EPICUR – European University Alliance
EPICUR, a first-generation European University Alliance, consists of nine partner universities who have joined forces to create a European University of the future. By fostering ever closer collaborations among academics, students, and administrative staff, it is our core ambition to jointly transform our education, research, and transfer practices. We aim to train new generations of European change-makers able to shape a European society in transition.
As a European University Alliance, EPICUR focuses on teaching and learning. We strive to bring together students, educators, researchers, as well as administrative staff to offer a meaningful European learning and academic training experience to all. To that end, EPICUR has defined four initial priority areas: Sustainable Transformation, European Values, Global Health, and Future Intelligence.
Flagship EPICUR developments and initiatives such as the Educational Offers, the Centre for International Teaching & Learning, Research Hubs, and Seed Funding for research projects offer exciting opportunities to get involved. We invite you to explore EPICUR at Freiburg – whether you are a student, researcher, educator, or partner.
The EPICUR Educational Offers provide Freiburg students opportunities to enrich their studies in an international, interdisciplinary, and flexible manner: You can participate in innovative learning offers and interact with students from across Europe – both online and on-site at a partner university. Courses are often project-based and focus on current social challenges. EPICUR also offers summer schools, workshops, excursions, language courses, internships with external partners, and opportunities to engage in student committees.
Participation is straightforward, free, and can be flexibly integrated into your studies. Credit recognition is possible toward your degree programme, and EPICUR certifications look great on your resume. Take advantage of this opportunity to develop personally and professionally, and actively participate in shaping European higher education!
EPICUR Student Board
The EPICUR Student Board gives students a direct voice in the alliance’s work. Acting as an independent advisory board, it provides student perspectives on EPICUR’s policy and direction and participates at all levels of alliance governance. The Board Board coordinates student initiatives, facilitates alliance-wide involvement, and strengthens connections across partner universities. Each partner university nominates two students to the Board. At the University of Freiburg, the current representatives are Emily Wells and Theo Cullen-Mouze, who are always happy to hear from fellow students and address questions or concerns regarding EPICUR.
Get in touch with the Student Board: studentboard@epicur.edu.eu
What I love most about EPICUR is how open we are to fresh perspectives – every voice counts! You really feel empowered to bring forward your ideas and see them come to life.
Theo Cullen-Mouze
Student Board member, University of Freiburg
I attended two EPICUR courses and loved the hands-on approach. Meeting students from all over Europe broadened my perspective and opened new doors in my studies. It even inspired me to start my own cross-border research project!
Alexandra Hudson
MA student, University of Strasbourg
It was such a great experience to attend the first edition of the European EPICUR University. I met inspiring people and gained invaluable international experience! The mix of academic learning and cultural exchange was absolutely unique.
Yacine Cherraoui
MSc student, University of Haute-Alsace
International learning and teaching helps students and educators to connect with different ideas and cultures. Teaching in EPICUR is international and engaging and takes on many forms: joint courses and field trips, guest lectures, opening your course to EPICUR partners in order to increase your classroom perspectives, integrating courses from EPICUR partners in Freiburg study programmes, or collaborating with partners in EPICUR learning pathways. EPICUR provides educators and students with opportunities and spaces to develop new teaching formats, thus improving the overall quality of international higher education.
EPICUR Centre for International Teaching & Learning
Are you an educator or an educational developer at one of the EPICUR partners? Are you interested in international teaching and learning?
The EPICUR Centre for International Teaching & Learning (EPiC TLC) is a central service unit and invites you to explore collaboration and enjoy resources and opportunities for professional growth and community building. Join us at our Community of Practice’s virtual space! Do you have questions or suggestions? Get in touch at tlc@epicur.edu.eu.
Research is a core pillar of our work alongside teaching and transfer. Through initiatives like EPICUR-Research (2021-2024) and EPICUR SHAPE-IT (2022-2026), we foster interdisciplinary collaboration and integrate cutting-edge scientific discoveries into educational programmes. In addition, EPICUR provides training, networking and intersectoral exchange opportunities for current and future researchers, e.g., with Seed Funding, EPICUR Hubs, Citizen Science activities, and with the institutionalization of the Early Career Researchers Board.
EPICUR Seed Funding
EPICUR Seed Funding supports innovative, one-year collaborative projects that connect research and teaching across the nine EPICUR partner universities. Open to Researchers from all academic disciplines, it aims to foster interdisciplinary cooperation, strengthen European values, and address global challenges through joint initiatives. Early Career researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.
EPICUR Hubs
EPICUR Hubs are virtual centres for research-oriented learning, training, and networking. They are tailored for Master’s students and to Early Career Researchers, including Doctoral candidates and Postdoctoral researchers. Based in one of the four EPICUR Priority Areas, Hubs foster interdisciplinary collaboration, support innovative research, and prepare participants for diverse academic and non-academic careers.
Browse the EPICUR Hubs Virtual Space – your central access point for courses, events, mobility opportunities, and research collaborations!
Citizen Science
We believe that science is for everyone, at every stage and from all walks of life. With our citizen science projects, we invite you to join the adventure of discovery and lifelong learning. Together, we explore new questions, uncover meaningful solutions, and build up a vibrant community passionate about science and learning. Citizen science is a way to connect, share knowledge, and foster continuous personal and collective growth. Join us, and become part of this exciting scientific journey and lifelong learning community!
Do you want to learn more? Get in touch with Yuna, our Citizen Science Manager.
Early Career Researchers Board
The Early Career Researchers Board (ECRB) is an advisory and consultative body within the EPICUR-Research framework. Composed of representatives from all EPICUR partners, it ensures that the perspectives of early career researchers, such as PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and junior group leaders, are integrated into the alliance’s research activities and strategic planning.
The Board’s responsibilities include:
- Providing feedback on the design and implementation of EPICUR research initiatives and pilot activities.
- Advising work package leaders and the project coordination team on topics related to research, mobility, and inter-university collaboration.
- Disseminating EPICUR’s mission and activities at both local and international levels.
- Representing the interests of early career researchers, promoting cross-border networking, and fostering collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
Get in touch with the Early Career Researchers Board: ecrboard@epicur.edu.eu
Melanie Arndt, vice-rector for internationalization and sustainability, is responsible for the strategic oversight and leadership of EPICUR. EPICUR Freiburg’s coordination and central administration are located in the Strategy Department, where Kilian Topp, head of Strategy and University Development, leads the project and guides strategic decisions.
Centrally, the Executive Board oversees EPICUR; rector Kerstin Krieglstein or vice-rector Melanie Arndt participate in the Executive Board. The EPICUR Erasmus+ project is led by the Management Board, which includes Melanie Arndt or Kilian Topp from Freiburg.
Four consultative committees assist the boards in their decision-making. The University of Freiburg representatives are as follows:
- Education Committee: Paul Sterzel, Managing Director of University College Freiburg
- Research and Transfer Committee: Christian Jäger, Head of the EU Office
- Mobility Committee: Jens Langer, Coordination Mobility, International Office
- Digital Strategy Committee: Nicole Wöhrle, Head of the E-Learning Department
EPICUR core staff is situated at several units at the University of Freiburg. This ensures broad and expertise-oriented university participation in EPICUR:
| Name | Function | Unit | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bumann, Elisa | Higher Education Didactics Specialist | Hochschuldidaktik und digitale Lehrentwicklung | elisa.bumann@zv.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-95399 |
| Hüther-Pape, Lisa | Higher Education Didactics Specialist | Hochschuldidaktik und digitale Lehrentwicklung | lisa.huether@hdz.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-98748 |
| Hutz-Nierhoff, Dorthe | Digital Education Specialist | RZ/E-Learning | dorthe.hutz@rz.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-9875 |
| Kiefel, Katharina | Project and Communication Manager | Hochschul- und Wissenschaftskommunikation | katharina.kiefel@zv.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-95426 |
| Klinger, Rahel | Administrative Support | Strategie und Universitätsentwicklung | rahel.klinger@zv.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-67699 |
| Klose, Stefanie | WP4 Project Manager | University College Freiburg | stefanie.klose@ucf.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-67938 |
| Kupke, Nina | Administrative Support | University College Freiburg | nina.kupke@ucf.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-67611 |
| Langowski, Charlotte | Institutional Coordinator | Strategie und Universitätsentwicklung | charlotte.langowski@zv.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-95794 |
| Liu, Yuna Yacong | Citizen Science Manager | BrainLinks BrainTools | liu@brainlinks-braintools.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-73804 |
| Nagy, Marei | Mobility Officer | International Office | marei.nagy@zv.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-95429 |
| Randall, Steven | WP4 Lead | University College Freiburg | steven.randall@ucf.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-67938 |
| Weis, Nicola | Finance Manager | Strategie und Universitätsentwicklung | nicola.weis@zv.uni-freiburg.de | +49 761 203-67698 |
Would you like to learn more about EPICUR in Freiburg?
Get in touch at: epicur@uni-freiburg.de!
