Strengthening Europe's Higher Education Teaching Landscape

The European University Association (EUA), representing over 800 universities across 48 European countries, has strategically bolstered its Learning & Teaching Steering Committee with three new expert appointments effective March 1, 2026. This move underscores the growing emphasis on innovative pedagogical practices amid evolving challenges in higher education.

Chaired by EUA Vice-President Ivanka Popović from the University of Belgrade, the committee now includes Duncan Ross from the University of Glasgow (UK), Teresa Guasch from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Spain), and Elīna Gaile-Sarkane from Riga Technical University (Latvia). Their addition follows a rigorous call for applications within EUA's membership, ensuring diverse expertise to guide continental teaching strategies.

Understanding the Learning & Teaching Steering Committee's Mandate

The Learning & Teaching Steering Committee (LTSC) serves as the pivotal advisory body for EUA's extensive Learning & Teaching (L&T) portfolio. Its core responsibility involves shaping policies, overseeing initiatives, and fostering collaboration among university leaders, educators, and students to elevate teaching quality across Europe. With a two-year mandate for new members (2026-2028), the committee aligns efforts with broader EU goals like the Bologna Process and the European Education Area.

Key functions include directing thematic peer groups, organizing forums, and advancing the EUA L&T Agenda 2030—a roadmap launched in 2025 focusing on three pillars: learner-centered education, educator empowerment, and institutional transformation. This agenda addresses pressing needs such as integrating digital tools and promoting inclusive practices, vital as European universities grapple with demographic shifts and technological disruptions.

Profiles of the New Appointees: Duncan Ross

Duncan Ross, Professor and Dean of Learning and Teaching at the University of Glasgow's College of Social Sciences, brings a wealth of experience in staff development and educational impact. Ranked globally for its societal contributions, Glasgow under Ross has pioneered strategies for teacher engagement and responsive curricula. His recent presentations at EUA events highlight peer group insights on enhancing educator involvement, positioning him to champion practical staff training reforms.

Ross's background in economic history and graduate studies equips him to bridge research and pedagogy, fostering data-driven teaching innovations essential for Europe's competitive higher education sector.

Teresa Guasch: Pioneer in Online and Inclusive Learning

Teresa Guasch, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Learning and Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and Education at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), is a leading voice in digitally enhanced learning. UOC, a pioneer in open and distance education, has thrived under her leadership, emphasizing feedback mechanisms and online support systems. Her research on educational scaffolding in virtual environments aligns perfectly with EUA's push for resilient, accessible teaching models post-pandemic.

Guasch's appointment promises to accelerate hybrid learning adoption, crucial as EU statistics reveal only 56% of citizens possess basic digital skills in 2023, with higher education lagging in equitable digital integration.

Elīna Gaile-Sarkane: Driving Academic Excellence in the Baltics

Prof. Dr. oec. Elīna Gaile-Sarkane, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Riga Technical University (RTU), Latvia's premier technical institution, offers expertise in curriculum reform and internationalization. Previously Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management, she has spearheaded spring admission models and industry-aligned programs, addressing regional skill gaps.

Her focus on business engineering and management education will enrich LTSC discussions on vocational integration within universities, vital for Europe's labor market alignment amid 2026 demographic pressures.

Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash

Committee Composition and Continuity

The refreshed LTSC maintains balance with renewed members Philippe Emplit (Université libre de Bruxelles), Christiane Jost (RheinMain University of Applied Sciences), and Karin Axelsson (Linköping University), alongside ESU representative Nora Angelova. Departing experts Joanne Pagèze, Manuel João Costa, and Stephanie Marshall leave a legacy of crisis-responsive innovations.

• Geographic diversity: UK, Spain, Latvia, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Serbia.
• Expertise spectrum: Digital, staff dev, student voice, applied sciences.
• Student inclusion via ESU for holistic perspectives.

This composition ensures robust guidance for EUA's agenda, promoting cross-border best practices. For those seeking roles in such dynamic environments, explore higher ed jobs across Europe.

EUA's L&T Agenda 2030: Core Pillars and Priorities

Launched in May 2025, the EUA L&T Agenda 2030 outlines strategic priorities through three focus areas: advancing learner agency, professionalizing teaching roles, and enabling institutional agility. It responds to trends like AI integration and sustainability education, urging universities to invest in continuous staff development—a theme echoed at the recent 2026 Forum.

Key goals include embedding micro-credentials and fostering civic engagement, with new appointees poised to operationalize these amid EU's €150 billion education funding for 2021-2027.

Key Challenges in European Higher Education Teaching

European universities face multifaceted hurdles: digital divides persist with 44% lacking advanced skills, teacher workload surges by 31% in planning due to tech shifts, and staff shortages loom as demographics shrink student cohorts.

• Mental health: Rising student stress demands holistic support.
• AI ethics: Balancing tools like detectors amid false positives.
• Inclusivity: Addressing engagement in online formats.

The STAFF-DEV project highlights national variances in professional development, with Northern Europe leading but Southern lagging. New LTSC experts will tackle these via peer learning.

Insights from the 2026 European Learning & Teaching Forum

The recent Forum in February 2026, themed "Impactful staff development for educational transformation," drew leaders to discuss funding, peer groups, and competencies. Outcomes emphasized diverse staff roles for student success, previewing Thematic Peer Groups on wellbeing and digital enhancement.

Participants like those from Católica Lisboa reflected on faculty growth, aligning with new committee priorities. Check higher ed career advice for advancing in teaching roles.

Case Studies: Impacts Across Europe

At University of Glasgow, Ross's initiatives have boosted impact rankings, integrating research into teaching for real-world relevance. UOC under Guasch exemplifies scalable online models, serving thousands remotely with personalized feedback. RTU's Gaile-Sarkane has modernized admissions, increasing flexibility for working students.

Broader examples: Linköping's Axelsson advances sustainable education; ULB's Emplit focuses on multilingualism. These cases illustrate LTSC's potential to scale successes continent-wide.

Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Actionable Insights

With refreshed leadership, expect accelerated Agenda 2030 implementation, including AI ethics guidelines and funding advocacy. Universities should prioritize staff training—e.g., step-by-step: assess needs, partner with EUA peers, pilot programs, evaluate via metrics.

For educators eyeing leadership, platforms like university jobs in Europe and rate my professor offer visibility. The committee's work promises a transformative era for European teaching excellence.

Read the full Agenda 2030 for deeper insights.