Research

Our universities have been producing regionally relevant and globally impactful knowledge for over 50 years.

In 2020, RUN-EU brought together researchers from all regions of Europe to create unique interuniversity research spaces and teams.

RUN-European Research Area (RUN-ERA)

RUN-ERA is a major step forward in strengthening the research and innovation mission of our European University. Developed as an integral part of RUN-EU’s long-term innovation strategy, RUN-ERA builds on the foundations laid by our existing European Innovation Hubs (RUN-EIH), the RUN Discovery Programme and the achievements of the RUN-EU PLUS project. Our vision for RUN-ERA is to enhance the national and international competitiveness of our associated regions and their academic communities through improved access to innovation excellence and stronger links between innovation ecosystems.

The main objective of RUN-ERA is to consolidate and strengthen our research and innovation capacities.
We aim to:

  • Identify and support collaborative research and innovation opportunities.
  • Serve as an interface for the development of research and innovation activities focused on societal transformation by engaging with external stakeholders in business, industry, society and regional government.
  • Support the development of the research community across RUN-EU.

RUN-ERA operates through three interlinked pillars

RUN Immersive Research Institute
(RUN-IRI)

RUN Discovery
(RUN-DIS)

RUN European Innovation Hubs
(RUN-EIH)

RUN-IRI provides research and innovation-focused training to our extensive research community of over 2000 people. RUN-IRI emphasises mutual learning, where all researchers can be both learners and teachers, sharing knowledge to promote lifelong learning and career development in research and innovation.

In line with the EU ERA Pact, RUN-IRI promotes shared values and principles for immersive research and innovation practices within RUN-EU. These include policies on ethics and integrity in research and innovation, freedom of scientific inquiry, gender equality, equal opportunities, collaboration in pursuit of excellence, and free circulation of researchers, staff and technology.

By forming a Community of Practice in Research and Open Science within RUN-ERA, led by our R&I and Open Science Ambassadors, we aim to support our research community in achieving measurable societal and economic impact with global outreach, inclusiveness and social responsibility.

RUN-DIS Is the engine for building future-oriented European Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) teams. It brings together researchers, students, academic staff and regional partners in a multidisciplinary approach to deliver innovative solutions across Europe.

Key research clusters have been formed in areas such as Food & Biotechnology, Tourism, IoT & Cybersecurity, Smart Sustainable Manufacturing, Climate Change, Education & Social Sciences, Health & Wellbeing, and Creative Arts & Design and Materials Thinking.

RUN-DIS will facilitate collaboration through Short Research Programmes (SRPs) and Researcher Colloquia. SRPs are intensive one-week events for scientific exchange and planning of long-term collaborations. They provide mobility opportunities for researchers to visit alliance partners. Researcher colloquia and poster presentations will further disseminate knowledge and foster networking.

The RUN Research Expert Network will support researchers in developing project proposals and setting up research groups. It will work with RUN-IRI to provide high quality training courses. To cultivate future research talent, RUN-DIS has established the RUN Discovery Student Academy, offering high-potential students the opportunity to engage in research for 3 to 12 months within an immersive learning ecosystem, with mandatory mobility within the Alliance.

RUN-DIS

RUN-EIH aims to foster collaborative research, innovation and engagement activities by using knowledge transfer tools between RUN-EU Alliance members and regional stakeholders in business, industry, government and society.

This approach encourages RUN-EU member universities to work with regional stakeholders on innovative initiatives that contribute to sustainable economic, social, cultural and environmental progress in member regions. RUN-EIH transforms research ideas into marketable innovations by working with companies, institutes, investors and academia in the alliance regions

Three European Innovation Hubs have been established, focusing on:

  • Future industries and sustainable regional development
  • Bio-economy
  • Social innovation

These hubs will align with EU priorities related to the digital and green transition and current and future socio-economic challenges.

Our research areas

Creative Art, Design & Materials Thinking

Art, product design, environmental design, interaction, multimedia, communication, eco-design, social engagement, among other themes.

Food & Biotechnology

Provision of innovative biotechnological and scientific solutions in the applied food and biotechnology sectors.

Tourism

Sustainable and digitalised nature tourism, tourism economics, tourism influence on the circular economy, and e-tourism, among other research themes.

IoT & Cybersecurity

All areas of information and communication systems and technologies, including wireless and optical communications, networks and multimedia, electronic security and digital forensics.

Smart, Sustainable & Advanced Manufacturing

Intelligent systems and smart sustainable factories with a key emphasis on Industry 4.0 to increase the flexibility and efficiency of the production process.

Climate Change – Circular Economy & Decarbonisation

Decarbonisation, innovative energy management systems, including energy efficiency strategies, energy generation, storage and monitoring, and data analytics.

Education & Social Sciences

Collaborative research with communities in critical youth work, community development, and education and training.

Health & Wellbeing

New tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society, supporting local communities, people and the economy.

Get in touch

UniversityContact PersonEmail
IPCAPaula Tavares
(Research Area Leader)		ptavares@ipca.pt
IPLeiriaJoão dos Santossantos@ipleiria.pt
IPLeiriaSandra Nevessandra.neves@ipleiria.pt
TUS Adam deEytoAdam.deEyto@tus.ie
TUS Sean LyonsSean.Lyons@tus.ie
IPCAJorge Pereirajmpereira@ipca.pt
HAMKSatu Jumisko-Pyykkösatu.jumisko-pyykko@hamk.fi
HAMKPäivi laaksonenpaivi.laaksonen@hamk.fi
NHL StendenMarcel Crulmarcel.crul@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenPeter Joorepeter.joore@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenIvo Wenzlerivo.wenzler@nhlstenden.com
FHVMargarita Köhlmargarita.koehl@fhv.at
HowestVicky Vermeulenvicky.vermeulen@howest.be
HowestJulie Bruggemanjulie.bruggeman@howest.be
UniversityContact PersonEmail
HAMKAnnukka Pakarinen
(Research Area Leader)		annukka.pakarinen@hamk.fi
IPLeiriaSara Novaissara.novais@ipleiria.pt
TUS Patrick MurrayPatrick.Murray@tus.ie
IPCAN/AN/A
HAMKAnnukka Pakarinen annukka.pakarinen@hamk.fi
FHVN/AN/A
NHL StendenLuewton Agostinholuewton.agostinho@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenJan Jagerjan.jager@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenRudy Folkersmarudy.folkersma@nhlstenden.com
HowestPaco Hulpiaupaco.hulpiau@howest.be
UniversityContact PersonEmail
TUSAnthony Johnson
(Research Area Leader)		Anthony.Johnston@tus.ie
IPLeiriaFrancisco Diasfrancisco.dias@ipleiria.pt
TUS Catriona MurphyCatriona.Murphy@tus.ie
TUSMarie MitchellMarie.Mitchell@tus.ie
TUS Marie TaylorMarie.Taylor@tus.ie
TUSNoelle O’ConnorNoelle.OConnor@tus.ie
HAMKMenna Rantala (hepat)menna.rantala@hamk.fi
HAMKMika Soramäki (eräily)mika.soramaki@hamk.fi
IPCAAlexandra Malheiroamalheiro@ipca.pt
NHL StendenElena Cavagneroelena.cavagnaro@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenErwin Losekooterwin.losekoot@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenAlbert Postmaalbert.postma@nhlstenden.com
HowestFilip Daniëlsfilip.daniels@howest.be
UniversityContact PersonEmail
FHVMarkus Preissinger
(Research Area Leader)		markus.preissinger@fhv.at
IPLeiriaNuno Costanuno.costa@ipleiria.pt
IPLeiriaLeonel Santosleonel.santos@ipleiria.pt
TUSBrian LeeBrian.Lee@tus.ie
TUSMike WinterburnMichael.Winterburn@tus.ie
TUSKen OakleyKen.Oakley@tus.ie
FHVDr. Heinz Seyringerheinz.seyringer@fhv.at
FHVMartin Doblermartin.dobler@fhv.at
FHVArmin Simmaarmin.simma@fhv.at
HAMKJoni Kukkamäkijoni.kukkamaki@hamk.fi
IPCANuno Lopesnlopes@ipca.pt
IPCALuís Ferreiralufer@ipca.pt
NHL StendenWouter Stowouter.stol@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenJoyce Kerstensjoyce.kerstens@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenJeroen Pijpkerjeroen.pijpker@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenStephen McCombiestephen.mccombie@nhlstenden.com
HowestGert-Jan Willegert-jan.wille@howest.be
HowestDaniël Du Seuildaniel.du.seuil@howest.be
UniversityContact PersonEmail
TUSJohn Cosgrove
(Research Area Leader)		John.Cosgrove@lit.ie
IPLeiriaHugo Costelhahugo.costelha@ipleiria.pt
TUS Declan DevineDeclan.Devine@tus.ie
FHVRobert Merzrobert.merz@fhv.at
HAMKJukka Pulkkinenjukka.pulkkinen@hamk.fi
HAMKFrancois Christophe francois.christophe@hamk.fi
HAMKEetu Kivirasieetu.kivirasi@hamk.fi
IPCAAntónio Moreiraamoreira@ipca.pt
NHL StendenWilbert van den Eijndewilbert.van.den.eijnde@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenJaap van de Loosdrechtjaap.van.de.loosdrecht@nhlstenden.com
HowestDaniël Du Seuildaniel.du.seuil@howest.be
HowestCharlotte Larmuseaucharlotte.larmuseau@howest.be
HowestJonathan Maesjonathan.maes@howest.be
UniversityContact PersonEmail
IPLeiriaTeresa Eugénio
(Research Area Leader)		teresa.eugenio@ipleiria.pt
TUSSeamus HoyneSeamus.Hoyne@tus.ie
TUSMargaret Brennan FournetMargaret.BrennanFournet@tus.ie
FHVJens Schumacherjens.schumacher@fhv.at
HAMKIivari Kunttuiivari.kunttu@hamk.fi
HAMKJari Hyväluoma jari.hyvaluoma@hamk.fi
HAMKKaisa Kontukaisa.kontu@hamk.fi
HAMKPäivi Laaksonen paivi.laaksonen@hamk.fi
IPCARicardo Simõesrsimoes@ipca.pt
IPCADaniel Mirandadamiranda@ipca.pt
NHL StendenMatthias Olthaarmatthias.olthaar@nhlstenden.com 
NHL StendenAleid Brouweraleid.brouwer@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenJan Jagerjan.jager@joaosantoshlstenden.com
NHL StendenRudy Folkersmarudy.folkersma@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenWelmoed van der Veldewelmoed.van.der.velde@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenHerbert Koelmanherbert.koelman@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenMarcel Crulmarcel.crul@nhlstenden.com
HowestJurgen Van Ryckeghemjurgen.van.ryckeghem@howest.be
HowestMonika Krastevamonika.krasteva@howest.be
HowestJulie Bruggemanjulie.bruggeman@howest.be
UniversityContact PersonEmail
NHL StendenJanneke Metselaar
(Research Area Leader)		janneke.metselaar@nhlstenden.com
IPLeiriaIsabel Diasisabel.dias@ipleiria.pt
TUSLisa O’Rourke ScottLisa.ORourkeScott@tus.ie
TUSJeffrey Buckley Jeffrey.Buckley@tus.ie
HAMKJaana-Maija Koivistojaana-maija.koivisto@hamk.fi
HAMKLiisa Postareffliisa.postareff@hamk.fi
IPCASónia Monteirosmonteiro@ipca.pt
IPCAVitor Carvalhovcarvalho@ipca.pt
NHL StendenJoana Duartejoana.da.silveira.duarte@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenRobert Coelenrobert.coelen@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenMigchiel van Diggelenmigchiel.van.diggelen@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenDeike Schulzdeike.schulz@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenJacqueline Rietveldjacqueline.rietveld@nhlstenden.com
FHVFabian Rebitzerfabian.rebitzer@fhv.at
HowestStefanie Verstraetestefanie.verstraete@howest.be
HowestElia Wyverknselia.wyverkens@howest.be
UniversityContact PersonEmail
IPCAJoão Vilaça
(Research Area Leader)		jvilaca@ipca.pt
IPLeiriaMaria Guarinomaria.guarino@ipleiria.pt
TUSFrank HoughtonFrank.Houghton@tus.ie
TUSDon FallerDon.Faller@tus.ie
HAMKMerja Saarelamerja.saarela@hamk.fi
HAMKKimmo Vänni kimmo.vanni@hamk.fi
NHL StendenJob van ‘t Veerjob.van.t.veer@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenGea van Dijkgea.van.dijk@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenNynke Boonstranynke.boonstra@nhlstenden.com
NHL StendenJacqueline Rietveldjacqueline.rietveld@nhlstenden.com
FHVMichael Himmermichael.himmer@fhv.at
HowestSigrid Van den Brandensigrid.van.den.branden@howest.be
HowestDanny Vereeckedanny.vereecke@howest.be

Research centres across RUN-EU

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