EWORA 2026 Conference, 10 June 2026

Women’s Leadership in Academia in Times of Rising Geopolitical Tensions

Program

Conference

Brussels, 10 June 2026

The European Women Rectors Association (EWORA) 2026 Conference brings together university leaders, policy-makers, and international stakeholders from across Europe. Set against a context of increasing geopolitical complexity, the conference explores the evolving role of academic leadership, with a particular focus on values-based leadership, academic freedom, and institutional resilience.

The programme below outlines the key sessions and speakers of the conference.

 

Date: 10 June 2026   |   Location: Brussels, Belgium (Palace of the Academies)

 

Time Session
08:30 – 09:30 Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:30 – 10:30 Opening Session
Kerstin Tham — President, European Women Rectors Association (EWORA)
Ekaterina Zaharieva — Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, European Commission (video message)
Gülsün Sağlamer — Founding Honorary President, EWORA
10:30 – 11:00 Keynote Session
Chair: Pamela Gillies — Former Vice-Chancellor, Glasgow Caledonian University
Speaker: Carlien Scheele — Director, European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:30 Plenary Panel 1
Universities at the Crossroads: Challenges for Higher Education Leaders
Chair: Isabel Capeloa Gil — Rector, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Speakers:
Fadime Üney Yüksektepe — Rector, Istanbul Kültür University
Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir — Rector, University of Iceland
Ulrike Beisiegel — Former President, University of Göttingen
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:00 Keynote Session II
Chair: Kerstin Tham — President, EWORA
Speaker: Annick Castiaux — Rector, University of Namur
14:00 – 15:15 Plenary Panel 2
Values-Based Leadership and Global Responsibility
Chair: Inga Žalėnienė — Rector, Mykolas Romeris University
Speakers:
Malin Ideland — Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Doctoral Education, Malmö University
Vanessa Castejon — Board Member, AFDESRI
Lucyna Woźniak — Vice-Rector for International Relations, Medical University of Lodz
15:15 – 15:45 Coffee Break
15:45 – 16:15 Keynote Session III
Chair: Birgit Riegraf — Former President, Paderborn University
Speaker: Oliver Günther — President, University of Potsdam
16:15 – 17:30 Plenary Panel 3
Academic Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights
Chair: Sondan Durukanoğlu Feyiz — Former Rector, Kadir Has University
Speakers:
Hanne Leth Andersen — Former Rector, Roskilde University
Katarína Slobodová Nováková — Rector, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava
Eva Åkesson — Former Vice-Chancellor, Uppsala University
17:30 – 18:30 Closing Session
From Reflection to Action: Strengthening Women’s Leadership for Europe’s Future
Chair: Kerstin Tham — President, EWORA
Speakers:
Sondan Durukanoğlu Feyiz — Vice President, EWORA
Birgit Riegraf — Former President, Paderborn University
Inga Žalėnienė — Rector, Mykolas Romeris University
Isabel Capeloa Gil — Rector, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Lucyna Woźniak — Vice-Rector, Medical University of Lodz
Pamela Gillies — Former Vice-Chancellor, Glasgow Caledonian University
18:30 Cocktail Reception
The conference will conclude with a cocktail reception, offering participants an opportunity for informal exchange, networking, and continued dialogue.