24 in 2024: ETH Zurich joins LERU

17.11.2023

The League of European Research Universities (LERU) expands to 24 members. As of 1 January 2024, ETH Zurich, a globally leading research university in Switzerland, will join the League. This decision was made by the LERU Rectors during the autumn meeting of the Rectors’ Assembly in Dublin.

LERU was founded in 2002 as an association of 12 research-intensive universities with common viewpoints on higher education and research. Throughout the years, membership expanded three times. The last enlargement took place in 2017 with the University of Copenhagen and Trinity College Dublin, bringing the total membership to 23. The current LERU universities are united in the strong belief that research at the frontiers of knowledge is essential for innovation, economic development, and the progress of society.

Today, LERU acts as a powerful advocate for Europe’s research-intensive universities, speaking up on many issues related to European research, innovation and education policies. Through their membership, the LERU members benefit from mutual learning and the exchange of good practices within the network, and from opportunities to influence national agendas with relevant European clout and backing.

LERU membership, which is by invitation only, follows an evaluation against a broad set of quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as research volume, impact and funding, size and disciplinary breadth, and peer-recognised academic excellence. With ETH Zurich accepting the invitation, LERU brings again a strong research university on board that ticks all the criteria.

Welcoming the news, Dr Linda Doyle, LERU Chair and Provost of Trinity College Dublin said:

“I am delighted that the leading research university ETH Zurich is joining the LERU network. LERU plays a really important role in standing up for research, innovation and education across Europe and beyond. With ETH Zurich, we will be even stronger in realising our collective ambitions. I look forward to working with them”.

ETH Zurich was founded in 1855 as a centre of innovation and knowledge. The university values freedom and individual responsibility, entrepreneurial spirit and open-mindedness. Situated in the heart of Europe, with connections all over the world, ETH Zurich is pioneering effective solutions to current and future global challenges.

Prof. Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zurich:

“We are delighted to join the LERU community. Together with like-minded universities, ETH Zurich is keen on serving society and strengthening the European science landscape. LERU reflects shared values and acts as an important voice for research and education in Europe.”

Learn more about ETH Zurich

The LERU universities as of 1 January 2024: University of Amsterdam, Universitat de Barcelona, University of Cambridge, University of Copenhagen, Trinity College Dublin, University of Edinburgh, University of Freiburg, Université de Genève, Universität Heidelberg, University of Helsinki, Universiteit Leiden, KU Leuven, Imperial College London, University College London, Lund University, University of Milan, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, University of Oxford, Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay, University of Strasbourg, Utrecht University, ETH Zurich, and University of Zurich.

Picture: © ETH Zurich / Gian Marco Castelberg

Dr Linda Doyle shares some welcoming words to everyone at ETH Zurich: