Chronic fatigue, research on Spitzbergen, or modern tools in drug design are just some of the topics that will be presented to a broad audience by a consortium of European universities during the YUFE Academy.
The YUFE Academy will take place in May 2024 at YUFE member universities spread across the continent – from Madrid in the west to Joensuu in the east. It is a series of open meetings oscillating around four focus areas of the network: European identity and Europe's responsibility in a global world, citizens' well-being, digital societies, and sustainable development.
The series includes lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and talks, which will take place stationary at partner universities, virtually and in a combined mode, allowing the audience to join on-site or from the comfort of their home. Most events will be conducted in English, but not exclusively. Multilingualism and the involvement of local communities are essential aspects of the consortium's activities so that some lectures will be held in other languages (among them Polish, Spanish, and Croatian).
On-site lectures that will take place in Toruń will be held from 15-17 May at the University Library at 13 Gagarina Street.
On 15 May at 13:00 CET, the lecture This is me: An overview of LGBTQ+ identities, lived experiences, and inclusion will be given by Karen Bush, YUFE's leader for equality, diversity and inclusivity from the University of Essex. Shortly after, Molly Astarita – a Fulbright scholar – will lead a workshop exploring themes of equality and equity.
On 16 May at 12:00 CET, Dr Slawomir Kujawski will give a lecture in English, and talk about research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
On the following day – 17 May, at 12:00 CET, again in the University Library, Professor Ireneusz Sobota will introduce the audience to the secrets of working at a polar research station (lecture in Polish).
In addition, from mid-May until the end of the month, an exhibition entitled See Yourself in Europe will be on display at the campus along the fountain, introducing the profiles of the universities affiliated with YUFE. European values are the alliance's foundation, and the timing is no coincidence – May marks Europe Day, and the Europarliamentary elections are approaching. Free participation in the alliance's offer is only possible thanks to EU funding.
In addition to the on-site events, some lectures will be offered virtually. These include the Modern tools in drug design lecture organised by the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Antwerp offers a lecture on green death, and the University of Charles III in Madrid presents a lecture on energy poverty. Also, the NCU University Library will host online classes on digital exhibitions.
Registration is required for the events taking place virtually and in the hybrid format and can be done on the YUFE Virtual Campus. YUFE Academy lectures are also held at other times, all of them always published on the alliance's virtual campus.
The complete programme is available for downloading here and at yufe.eu/academy.
Both individuals and organised groups are welcome to participate in the event. Teachers willing to come with the students are kindly requested to contact the organisers in advance at yufe@umk.pl.
If you face any difficulties during the registration please contact us at yufe@umk.pl.