INITIATIVES

University and Research
Leadership Forum

What will the universities of the tomorrow look like?

The University & Research Leadership Forum (URLF) is a global, collaborative platform that brings together thought leaders to shape the future of higher education and empower universities to act as engines of economic growth in innovation economies.

Engage with the URLF and help shape the conversation.

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In today's complex world, universities play a central role in:

Driving regional growth through jobs, investment, and innovation clusters

Nurturing entrepreneurship by empowering students, researchers, and communities

Translating knowledge into impact that addresses societal challenges

By joining the URLF, you will:

Gain global visibility for your initiatives and leadership

Learn cross-border strategies to position your university as catalysts of innovation

Adopt best practices to enhance the impact of your university

Build cross-sector partnerships with academia, industry, and government

Join the URLF

Leadership in Place-Making Innovation

Discover how universities serve as catalysts for the creation of vibrant innovation ecosystems involving multistakeholder engagement and collaboration, the development of a workforce for the industries of the future, and high-impact activities.

Learn more about place-making

URLF's Journey

2016

Placing universities at the heart of innovation

Launched in London, UK with leaders from 20 countries.

2017

Shaping the research agenda

Two task forces established to explore universities’ role in driving innovation and transformative technologies.

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2018

Groundbreaking insights

Task forces deliver two major reports: Leveraging Extreme Innovation and Optimizing Innovation Alliances.

2019

Expanding global dialogue

Workshops in Brazil, Russia, Qatar, the U.S., and Kazakhstan share task force findings.
Introduction of the University 4.0 concept: a tech-enabled, impact-oriented institution.

2020

Accelerated transformation

Covid-19 pandemic forces universities into rapid digital and structural transformation.

2021

Shaping the universities of the future

Three discussion papers, developed with university members, explore the future of higher education and the role of emerging technologies.

2022

A new vision

Launch of Shift: Universities in Transformation — an in-depth exploration of how Covid-19 reshaped higher education worldwide.

2024

Universities as socioeconomic engines

Two papers, one on place-making innovation and another on the need to reform university ranking systems to better measure impact - continue the discussion on the future of higher education and its role in socioeconomic development.
Study trips start in November 2024 with a visit to Aston University and the Birmingham Innovation Precinct (BIP).The BIP Case Study is launched.
We continue our study trips in Lisbon (July 2025), including Universidade Católica Portuguesa, the Unicorn Factory and more.
Additional trips are planned for 2026 to San Diego, Australia and New Zealand.

URLF Form

Get Involved

To be included in advancing place-based innovation and enhancing universities' economic influence and impact, fill out the form below. A leader from the GFCC will assist you in setting up a call or send a formal invitation letter.