17-18 June 2026
A practical platform where research, technology, and business partners meet to turn innovation into market-ready solutions.
Brussels | 17–18 June 2026
The “From Widening to Transformation” conference is a high-level forum designed to move beyond traditional “gap-bridging” and focus on deep, systemic change. Hosted at the NCBR Centre in Brussels and organized under the umbrella of theUnite!Widening project,this event brings together the architects of the European Research Area (ERA)—from Rectors of leading technical universities to key directors at the European Commission—to turn the vision of an integrated scientific Europe into a reality.
The European Higher Education landscape is at a turning point.
We are moving from a phase of “Widening” participation to a phase of
a Transformation. This conference explores how European University Alliances, act as operational hubs that don’t just bridge regions, but actively drive regional growth, economic vitality, and strategic autonomy for the entire Union.
Foster Innovation Ecosystems: Advance the evolution of universities from simply “bridging gaps” into active, operational hubs that drive regional growth and economic vitality.
Enhance Knowledge Valorization: Strengthen the pathways that move scientific excellence from the lab to the Single Market, creating sustainable social and economic value.
Promote Transnational Integration: Collaborate on the development of a truly integrated, “borderless” academic environment that facilitates the seamless mobility of students and researchers.
Advance Strategic Policy Alignment: Deepen the synergy between local university missions and the European Union’s long-term priorities to ensure a resilient and competitive research landscape.
Join us in Brussels to help shape a resilient, competitive, and truly integrated European research landscape.
The event features a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:
Unite!Widening is a complementary initiative of the Unite! European University Alliance. It aims to raise scientific excellence and maximize knowledge impact by fostering extensive collaboration across universities and partners from diverse regions, specially in widening countries like Poland and Portugal. More info here.
The conference is hosted at the NCBR Office in Brussels, serving as a hub for substantive, informal dialogue on the key challenges shaping the future of higher education.
Have a Voice in EU Policy: This isn’t just a series of lectures. It’s a chance to sit at the table with the people who write the rules for the European Research Area (ERA). You can directly influence how the next phase of “Widening” and University Alliances will look.
Real Access to Decision-Makers: Skip the formal emails. Here, you can talk face-to-face with top officials from the European Commission and Parliament (including experts from DG MOVE, EAC, and R&I) in a setting designed for real conversation.
Learn from the Best Alliances: See how other Rectors and Vice-Rectors are solving the same problems you face—like how to build a “seamless campus” or how to better connect your researchers with industry and regional partners.
Practical “Hands-on” Insights: We’re moving past the theory. You’ll get a look at the “Digital Bridges” framework—a practical way we’ve found to help universities in countries like Poland and Portugal compete at the highest level in Europe.
Build Better Consortia: Use this time to find your next strategic partners. By meeting the leaders of major European Alliances in person, you’ll be in a much stronger position to lead or join the next generation of high-impact EU projects.
Join us in Brussels to help turn European research into local impact.
Representative of the EUDRES Alliance. An expert in “Widening” projects, specializing in the practical implementation of development strategies for universities in regions with lower research intensity.
Secretary General of CESAER. PhD engineer and a thought leader in European science and innovation policy. He represents leading European science and technology universities, focusing on their impact on the European Research Area (ERA).
President of the Polytechnic University of Tomar and President of the KreativEU Alliance. Specializes in higher education management and the integration of technical sciences with the creative sector and cultural heritage in a European context.
President of the European University Association (EUA). Former Rector of Universitat Ramon Llull. The leading voice of the European academic sector in dialogue with the European Commission regarding university autonomy and transformation.
Director of ESEIA (European Sustainable Energy Innovation Alliance). An expert in sustainable energy and innovation. Manages a cross-sectoral alliance linking academia with industry to implement green technologies.
Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon. Former Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education of Portugal. A renowned architect of the European “Widening” policy and an advocate for increased R&I investment in developing regions.
Professor at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology (PAS) and Member of the ERC Scientific Council. A distinguished neurobiologist who actively supports researchers from Widening regions in securing prestigious European Research Council grants.
Professor at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Unite!Widening Project Coordinator. An expert in research project management and knowledge transfer. Responsible for the operational implementation of the Unite! alliance’s transformational goals.
Vice-Rector for Cooperation with the External Environment at WUST, Vice-President of the T.I.M.E. Association. An expert in environmental engineering and science-business relations, actively promoting the “Digital Bridges” model.
Vice-President of the Polytechnic University of Tomar and Secretary-General of KreativEU. A specialist in educational technology and innovation in teaching, involved in building digital competencies within university alliances.
Head of Office at INESC Brussels HUB. An expert in strategic consulting and R&I policy. Specializes in aligning the interests of research institutions with Brussels’ legislative priorities.
Professor at IST Lisbon, Unite!Widening Project Coordinator. A distinguished researcher in materials engineering. Leader of efforts to integrate innovation ecosystems across Europe.
Deputy Head of Unit for ERA, Spreading Excellence & Research Careers, DG R&I (European Commission). Responsible for the “Spreading Excellence” initiative and the development of research careers in Europe.
Representative of the CLiCAM project (ERA Talents). Specialist in communication and talent management in scientific research. Presents practical experiences from projects strengthening staff mobility in Widening regions.
Director for Energy Policy: Strategy and Coordination, DG ENER (European Commission). Responsible for the strategy and coordination of EU energy policy. Expert in energy security and decarbonization.
Professor at Lviv Polytechnic National University. A leading specialist in Artificial Intelligence and data analysis. Represents the Ukrainian academic sector in the process of integration with the European Research Area.
Expert and Moderator. Specializes in innovation and higher education development, with a particular focus on the perspective of young researchers and digital transformation.
Chair of the Board of Rectors of the Eureca-Pro Alliance. Rector of Hasselt University. Leader of an alliance focused on responsible consumption and production, promoting sustainable development in higher education.