Research and Innovation

Target audience

Research & Innovation Administrators at all levels within Nordic universities working with research and innovation services.

Focus area

The NUAS Research & Innovation (R&I) Group is a Nordic platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking within research and innovation administration.

The group complements existing national and European networks by focusing on the Nordic context and identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration and development within research and innovation. It also provides a forum for discussing relevant policy developments at Nordic and European levels, including topics within the European Research Area (ERA).

Key areas of interest include research & innovation services, research assessment, open science, impact, research security, and the evolving role of universities in society.

Activities

The group was reactivated in 2024 and re-established its activities during 2025.

Activities in 2025 included:

• Regular online meetings for exchange of experiences and networking
• One annual in-person meeting (2–3 October 2025, Copenhagen, in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers)
• Benchmarking of research and innovation support functions across Nordic universities
• Sharing of good practices and institutional approaches

The group operates with shared responsibility, rotating facilitation, and a focus on creating an open and trusted environment for discussion.

Plans for 2026

The group will continue its regular meetings and further develop its benchmarking activities and Nordic collaboration.

Planned activities include:

• Continued online meetings and one annual in-person meeting
• A joint webinar on research security (24 April): https://nuas.org/event/webinar-how-do-we-safekeep-our-research-in-an-increasingly-complex-world/ 
• Two interactive sessions at the NUAS Forum 2026 (August), focusing on current and strategic topics:
• Organising for Responsible Internationalisation
• Boosting Nordic Success in EU Funding: National Strategies in Action
• Exploration of additional seminars or workshops in collaboration with relevant Nordic and European networks

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