Reinventing Campus Democracy

This session explores how Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) can strengthen democratic practices and inclusive dialogue in universities. Drawing on the Coimbra Group Equality and Diversity Working Group’s activities and forthcoming book Why EDI Matters: Equ(al)ity, Diversity and Inclusion in European Universities, facilitated discussions will explore structural, cultural, and practical factors that enable EDI on campus. At a moment when democratic values are under pressure worldwide, the book highlights the role of universities in safeguarding EDI as a foundation for both academic excellence and democratic resilience. Published for the Coimbra Group’s 40th anniversary, the book brings together 20 chapters by scholars and practitioners from member universities, offering diverse disciplinary, regional, and institutional perspectives. EDI is not only a matter of fairness but also a precondition for inclusive dialogue, participation, and the renewal of campus democracy. Bridging divides within academic communities requires attention to structural inequalities as well as practical strategies to strengthen belonging and voice. Participants will share and explore together how universities can ensure that underrepresented groups and minority voices are heard, feel empowered to participate, and are able to express disagreement safely. By combining insights and examples from the contributors with participants’ experiences, the session aims to identify strategies and solutions for fostering inclusive participation, equitable governance, and a campus-wide democratic culture. 

Preparatory Questions for Participants 

• Can you identify existing initiatives, activities, projects and/or actions at your university that have successfully fostered EDI and enhanced inclusive dialogue?
• How can disagreement and debate be encouraged while maintaining and environment of critical thinking, respect and inclusivity?
• How does attention to EDI enhance and contribute to broader goals of campus democracy, dialogue, and resilience? And move beyond our campuses to our communities and cities? 

Expected Outcomes 

• A shared understanding of the connection between EDI and campus democracy.
• A collection of critical insights and practical examples from Coimbra Group universities and other participants. 

In an era marked by intensifying environmental crises, the spread of climate change scepticism and broader anti-scientific sentiment challenges not only the successful implementation of sustainability policies, but also democratic dialogue and public trust in science. What can universities do to address and invert this trend? 
This session was developed within the framework of Coimbra Group’s commitment to sustainability, as set out in the recently adopted  Durham Declaration. Drawing on the experience of Coimbra Group university leaders, the session will explore the complex dynamics that sustain and foster scepticism toward climate science, and how broader anti-scientific narratives affect the world of research and higher education.
In an open dialogue, speakers and audience will discuss how universities can respond to this challenge, not only as knowledge institutions, but as key democratic actors shaping critical thinking, civic engagement, societal trust and resilience against disinformation. Participants will be invited to reflect on which concrete policies and practices universities can implement to rebuild trust in science and foster sustainable behaviours, not only among students and staff, but also across society. The conversation will be led by Wilco Hazeleger, Rector Magnificus of Utrecht University, and Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University.  

Preparatory Questions for Participants 

• Can you share an example from your own experience where climate scepticism or anti-scientific narratives affected your work or your institution? How was it (or could have been) addressed?
• How can universities act as democratic spaces that rebuild trust in science and encourage critical, informed engagement with climate issues?
• What practical steps — in teaching, communication, or institutional policy — can help counter climate misinformation within and beyond academia?

Expected outcome

• A shared understanding of the role of universities in relation to misinformation, climate scepticism and anti-scientific narratives.
• Recommendations for relevant follow-up initiatives, collaborative projects, or knowledge sharing at the Coimbra Group level.  

This session explores how Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) can strengthen democratic practices and inclusive dialogue in universities. Drawing on the Coimbra Group Equality and Diversity Working Group’s activities and forthcoming book Why EDI Matters: Equ(al)ity, Diversity and Inclusion in European Universities, facilitated discussions will explore structural, cultural, and practical factors that enable EDI on campus.  At a moment when democratic values are under pressure worldwide, the book highlights the role of universities in safeguarding EDI as a foundation for both academic excellence and democratic resilience. Published for the Coimbra Group’s 40th anniversary, the book brings together 20 chapters by scholars and practitioners from member universities, offering diverse disciplinary, regional, and institutional perspectives. EDI is not only a matter of fairness but also a precondition for inclusive dialogue, participation, and the renewal of campus democracy. Bridging divides within academic communities requires attention to structural inequalities as well as practical strategies to strengthen belonging and voice. 
Participants will share and explore together how universities can ensure that underrepresented groups and minority voices are heard, feel empowered to participate, and are able to express disagreement safely. By combining insights and examples from the contributors with participants’ experiences, the session aims to identify strategies and solutions for fostering inclusive participation, equitable governance, and a campus-wide democratic culture. 

Preparatory Questions for Participants 

• Can you identify existing initiatives, activities, projects and/or actions at your university that have successfully fostered EDI and enhanced inclusive dialogue?
• How can disagreement and debate be encouraged while maintaining and environment of critical thinking, respect and inclusivity?
• How does attention to EDI enhance and contribute to broader goals of campus democracy, dialogue, and resilience? And move beyond our campuses to our communities and cities? 

Expected Outcomes 

• A shared understanding of the connection between EDI and campus democracy.
• A collection of critical insights and practical examples from Coimbra Group universities and other participants.
• Recommendations for follow-up initiatives, collaborative projects, or knowledge sharing at the Coimbra Group level. 

This session explores how universities can embody and express democratic values not only through governance, curricula, and research, but also through their cultural and public engagement initiatives. Taking as a starting point the University of Graz’s current exhibition, “Experiencing Democracy – Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Future.”, participants will reflect on how universities can make democracy visible, tangible, and participatory on campus and within the broader society. The discussion will consider how creative and interdisciplinary projects - such as exhibitions, public dialogues, and community events - can foster open debate, critical reflection, and inclusion, helping to cultivate universities as living spaces where democracy is experienced, questioned, and renewed. The conversation will connect the experience of the University of Graz with broader experiences across Coimbra Group universities from participants in the room. 

Preparatory Questions for Participants 

• An initiative, event, or space in your university that sought to engage the community around democratic values or civic participation, linking academic reflection with public participation?
• What challenges, tensions or resistances did emerge in that process?
• What new initiatives could your institution imagine implementing to make democracy more tangible in university life?
• How could your institution better connect cultural or educational efforts with structural democratic practices (e.g. decision-making, representation, transparency)? 

Expected Outcomes 

• A shared understanding of the potential and the limits of cultural and public engagement as a driver of democratic transformation on campus.
• A collection of critical insights and practical examples from Coimbra Group universities and other participants.
• Recommendations for follow-up initiatives and collaborative actions at the Coimbra Group level to further promote democratic engagement.