“A powerful voice in Europe”
Michael Schaepman, what motivates your involvement in and commitment to LERU?
Michael Schaepman: UZH has been part of LERU since 2006. The league currently consists of 24 leading European universities, including two others in Switzerland: the University of Geneva and since 2024 also ETH Zurich. The LERU member universities share knowledge with each other and learn from one another. They share common values, pursue similar objectives and together wield a powerful voice in European research and education policy. Geographically, Switzerland is a part of Europe, but we’re only partially integrated into the EU. That’s why it’s crucial for UZH to be connected to the European research landscape, and with this also to the EU. My role as member of the board is to advance research and teaching activities within the LERU network as well as Europe as a whole.
Why is LERU important for UZH?
Schaepman: UZH has always been an integral part of the European research and education landscape. LERU helps us to continue to position UZH effectively and prominently as a Swiss university in the European Research Area. We’re also learning firsthand about the issues affecting the European Commission and how the strategy and commission are evolving. There’s a lot going on here, too.
LERU helps us to continue to position UZH effectively and prominently as a Swiss university in the European Research Area.
What role does LERU play in European education and research policy?
Schaepman: LERU is virtually the only association in Europe that can directly influence the European Commission and Parliament thanks to its impact and science-policy interface. LERU has a powerful voice, as it can promote dialogue between science, policymakers and society in Europe. By participating in LERU, we gain valuable insights into education and research policy developments in different European countries and keep in touch with contacts across Europe. We also host various events in Switzerland on current challenges in tertiary education and organize regular meetings attended by partner institutions from Switzerland and the EU.
What goals is UZH pursuing at the European level?
Schaepman: Together with our 23 partner universities, we want to strengthen research and higher education in Europe. One specific objective in this context is the full and equal participation of Switzerland in EU programs. LERU helps us further this objective. Our university maintains cooperations and exchanges at all levels with our partner universities, with a focus on peer exchanges. In times of accelerating change and limited funding, this type of exchange has been neglected for far too long.
Is there a core cause that unites LERU member universities?
Schaepman: Vigorous, independent basic research is our most important common cause. Value-free basic research is at the source of any value chain in research and development and is essential to any kind of societal innovation. Its importance is often underrated because it’s hardly possible to foresee what specific scientific knowledge will lead to successful patents or startup companies. That makes it all the more vital to point out the fundamental importance of basic research and to advocate for it to policymakers.
Important groundwork is being laid right now in European research policy: the EU Commission was reshuffled at the end of 2024, the EU funding framework for the 2028–2034 period is currently being negotiated, and the successor program to Horizon Europe is being set up. In the midst of this, it is also being decided how grants will be allocated in the future. LERU is firmly committed to ensuring that research in Europe won’t be restricted to applied research geared towards practical application. This commitment is shared by all LERU research universities, and together we are actively co-shaping the European research and education landscape.
What other matters is LERU concerned with?
Schaepman: The spectrum of higher education policy issues that LERU member universities exchange views on in various working groups is very broad. It includes autonomy, leadership, open access, digital education, scientific integrity, innovation and sustainability, to name just a few.
Is global cooperation in research also an issue for LERU?
Schaepman: Global cooperation in research is especially important for LERU at the moment because it is associated with growing challenges. Open access to knowledge is essential to international science, and excellent science takes into account a wide range of data sources and research approaches. For this to succeed, however, certain conditions have to be met, such as general data availability. Unfortunately, mounting geopolitical tensions are making international scientific cooperation more and more complicated. Governments are exercising greater influence on research activities, setting national priorities and restricting cooperation, or tying it to conditions. This makes it more challenging for universities to preserve their independence and at the same time stay competitive. It’s becoming more difficult for universities to navigate the international stage autonomously while taking into account ethical, legal and political aspects. LERU member universities support each other in this challenging situation, particularly in the areas of knowledge security and safeguarding national interests. Dual use developments in particular require special sensitivity, as the line between military and civilian applications is getting increasingly porous.
At the European level, UZH is involved not just in LERU, but also in the Una Europa alliance of universities since 2022. How do the two European university networks complement each other?
Schaepman: We set different priorities in each of the networks. Whereas the focus of LERU is on shaping higher education policy and impacting the EU Commission, Una Europa devotes itself primarily to developing and practically implementing pioneering interdisciplinary and international research and teaching formats. The Una Europa Joint Bachelor of Arts in European Studies and Joint Doctoral Program in Cultural Heritage are two examples here.
To conclude, let’s take a quick look at the third large international university network in which UZH takes part. You have represented UZH on the eight-member executive committee of the Universitas 21 network of universities since May 2024. How does that network benefit UZH?
Schaepman: The U21 network is a great way to cooperate with leading research universities in Asia, Australia, Africa, and North and South America. It is a global organization and thus ideally complements the European networks LERU and Una Europa.