Shaping the Future of institutional change in HEIs: CATALISI Pathways and Policy Insights

On 11 November 2025, the CATALISI consortium invites you to take part in the project’s Final Conference, taking place in Amsterdam at Four Elements Hotel Amsterdam. This one-day event will bring together a diverse group of experts, from policymakers and researchers to university leaders and innovation stakeholders, to reflect on the progress made and to explore what lies ahead for systemic transformation in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). 

Over the past three years, the CATALISI project has supported HEIs across Europe in designing and implementing strategies for institutional transformation, through a set of targeted and innovative acceleration services. This Final Conference marks a key moment to share the results and lessons learned. 

Key highlights of the event include:  

  • Presentation of  CATALISI’s main results, the theory of change and acceleration framework for institutional transformation in HEIs. 
  • A dynamic workshop focused on transformations in research culture and research assessment, one of the intervention areas in which CATALISI Higher Education Institutions are pursuing institutional change. 
  • A “Dissemination & Networking Corner” providing opportunities for projects to exchange experiences and increase visibility through posters, roll-ups and relevant materials. 

Whether you are a practitioner, policymaker or researcher, this conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with transformative ideas and connect with peers working to shape the future of higher education in Europe. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Amsterdam! 

 

🗓️ Date: 11 November 2025 

🕘 Time: 08:30 – 16:00 CET 

📍 Location: Four Elements Hotel Amsterdam | Bert Haanstrakade 1074 1087 HJ Amsterdam The Netherlands

Start timeEnd TimeItem Presenter
8:309:00Participants registration
09:00SESSION I: Welcome and Opening remarks
9:0009:10Acceleration services joint forces in Europe

Maria Mecenero, Policy Officer, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

Rinske van den Berg, Project Officer, European Research Executive Agency (REA) 

09:1009:25Presentation of main results and acceleration framework for institutional transformation of HEIsLaura Mentini & Stefania Laneve, Project Managers and CATALISI Coordination team, APRE – Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea
09:2509:35Impact analysis and theory of change for HEIs transformationUniversity College Cork, UCC
09:3510:00Panel with sister projects: Key outcomes and synergies: Acceleration Services in support of the institutional transformation of Higher Education Institutions

Accelerate Future HEI project

aUPaEU project
10:00SESSION II: Interactive workshop
10:0011:00HEIs transformation in Research Culture & Research Assessment – PART 1

Amsterdam University Medical Centre, AUMC.

Featuring external experts and CATALISI partners (AUMC, UJI, UCC). Audience includes participants from NRIN Masterclass.

11:0011:15COFFEE BREAK
11:1513:00HEIs transformation in Research Culture & Research Assessment – PART 2

Amsterdam University Medical Centre, AUMC.

Featuring external experts and CATALISI partners (AUMC, UJI, UCC). Audience includes participants from NRIN Masterclass.

13:0014:00NETWORKING LUNCH
OngoingPOSTER SESSION, DISSEMINATION & NETWORKING CORNER
14:00SESSION III: Policy Validation workshop
14:0016:00Policy recommendations for HEIs’ institutional transformation in support of the European Research Area (ERA)

Presentation, reflection and validation of policy results with sister projects and key stakeholders.

APRE – Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea 

EY – Ernst & Young

 

16:00End of conference