The OPEN action’s first annual conference at the University of Aveiro represented a significant milestone in the efforts of the OPEN Action to address pressing issues surrounding the openness of European higher education and research in the face of rising nationalisms and geopolitical pressures. By bringing together leading scholars from 40 countries, the conference took collective step towards converging diverse pan-European and interdisciplinary perspectives on the university in times of geopolitical uncertainty.

With a wide array of insightful keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops, attendees engaged with the latest advancements and challenges in navigating the complexities of historical and current pressures academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Moreover, ample networking opportunities enabled participants to forge new collaborations, share research findings, and contribute to the advancement of research agendas within the EU and beyond.

A heartfelt thanks to all the participants for their inspiring and insightful comments during the conference. Very promising indeed for the future scholarship on the openness of higher education and research, not least when it comes to challenges concerning academic freedom. A very special thanks to Sara Diogo from the University of Aveiro for her invaluable contribution in making this conference possible. For more information about the OPEN Action, please visit www.opencostaction.eu or follow @OPENcostACTION on X and “OPEN. EU COST Action CA22121” on LinkedIn.