OPEN also includes a strong career development component, geared primarily towards the network’s early career scholars (ECS). The network plan of activities includes three training schools for postgraduates and early career scholars, short-term scientific missions to provide scholars with the opportunity to pursue their projects with the insights and guidance of experts in their fields, an annual "peer-to-peer" colloquium for ECSs to collaborate and gain feedback on their work, and the designation of a conference fund to support the dissemination of research from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC).
Reina Zenelaj Shehi is the vice-chair of the OPEN COST Action and a Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at Epoka University in Tirana, Albania. In this video, she talks about the training school held in Tirana in July 2025 at Epoka University, and how it will equip scholars with tools to strengthen the resilience of their academic communities.
Academics in Europe: Challenges of Self-Censorship, Academic Security, and Wellbeing - Tirana, 26–28 June 2025
As Europe navigates a time of deep uncertainty, the academic landscape is increasingly shaped by geopolitical shifts, nationalistic pressures, and political polarization. In this context, the OPEN COST Action brought together early-career and senior researchers in Tirana to explore how these dynamics are influencing academic freedom, research openness, and the wellbeing of scholars across Europe.
The Training School, held from 26 to 28 June 2025, focused on the theme "Academics in Europe: Challenges of Self-Censorship, Academic Security, and Wellbeing." Participants discussed how the rise of new nationalisms is reshaping the European higher education and research space—challenging international cooperation, undermining open science, and fostering self-censorship.
Two competing narratives frame the current moment: one optimistic, suggesting that despite the ongoing crisis, European integration remains resilient; and one more pessimistic, warning that the European Union, as we know it, may not survive the mounting internal and external pressures.
These broader political trends are already manifesting in the academic world through:
Why This Topic Matters
The Tirana Training School was an important step in strengthening international dialogue and research collaboration on these critical issues. The knowledge shared and relationships built will support ongoing efforts to protect the openness and integrity of academia in Europe and beyond.