UCL President elected to the board of LERU

UCL President & Provost, Professor Michael Arthur, has been appointed as a member of the board of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) alongside Professor Karen Maex from the University of Amsterdam.

LERU is a prominent advocate for the promotion of basic research at European research universities and the significant benefits that frontier research plays in the innovation process and progress of society.

It aims to further politicians’, policy makers’ and opinion leaders’ understanding of the important role and activities of research-intensive universities.

In his new role, Professor Arthur will work together with Professor Maex and the new LERU Chair, Professor Jean Chambaz (Sorbonne University), to oversee the League’s activities and set out its policies and strategies for the coming years.

Both Professor Arthur and Professor Maex were selected because they are seasoned academics with significant experience in research, innovation and education policies.

They succeed Professor Alice Gast (Imperial College London) and Professor Jukka Kola (University of Helsinki), both of whom have reached the end of their term in the board.

“I’m pleased to have been selected for the board and look forward to playing a more active role in this outstanding network of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities, particularly at such a pivotal point in the UK and EU relationship,” said Professor Arthur.

“Universities transform the lives of individuals and shape society in many ways, playing a vital part of a resilient economy. Since it was founded in 2002, LERU has successfully advocated for universities across Europe and it is a privilege to help shape how this is done effectively in the face of the uncertainties of Brexit. I very much look forward to joining the board and continuing the fantastic work LERU does championing research, education and innovation across Europe.”  

The announcement was made when the LERU Rectors met for the 34th Rectors’ Assembly at the University of Edinburgh on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 May 2018. Keynote speakers included Professor Christine Ortiz (Station 1 and Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Robert-Jan Smits (EPSC, European Commission, and former Director-General of DG Research and Innovation), and Michael Russell, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s place in Europe.

This release was first published 21 May by University College London.