REHES II

On September 11 the second REHES conference was held. Due to the Covid-19-pandemic the organizers at the Observatory Science, Politics and Society at the University of Lausanne decided to conduct the conference virtually and in a somewhat tightened version. As last year scientists gave insights into projects that showed research on university and science systems from various theoretical and methodological perspectives (link to program).  Amongst other things projects regarding differentiation of different types of higher education institutions, the public perception of science, the digitization, and research evaluation were presented. It again manifested itself during discussion that a reciprocal exchange is informative, for single projects stimulating and generally facilitating for greater cooperation.

Besides exchanges on research projects the discussion of greater institutionalization of research on universities and science was likewise a topic this year. The position paper by the REHES working group was used as a baseline for discussion. The paper identified potential focal points and scenarios of institutionalization for a greater integration of the research community Program (PDF, 204 KB). The discussion focused predominantly on the exchange of opinions regarding institutionalization. From the three options “dynamic network”, “academic society”, and “Working group in academic society“ the first option was clearly preferred by the participants. A strong consensus arose during discussion that a rather weakly formalized network should be a starting point for a stronger institutionalization – like an academic society – sometime in the future. Therefore, a concrete proposal based on the scenario “dynamic network” from the REHES position paper is being developed during fall 2020, which will then be implemented during a future constitutive meeting. 

It emerged during discussion that the exchange format of the two REHES conferences are seen as a great place for dialogue and further integration of the community. It should therefore be ensured that the national REHES conferences are continued within the stronger institutionalization. A further point of view was shared that the future REHES community should be capable of commenting on ongoing affairs as well as societal and politically relevant questions. The current coronavirus situation and the interlinked change within the university and science system were named as an example. It was noted that interested participants would continue with this particular topic.