Training courses for academic staff
The EMERGE training, incentive, and support schemes enable academic staff to actively engage in the development and delivery of EMERGE degree programmes and European Academic Pathways.
Building on the alliance’s Joint Teaching and Learning Framework, the task aims to strengthen teaching collaboration across institutions through shared professional development opportunities, innovative pedagogical approaches, and sustainable support structures. The initiative seeks to recognise and reward academic engagement in European University Alliance activities, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and internationalisation in higher education.
Description
This workshop introduces university staff to the fundamentals of Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) as a practice-oriented, interdisciplinary approach to learning. It supports participants in designing a practice-oriented, critically reflective and sustainable CBL learning environment for their own module or teaching activities.
Learning Outcomes
The aim is to equip participants to address real-world, societally relevant challenges – for example, in the areas of sustainability, social justice or digital inclusion – in collaboration with external partners. Using the CBL Compass and the Engage–Investigate–Act model, participants learn how to develop a structured CBL approach that fosters self-directed learning, critical thinking, collaboration and social responsibility.
Participants also reflect on their role as coaches, design AI-resilient assessment approaches (process versus product, individual versus team-based assessment), make effective use of technological and physical learning spaces, and strengthen reciprocity and inclusion throughout the learning process.
The focus is on developing an initial, realistic CBL proposal with a concrete next step towards implementation, aligned with the objectives of European Academic Pathways and the European University Alliance EMERGE.
The workshop promotes a forward-looking, inclusive and socially responsible approach to higher education.
Workshop facilitator: Carolin Ermer
Date: 13.11.26
Time: 10:00 am–13:00 pm
Room: OSL 642
Description
This workshop introduces university staff to the fundamentals of Service-Learning and supports them in designing authentic, sustainable and balanced Service-Learning practices within their degree programmes.
Learning Outcomes
The aim is to equip participants to develop meaningful learning projects in collaboration with local communities or organisations (e.g. social care institutions, NGOs or neighbourhood initiatives). These projects address societal needs while fostering students’ subject-specific, social and reflective competencies.
Participants learn how to identify genuine community needs, develop a structured learning framework, design reflective learning processes, document and assess learning outcomes, and ensure reciprocity, participatory planning and ethical responsibility throughout the process.
The focus is on developing an initial, realistic Service-Learning proposal for a module of their own, including a concrete next step towards implementation.
The workshop promotes shared responsibility for education and social participation, while strengthening the role of the university as an active and responsible partner in society. It aligns with the objectives of European Academic Pathways and the European University Alliance EMERGE.
Workshop facilitator: Larissa Binder
Date: 3.12.2026
Time: 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Room: MAD 099
Description
This short workshop supports university staff in developing and delivering trauma-informed teaching. It draws on interdisciplinary research and the experiences of nine European partner universities within the European University Alliance EMERGE, addressing an urgent need: many students have experienced difficult life circumstances that can negatively affect their learning and well-being, often without their lecturers being aware of them.
Learning Outcomes
The workshop provides a foundational understanding of trauma, particularly its effects on the nervous system, learning and behaviour. It introduces the concept of the ‘window of tolerance’ to explain how students may respond when experiencing distress or crisis, either through hyperarousal (fight or flight) or hypoarousal (freezing or withdrawal).
Workshop facilitator(s): Gabriela Bitai und Anna Rüscher
Date: 30.10.26
Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Room: CreAItive Lounge, RIG 717
Description
This workshop supports university staff in developing intercultural competence in everyday interactions within higher education. Drawing on a dynamic understanding of culture and the significance of cultural assumptions, participants critically reflect on everyday practices such as communication, feedback, expectations around participation and group work.
Learning Outcomes
The aim is to help participants recognise unconscious stereotypes, ethnocentric norms and cultural misunderstandings that may exclude or marginalise students from different cultural backgrounds. Through the analysis of real-life scenarios in small groups and institutional reflection, participants develop alternative, inclusive approaches to communication and practice.
The learning outcomes include understanding intercultural competence, identifying cultural assumptions in higher education practices, developing the ability to take different perspectives, and devising concrete measures to promote culturally sensitive and more equitable teaching.
The workshop promotes an approach to higher education that recognises diversity as a resource and values all students as equal participants in the learning process.
Workshop facilitator: Anna Lambert
Date: 13.11.2026
Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Room: HEL 166
Description
This workshop supports university staff in recognising and reflecting on disability-related microaggressions in academic practice. Drawing on conceptual foundations relating to ableism, microaggressions and the distinction between intention and impact, participants critically examine everyday interactions in higher education.
Seminar Content
The aim is to raise awareness of how seemingly commonplace statements or practices – even when there is no harmful intent – can convey exclusion, devaluation or a lack of belonging. Through the analysis of real-life scenarios in small groups and institutional reflection, participants develop alternative, inclusive practices.
The learning outcomes include understanding microaggressions, identifying examples within higher education, reflecting on the underlying assumptions, and developing concrete courses of action.
The workshop promotes a more culturally and institutionally sensitive approach to higher education that strengthens participation, recognition and equality.
Workshop facilitator: Sophie Constanza Bleuel
Date: 28.10.2026
Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Room: TRO 107