How Do University Alliances Promote and Engage with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: A Comparative Analysis of Four Alliances

The study focuses on pertinent questions about the positioning of European University alliances vis-à-vis equity, diversity, and inclusion, the challenges that are faced, and strategies put in place to guarantee an inclusive environment for students, academic staff, and administrators. This qualitative research tries to explain how four alliances, namely ENHANCE, CHARM-EU, FORTHEM, and YUFE, are pursuing EDI amidst the tension between excellence and inclusion against a myriad of challenges. The theoretical framework on which this thesis is based consists of EDI definitions, intersectionality, and an approach to organizational behavior. This thesis describes the current state of EDI in higher education regarding major setbacks and progresses. Special attention is drawn to the motivations that have committed the alliances to EDI, whether these are driven by European Union funding programmes or personal investment. Critical attention has been given to funding limitations, cultural barriers, and the complexity of aligning priorities within the institutions. Through a comparative analysis, the thesis tries to offer practical insight into how European university alliances can take forward an enhanced EDI strategy and provide meaningful contributions toward an inclusive European Higher Education Area. This study lays a foundational contribution to the academic discourse on EDI in transnational higher education with ways open for further research and policy development in this emerging field.”