University of Helsinki 2–5 June 2026
The UNA Europa Staff Week 2026 – “Universities as Transformative Learning Communities for All” will take place from 2 to 5 June 2026 and will be hosted by the University of Helsinki.
The initiative is organised within the framework of the Una Europa Alliance and is addressed to professional staff, academic staff, students and doctoral researchers from Una Europa partner universities interested in exploring universities as inclusive, holistic and transformative learning communities.
Further information on the Staff Week, including the themes and the preliminary programme, is available on the official Una Europa webpage
Universities are complex, multidisciplinary environments where education, research and professional practice continuously interact. Teaching, learning and community building take place not only in formal educational settings, but also through non-formal and collaborative activities involving students, academic staff and professional services staff.
This Staff Week offers participants the opportunity to reflect on these dynamics and to intentionally develop practices that foster inclusive and holistic learning communities. Through workshops and peer-learning activities, participants will explore how formal and non-formal learning opportunities can be integrated across different professional contexts within the university.
The Staff Week programme consists of interactive workshops based on participatory and peer-learning methods. Participants will actively contribute to discussions, share experiences and use their own expertise to both teach and learn from one another, shaping the content and outcomes of the sessions.
In addition to the academic programme, the Staff Week will include networking opportunities and cultural activities, allowing participants to experience Helsinki, Finnish culture and the unique atmosphere of the “City of White Nights”.
The Staff Week aims to reflect the diversity of university communities and therefore welcomes participants from different professional and academic backgrounds.
In particular, the initiative is addressed to:
professional services staff involved in pedagogy, curriculum development, educational services, student engagement, research support, wellbeing, career and counselling services;
academic staff with regular teaching responsibilities;
students and doctoral researchers interested in exploring student–staff collaboration, non-formal learning and innovative ways of engaging in university communities.
The working language of the Staff Week is English; a minimum B2 level is required.
Applications must be submitted by 23 February 2026 through the online application form available on the Una Europa website.
The selection process is entirely managed by the organising institution, the University of Helsinki.
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection by 23 March 2026.
Successful candidates will receive a confirmation email with further practical information.
UNIBO professional staff interested in applying for the UNA Europa Staff Week 2026 are required to inform their office supervisor (Responsabile di struttura) and obtain his/her approval before submitting the application.
Please note that:
Travel expenses for UNIBO selected participants will be covered by the UNA Europa Office, in accordance with the internal regulations of Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna (Regolamento missioni di Ateneo).
Participation in the UNA Europa Staff Week 2026 is free of charge.
Travel and subsistence costs may be reimbursed through institutional Una.Futura funds or other available mobility schemes (e.g. Erasmus+ STT), according to the rules of the participant’s home institution.
For students and doctoral researchers, funding will be provided by the University of Helsinki.
Participants are encouraged to contact their local Una Europa representatives for further details.