Ottawa Declaration signed by seven leading research university associations to intensify engagement

The Global Research-Intensive Universities Network, made up of the Association of American Universities, German U15, the Group of Eight Australia, Leru, Research University 11 (Japan), the Russell Group, and U15 Canada, adopts the Ottawa Declaration, on 02/05/2025, committing to intensify their engagement based on academic freedom and institutional autonomy, action for the public good, integrity, security and the responsible conduct of research, and transparency.

"Amid shifting geopolitics and growing international uncertainty, the global research community must double down on its collaborative approach, which accelerates knowledge sharing and creates greater opportunities for innovation to benefit all societies. In this context, it is urgent that leading research universities leverage their international relationships to increase collaboration for collective societal benefit", states the declaration.

The seven associations pledge to deepen engagement in alignment with "the defining characteristics of leading research universities", in particular academic freedom and institutional…