Since the launch of Circle U., the Academic Chair Programme has been the backbone of our alliance's ecosystem, ensuring strong, sustainable and concrete connections between academics, researchers, students and associated and global partners. The 2024 call is now open and UCLouvain will appoint 2 new chairs. The deadline for submitting applications at UCLouvain is Thursday the 6th of June 2024, midnight.
Role and missions of the chairs
The academic chairs are at the heart of our transformational cooperation process. They tie our nine universities together, develop joint initiatives in line with project goals, co-create new opportunities for students, researchers, academics, staff and partners, and connect Circle U. to society in innovative and meaningful ways.
The academic chairs dedicate 20% of their working time to the development of activities and are located at their home university. But they are expected to spend time at other Circle U. partner universities and to attend meetings to facilitate collaboration, communication and dissemination.
The main role and missions of the academic chairs are to:
- Develop and lead challenge-based as well as trans- and inter-disciplinary teaching, learning and research initiatives;
- Link education and research within and across disciplines;
- Engage students to take an active role in knowledge creation and socially engaged research and innovation;
- Stimulate new models of academic and research collaboration and partnership, and share them across the alliance;
- Contribute to the realisation of the EU-funded projects and the corresponding work programme;
- Represent and champion Circle U. internally, nationally and internationally as well as with external stakeholders.
Profiles of Academic Chairs
Beyond the strong academic and scientific profile, expertise and experience in fields directly related to the platform the candidate is applying, we are looking for people who can bring exciting and innovative ideas, an interdisciplinary profile, and a strong commitment to linking education and research to foster transformative impacts on society. Further, the academic chairs are expected to have a strong team spirit.
The academic chairs are also expected to have excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written. Proficiency in other European languages used by the Circle U. partners will be an advantage.
Each academic chair works primarily within one platform or hub alongside chairs from other universities.
For the 2024 call, UCLouvain will appoint 2 new chairs linked to the following Circle U. platform and knowledge hub:
(1) The Circle U. Open Campus
The Open Campus serves multiple roles within the Circle U. ecosystem. It is a web-based entry point offering students access to Circle U.’s educational activities, providing detailed information on Circle U.’s flagship learning opportunities. In the future, it will also represent a gateway for educators interested in participating in Circle U. initiatives, simplifying and facilitating the development of bottom-up initiatives. Finally, it will serve as a unified coordinating mechanism that interconnects diverse platforms, boosting cooperation and engagement across the various thematic sectors of the hubs. This digital, integrated learning platform is at the heart of Circle U., linking together the various other platforms, including services to support mobility and facilitate administrative and technical implementation. The Open Campus is led by a dean and coordinated by Universitetet i Oslo.
UCLouvain will appoint one chair for the Open Campus.
In the Open Campus, appointed chairs are expected to actively contribute to initiate and design the profile of the Open Campus and its diverse educational and dissemination offers. As such, the chairs promote student participation in Circle U. activities, propose and facilitate the adoption of standards for Circle U.-labeled educational formats, and provide guidance to educators on implementing these formats. Academic chairs associated with the Open Campus are expected to work in close partnership with the appointed Dean of the Open Campus, and to collectively and individually collaborate with the academic chairs affiliated with the other platforms to develop the Open Campus into a coherent and distinct platform for Circle U. and its partners. In other words, the role of the appointed chairs is to initiate, orchestrate, and execute collaborative activities across knowledge hubs and platforms. They are also expected to act as content curators for the Open Campus website. All areas of expertise are welcome.
(2) The Circle U. Artificial Intelligence Hub
Launched in the pilot phase, the Knowledge Hubs are shared physical and virtual spaces where academics, researchers, students, staff and partners are developing research-based, trans- and interdisciplinary educational and research activities to tackle big societal challenges linked to our four priority themes: climate, democracy, global health and artificial intelligence. The Knowledge Hub “Artificial Intelligence” will be launched in 2024-2025. It will be led by an academic director and coordinated by one of our partner universities (to be announced in June). The scope and priorities of the AI hub will be shaped through a bottom-up process, led by the Academic Director, fostering co-creation and emphasizing the integration of generative artificial intelligence across education, research, outreach, and administration. Recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of AI implementation, particular attention will be given to ethical concerns, academic freedom, copyright, and intellectual property questions.
UCLouvain will appoint one chair for the Hub “Artificial Intelligence”.
In the hub “Artificial Intelligence”, appointed chairs are expected to actively contribute to the hub's profile design while ensuring strong university involvement across faculties and research institutes. Key aspects to consider would include:
- The use of generative AI tools in education – opportunities and challenges
- AI in research – opportunities and challenges
- The use of generative AI tools in university administration and libraries.
- The use of generative AI tools to address societal challenges in partnership with external partners
Beyond a strong academic and scientific profile within AI, Academic Chairs are expected to bring forth innovative ideas and a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, aiming to catalyze transformative impacts within Circle U. and its partner institutions. Together with the Academic Director, the knowledge hub will be in capacity to serve as a kind of steering committee orchestrating a broad range of AI activities within Circle U. and its partner institutions.
Terms for UCLouvain chairs
The academic chairs have a two-year term, with the potential for a further extension of up to two years.
Eligibility
This call is specifically aimed at UCLouvain academic staff member with a permanent full-time contract. Please note that probationary academic staff members (personnel académique en période probatoire) and permanent researcher of the FNRS (mandataires permanents du FNRS) are not eligible for this specific call.
Expected commitments
- Be available for 20% of work time during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.
- Provide a representative role for UCLouvain in Circle U. platforms and activities (in relay with relevant actors within the university).
Selection criteria
- Adequacy of the letter of motivation with the Circle U. call and alignment with the description of the Circle U. platform the chair is connected to.
- Innovative and federative aspect of the intended participation. Preference will be given to candidates who carry an institutional vision and propose intersectoral and/or collective activities (i.e., activities that involve other academic and scientific staff as well as students)
Support given to Chairs
- UCLouvain will fund 30 hours of substitute teaching (30 h APH) during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.
- Travel costs will be covered (travel expenses and subsistence).
- The Circle U. consortium has foreseen operating costs for the platforms. The Chairs will thus be able to benefit from logistical support, as well as punctual financial support for the organization of activities in line with the roadmap of each Circle U. platform.
Recruitment process and timescale
Applications should include:
- The completed application including, the motivation statement (no more than one A4 page)
- The statements of endorsement of the Dean and President of Institute
- A CV
Applications should be sent to infocircleu@uclouvain.be by Thursday 6th of June midnight at the latest.
An online information and Q&A session about this call will be organized on May 14th from 1:00 pm to 2:00pm. Prior registration is requested via the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/6knHjeUBHV
For any additional information, do not hesitate to contact: infocircleu@uclouvain.be