As YERUN celebrates its 10th anniversary, we engaged in answering probably the most asked question when it comes to our network: What is a young research university?
To do this, we are turning to those who live it every day: our members. Through their voices, reflections, and stories, we uncover the essence of being a young research university through the challenges faced, the ambitions pursued, and the impact made.
Founded in 2015, the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN) brought together universities with a shared mission: to amplify the voices of young research institutions in Europe. But “young” means more than age: it’s a mindset, a civic mission, and a drive for innovation rooted in real societal needs.
This publication brings together a shared reflection and 24 stories that illustrate what it means to be young, research-focused and committed to meaningful change university.
To conclude this reflection, we share 10 wishes, a collective vision from across YERUN’s membership, looking ahead to the next decade. These aspirations capture the spirit of our network and our commitment to improve the future of higher education.
