Avoiding Peripheralisation: Swiss and British HEIs Participation in the European Universities Initiative

While both the UK and Switzerland have traditionally maintained a strong presence in the European higher education landscape, their exclusion from EU funding programs (Horizon and Erasmus+) have raised concerns about their future peripheralisation in the European higher education space. While the UK and more recently Switzerland have now rejoined Horizon Europe programme as an associated country, both remain excluded from Erasmus+. Consequently, HEIs in both countries are also formally excluded from becoming full members of the European Universities initiative (EUI). Since 2022, however, they can join the EUI alliances as associate members, with Swiss HEIs participation funded by the national government, and British HEIs funding their own participation. This poses challenges for the Swiss and British institutions, yet their response to the successive calls for applications has been notable. As of early 2025, twelve HEIs, that is, more than 50% of all Swiss universities and universities of applied sciences, have joined the initiative, with further two HEIs shortly joining as partial members. In the UK, 10 HEIs are currently members. This paper explores the complex motivations driving Swiss and British HEIs participation in the EUI. We examine their decision-making processes in applying for a place in the EUI, selecting alliances to join and the approaches to collaboration within the alliances. We scrutinise the challenges they have faced due to their associate member status. Finally, we explore the anticipated potential short- and long-term benefits of participation. Our study draws on a multifaceted theoretical framework encompassing strategic partnerships and organisational behaviour literature. Empirically, we rely on thematic analysis of data from structured written responses, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in both countries, and an analysis of official university statements. Preliminary findings suggest that multiple rationales drive participation. Findings indicate that the symbolic significance of participation in European spaces and being recognised as 'European universities’ has been a key motivation for their involvement in the initiative. Beyond symbolic value, strategic considerations have been of fundamental importance - Swiss and British HEIs perceive participation in the EUI as an opportunity to protect their global reputation and ensure the best prospects for their students and the development of academic personnel. Maintaining the countries' positions as leaders of innovation and an opportunity to play a role in shaping the future of the higher education sector have also been stressed as vitally important. The associate membership does appear to cause multiple challenges, not least those related to resource allocation. Despite these, Swiss and British HEIs appear, by and large, to be committed to a long-term strategic partnership with their European partners. These preliminary results highlight the agency of Swiss and British HEIs in negotiating Europeanisation and averting peripherality - actively shaping their position within the European HE landscape by leveraging resources and (pre-existing) relationships with European partners to overcome challenges created by exclusion from the European funding programmes.