only\, 30-40 minute s will be enough for you to catch both options. Check the information and follow the signs.The bus/train schedule says there is a transfer/connectio n\, will I manage?Yes!For the train\, there will be a transfer from the co mmuter train to the intercity train in Pasila\, which is 25 minutes from t he airport. The platforms are side by side\, so it takes only a few minute s to change trains.For the bus\, if there is a transfer (rare occurrence)\ , the first bus will take you to the second bus and not leave before the s econd bus is there. The transfer is 20-25 minutes after the departure from the airport.Should I buy my ticket in advance for the day when I arrive i n Finland?It is a good idea to buy it in advance\; the tickets are usually cheaper when bought in advance. On the other hand\, if your flight is del ayed\, you will lose the ticket. You could also wait until you land and bu y the ticket online\, on your mobile phone (see the links provided above)\ , when exiting the aircraft or while waiting for the train. And if you not ice the bus/train is full when buying the ticket\, maybe you can take anot her option instead.For the bus\, you can also buy the ticket from the bus driver. For the train\, there is a ticket machine on the platform.How abou t the day when I leave Finland\, should I buy my bus/train ticket already now?You can buy it already before arrival.Participants are responsible for finding and booking their own accommodation. For some hotels there is a s pecial rate\, which is mentioned for every hotel separately.Closest to ÅA U (ca 10 min walk)Scandic Julia https://www.scandichotels.fi/hotellit/suom i/turku/scandic-julia (500 m to the campus)We are happy to offer your gues ts a discount on room reservations at Scandic Julia\, Scandic Hamburger B örs\, Scandic Plaza Turku and Scandic Go\, Eerikinkatu 30. Reservations c an be easily made through the following link: BOOK WITH SCANDIC\, booking code CGRO. Through the link\, guests can directly book rooms at a discount ed rate.Guests can choose their preferred room type and receive an additio nal discount when paying for the reservation upon booking. The cancellatio n policy for individual bookings depends on the booking type chosen by the guest. To confirm the reservation\, guests must provide valid credit card information. Rooms are subject to availability and should be booked 10 da ys before arrival at the latest. Scandic Friends members should also chec k for available loyalty offers.Centro Hotel https://centrohotel.com/ (600 m to the campus)Use booking code: CHARM-EU for reduced rate on the rooms. Single room 112EUR/night\, Double room 132EUR/night – including breakfas t. Book directly with the Centro Hotel. Limited availability.Scandic Hambu rger Börs https://www.scandichotels.com/en/hotels/scandic-hamburger-bors (700 m to the campus)Use the booking code CGRO for discounted rates: https ://www.scandichotels.com/en?bookingcode=CGROSokos Hotel Wiklund https://ww w.sokoshotels.fi/hotellit/turku/original-sokos-hotel-wiklund (700 m to the campus)Bob W Turku City Centre https://bobw.co/locations/turkuOmena Hotel li Kauppiaskatu https://www.omenahotels.com/fi/hotellit/turku-kauppiaskatu /Ineon Hotel https://ineon.fi/enCity Center (10+ min walk)Scandic Hotel Pl aza https://www.scandichotels.fi/hotellit/suomi/turku/scandic-plaza-turkuU se the booking code CGRO for discounted rates: https://www.scandichotels.c om/en?bookingcode=CGROHelmi Hotelli https://www.hotellihelmi.fi/en-gb/home Use booking code: CHARM-EU for reduced rate on the rooms. Single room 89EU R/night\, Double room 119EUR/night – including breakfast. Book directly with the Helmi Hotelli. Limited availability.Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone https://www.sokoshotels.fi/hotellit/turku/solo-sokos-hotel-turun-seurahuon eScandic Go\, Eerikinkatu 30 https://www.scandichotels.com/fi/hotellit/sca ndic-go-eerikinkatu-30Use the booking code CGRO for discounted rates: http s://www.scandichotels.com/en?bookingcode=CGROOmena Hotelli Humalistonkatu https://www.omenahotels.com/fi/hotellit/turku-humalistonkatu/Forenum Apart hotels https://www.forenom.com/aparthotels/turku/Sokos Hotel Kupittaa http s://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/hotels/turku/original-sokos-hotel-kupittaa (next to the Kupittaa train station\, not in the centre\, 1.2 kms to campus)Use booking code: BCHARMEU for reduced rate on the rooms. Single room 105EUR/ night\, Double room 125EUR/night – including breakfast and sauna. Book d irectly with Sokos Hotel Kupittaa. Limited availability\, discounted rates until September 11.The eduroam WiFi is available throughout the whole cam pus\; you can access it using your home university login.Finland uses the euro. Cards are widely used and notes larger than 50 € may not be accept ed everywhere. Contactless payment with cards is common. Some places are c ash-free.In October\, it might still be relatively warm during the daytime but the weather can be unpredictable (prepare for rain) and evenings are colder. Daytime temperatures are 10 degrees and nighttime temperatures 5 d egrees on average in southern Finland and the sun rises at 8 am and sets a fter 6 pm in October.Please note that some restaurants and most museums ar e closed on Mondays. Often kitchens close in restaurants around 9 or 10 pm . Some restaurants may have longer service hours during the weekends.Campu s walk (ÅAU Main building\, Sibelius Museum\, Juridicum\, Arken\, Aurum\, Astra)The history of ÅAU’s buildings: Åbo Akademi University Foundati onWalk by the river (3\,5 kms between the ÅAU campus and Turku Castle)Tur ku Cathedral (closed for renovations) and AboaVetus (medieval Turku)Art mu seumTurku Market Hall (Kauppahalli / Saluhallen)Kakola area: shop\, brewer y\, spa and restaurants in former prison and prison areaHansa shopping cen tre for Marimekko\, Iittala and Finnish souvenirsKui at Kristiinankatu for more local souvenirsSauna and swimmingSaaronniemiJärveläIspoisFor more information\, please see Visit TurkuPia le Grand\, CHARM-EU Manager\, pia. legrand@abo.fi\, +358 50 321 1400Harriet Klåvus\, CHARM-EU Manager\, harr iet.klavus@abo.fi\, +358 46 921 6130Matias Dahlbäck\, WP17\, matias.dahlb ack@abo.fi\, +358 50 475 1515Sara Joas\, WP6\, sara.joas@abo.fi\, +358 50 465 3965 CATEGORIES:CHARM-EU event,Governance,Research,Teaching LOCATION:Astra\, Åbo Akademi University\, Porthaninkatu 3\, Turku\, 20500\ , Finland X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Porthaninkatu 3\, Turku\, 2 0500\, Finland;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Astra\, Åbo Akademi University: geo:0,0 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR