The OPEN COST Action explores how the rise of new nationalisms and geopolitical tensions exert a growing pressure on the openness of European higher education and research and examines its implications for the future of Europe. The university finds itself entangled in contrasting visions of Europe. On one hand, visions of deeper political integration, openness, and freedom, and on the other hand, visions where European nation-states (re)gain power as the locust of political sovereignty and where protectionism, restrictive regionalism, and security politics challenge open exchange with communities outside the EU. These developments have implications for fundamental values and rights such as academic freedom and university autonomy. By bringing together researchers from across European countries, OPEN will converge diverse pan-European and interdisciplinary perspectives on the university in times of crisis.
