Pooling Access to Academic and Scientific Resources in European University Alliances: What Impact and Under What Conditions?

The European University Alliances, a flagship initiative of the European Commission, are transforming higher education on a continental scale. Currently, 64 alliances are uniting 560 institutions of varying sizes, governance structures and legal statuses. These alliances serve as invaluable testing grounds for transformation, supporting the European vision of a unified degree programme. In this context, ensuring that all students in an alliance have equal access to academic and scientific literature is a key factor in their academic success, particularly for programmes leading to joint degrees. The CIVICA alliance, in collaboration with the French national consortium Couperin and the Ourouk consultancy firm (Paris), conducted an innovative study using its own situation as a case study. A literature review, an online survey of key stakeholders and in-depth interviews with experienced professionals in the field of international library cooperation were used to explore the issues and impact of shared access to academic and scientific literature for communities of readers on the scale of an alliance. The findings demonstrate that collective access to academic literature for all students enrolled on the same courses, regardless of their university of origin, is a crucial quality criterion for a joint degree. Furthermore, the study highlights the value of promoting open educational resources (OER) among lecturers and selecting open-access academic resources with a high level of quality. These two approaches are not only aligned with the European agenda for open science, but they also reinforce equity and inclusion, two significant societal impacts of partnerships between libraries. However, there are still legal, organisational and financial obstacles to overcome in order to achieve this vision. These challenges include disparities in alliance governance models, restrictions related to distinct national laws and the organisational and logistical complexities induced by the current status or lack of legal status of alliances. The study puts forward a series of progressive scenarios and tangible steps for action and consultation for all parties involved, from the local governance of partner universities to European decision-makers. It also emphasises the pivotal role that national consortia, such as Couperin, can play in facilitating this collaborative approach. The poster, which will present the key findings of this study, will aim to elucidate this intricate environment and encourage libraries, consortia and decision-makers to consider their partnerships from the perspective of student success and equity. This project exemplifies the transformative potential of libraries in fostering a more unified and sustainable European higher education landscape.