Policy development and lobbying are primarily done against the EU Commission and its sub-bodies. LERU highlights the research-intensive universities’ interests to EU politicians and others in power at the EU level.

As a lobbying organisation and representatives of European research universities, LERU is successful. LERU membership is one of the cornerstones of the university's strategy for international contacts and collaborations.

See all LERU member universities

LERU Rectors' Assembly

The rectors of the member universities meet twice a year in the Rectors' Assembly, which is LERU's highest decision-making body. Lund University is represented by Vice-Chancellor Erik Renström.

LERU papers

LERU papers form the most important basis for LERU's lobbying work. These LERU publications are policies, positions and recommendations, for example concerning research funding, research infrastructure and academic career paths that Lund University stands behind. LERU papers are also presented as policies and recommendations for the own member universities and other research universities in Europe. LERU papers are approved for publication by the rectors at the LERU Rectors' Assembly.

Link to LERU publications

LERU Groups

LERU organises its activities mainly in approximately 25 more or less permanent working groups, which consist of representatives from the member universities. A LERU group is established with the aim of working with LERU policy within a specific subject area or with a specific issue. LERU Policy Groups and LERU Network Groups are permanent, while LERU Thematic Groups and LERU Ad-hoc / Expert Groups are established on a more temporary basis. Lund University participates in the work in the majority of the groups.

Link to more information about the LERU Groups on the LERU website

LERU Policy Groups

LERU Policy Groups are responsible for policy development in issues concerning research and higher education. LERU organises the following Policy Groups: 

1. LERU Careers of researchers & HR Policy Group
2. LERU Digital Education Group
3. LERU Equality, diversity and inclusion Policy Group
4. LERU Doctoral Studies Policy Group
5. LERU Enterprise and Innovation Policy Group
6. LERU European Research Project Managers Policy Group
7. LERU Information & Open Access Policy Group
8. LERU Learning & Teaching Policy Group
9. LERU Research Policy Group
10. LERU Research Integrity Group

LERU Thematic Groups

LERU Thematic Groups provide documentation on a current and relevant issue to be presented to the EU. All groups are to be approved by the vice-chancellors. Current LERU Thematic Groups are:

1. LERU Law Thematic Group
2. LERU Crime & Social Control Thematic Group
3. LERU Ethics Thematic Group
4. LERU Theology & Religious Studies Thematic Group
5. LERU Philantrophy Thematic Group
6. LERU Alumni Thematic Group
7. LERU Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes Group

LERU Network Groups

1. LERU Directors of Communication Group
2. LERU Senior Officers’ Network

LERU Ad Hoc Groups

LERU has a number of Ad Hoc Groups, which can be created when an important issue does not fit into one of the existing groups.

Link to more information on current Ad Hoc Groups

LERU Office

LERU's operations are coordinated and communicated from LERU's office situated in Leuven, Belgium, "LERU Office".

Contact person for LERU at each LERU university

At each LERU university there is a contact person who coordinates the LERU work, so-called "LERU Senior Officer". At Lund University, Richard Stenelo is the contact person for LERU.

Read more about League of European Research Universities LERU

Read more about LERU members