T4EU Seminar on the Future of Academic Leadership
28–29 September 2026 | University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
About
On 28–29 September 2026, the University of Silesia in Katowice hosted the seminar ‘Global Leadership in European Universities: How to Lead Universities in Times of Global Uncertainty’, organised as part of the Transform4Europe Alliance.
The event provided a platform for international, interdisciplinary discussion on the future of European universities and academic leadership amidst growing geopolitical uncertainty, social transformation, declining trust in institutions, and the challenges of the digital landscape. Participants explored the role of higher education in building democratic and societal resilience, as well as the essential competencies required by modern academic leaders.
The programme featured expert lectures, panel discussions, and a roundtable debate, all centred on four key areas: shifting democratic values and their impact on academic leadership, political radicalisation and digital threats, European cooperation for building resilient universities, and the role of media and visibility in leadership.
Bringing together academics and experts from various fields of research and higher education management, the seminar served to exchange knowledge and best practices, as well as to strengthen cooperation and leadership networks across the Transform4Europe Alliance.
The event closely aligned with the mission of Transform4Europe, fostering European academic cooperation, strategic dialogue, and the search for resilient university models capable of navigating contemporary crises and future challenges.
