Gender equality, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI) are essential factors for improving academic quality, attracting and retaining talent, and strengthening the social impact of universities. This is one of the main conclusions of the episode “Gedi in Academia: Why gender equality, diversity and inclusion matter” that kicks off the second season of STARS EU Highlights, the alliance’s video podcast that provides a meeting space to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives on innovation and the challenges facing higher education in Europe. It can be watched at the STARS EU YouTube Channel and Spotify.

With this new season, the Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB) takes over from the University of La Laguna (ULL), which spearheaded the initiative in Tenerife, to ensure the continuity of this space for dialogue, open to both the STARS EU academic community and its partners. The goal is to foster knowledge exchange, showcase new ideas, and discuss the transformations required in higher education.

Recorded in Tenerife during the first season, this episode brings together Katerina Strati, expert in Philology and English for Specific Purposes and specializing in English language teaching (TEFL) from Aleksandër Moisiu University of Durrës, and Alicja Potrąk-Filipowska, expert in Applied Linguistics and Technical English Didactics, specializing in English language instruction within higher education and engineering contexts, from PK Kracow University of Technology (KUT). The host is Cecilia Becerra, from University of La Laguna.

Diversity to boost talent and research

During the conversation, both experts emphasize that gender equality, diversity, and inclusion must be addressed in a “transversal” manner—from access to university and participation in academic life to representation in decision-making bodies, well-being, and equal professional opportunities.

Both agree that these policies not only contribute to creating fairer and safer university environments but also enrich research and teaching. Diversity of experiences and perspectives fosters collaboration, helps identify blind spots, and opens up new avenues for innovation. Furthermore, it strengthens the universities’ capacity to attract students and faculty, as well as to cultivate a stronger sense of belonging among their members.

Shared strategy in STARS EU

The episode also addresses the value of cooperation among European universities to advance in this area. Within the framework of STARS EU, participating institutions have been able to compare their policies, share best practices, and identify potential lines of joint action regarding gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.

This episode of STARS EU Highlights continues this conversation in its second season, remaining true to its aim of connecting the university community and providing a space to enrich the higher education experience.

Our alliance launches STARS EU Highlights, a new series of video podcasts about the teaching-learning process from a current, comprehensive perspective shared by those who make it possible: teachers, students, expert staff and other key players in the field of higher education. The first episode is entitled ‘’” and is now available on Spotify and YouTube.

This first episode of STARS EU Highlights explores what it means today to be a European student within a university alliance such as STARS EU, in a context shaped by new policies moving towards a joint European degree and towards more flexible, inclusive and integrated academic mobility.

Presenter Emily Jane Lee Glober speaks with Elana Veldkamp, STARS EU Community Manager at Hanze University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands), and Davut Turk, a second-year International Business student at the same institution. Together, they offer complementary perspectives on the opportunities provided by flexible mobility through Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), student support services and intercultural learning.

The message is as clear as it is compelling: STARS EU enables students to pursue more accessible, inclusive and personalised transnational learning pathways. The opportunity to take courses during short stays in nine different countries, as well as to undertake placements and even short-term joint master’s programmes, not only prepares students to compete in a global labour market, but also helps to foster active European citizenship.

STARS EU Highlights has been promoted by the University of La Laguna and was was created as a space for conversation and shared learning, exploring innovative techniques and methodologies, as well as the challenges and improvements that are transforming higher education in Europe. Through interviews and informal dialogues, the series will focus on real experiences, recounted by those involved, as well as best practices and innovative approaches developed inside and outside the classrooms of the STARS EU alliance.

The first season will consist of seven episodes that will appear on the second Wednesday of each month until July 2026. Each episode will address a specific topic related to the educational system, international collaboration in this field, and the role of individuals as protagonists in the teaching-learning process.