As part of the first phase of the EMBINT project activities, we have now successfully implemented Focus Groups at all six partner universities of the EMBINT project consortium. The Focus Groups are Workshops addressing staff from different sections of the institutions, representing leadership, administration, support services, as well as Alumni from internationalisation activities like Erasmus+ Staff Mobility. All Focus Groups were organized on-site as physical meetings, to support a personal involvement and offer an open space for discussions.
In the workshops, which took place between April and August 2026, the participants were invited to discuss their different experiences at their institutions concerning access to international activities, their expectations, as well as barriers they encountered. All participants had the opportunity to agree on core objectives and recommendations for the institutions to address the Needs and challenges identified in the discussions.
In total, we were happy to involve more than 50 participants from the six Higher Education Institutions. Staff participating in the Focus Groups represented a multitude of perspectives, including Leadership, Human Resources, Equal Opportunities Unit, Financial Department, International Office, Academic Affairs & Quality Assurance, Family Service, Language Center, Faculty.
The Focus Groups helped the consortium to gain a diversity of perspectives and experience, and offered a practice-based understanding of our leading questions concerning the internationalisation of under-internationalised staff. We thank all the colleagues who participated in the workshops and supported our project.
The results of the Focus Groups will feed into the development of a Toolkit for Higher Education Institutions, which will be published at the end of October 2026, so stay tuned!
Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay