Celebrating Five Years of EUniWell: Science, society, and the future of well-being
10/11/2025 | by Lara Marie Andres
EUniWell marked its fifth anniversary in Cologne with a two-day conference and FestiWell. The Alliance celebrated scientific collaboration in research, education, and innovation, as well as the leading researchers on the science, ethics, and practice of well-being.
On 22 - 23 October, more than 200 participants came together to celebrate EUniWell’s fifth anniversary at the University of Cologne. Stakeholders reflected on five years of successful collaboration and elaborated on why well-being matters across all academic fields and society at large, and what research, education, and civic engagement can do to build a more sustainable and equitable future for European well-being.
A celebration of science and collaboration
The opening day of the conference brought together European researchers, students, and staff members from EUniWell’s 12 member universities to discuss how the concept of well-being connects disciplines, communities, and policy fields.
Welcoming words from Professor Joybrato Mukherjee, Rector of the University of Cologne and President of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and City of Cologne Mayor Dr. Ralf Heinen highlighted how EUniWell has evolved into a European University Alliance that integrates well-being from a science-based perspective across all disciplines and areas of academic and community life.
Dr. Susanne Conze, Head of Unit for Higher Education at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, underlined the central role of science and education in addressing societal challenges: “Alliances bring the diversity we need to face the challenges ahead. They connect different perspectives, opportunities for study and research, modes of cooperation, and networks within their unique environments. This diversity is one of their key strengths.”
Professor Beatrix Busse, Chief Development Officer for EUniWell, highlighted in her welcome address the Alliance’s remarkable progress from an initial idea to a recognised European University. She underlined the power of collaboration and the shared commitment to advancing well-being through education, research, and engagement: “EUniWell is a living example of how vision becomes reality. We started with an idea, and today we stand as a European University for Well-Being, ready for the next chapter – EUniWell 2030.”
From a policy perspective, Laurence Farreng, Member of the European Parliament, highlighted the importance of the initiative and its long-term vision: “EUniWell’s focus on well-being is both unique and forward-looking – because in the end, this is what we are all working for: the well-being of citizens, in harmony with nature and our surroundings.” Her message reaffirmed the strong political support for the European Universities Initiative and emphasised the need for sustainable structures and diversity among the alliances.
The science of happiness
Professor Lara Aknin gave the opening keynote on “Happiness (research) is not zero sum.” A distinguished social psychologist from Simon Fraser University and co-editor of the World Happiness Report, Professor Aknin presented results from over a decade of research on the science of happiness. She showed that prosocial behaviour – actions that benefit others – consistently increases individual and collective happiness and promotes collective well-being.
Professor Aknin’s lecture provided scientific evidence that happiness and well-being are not achieved at the expense of others, but rather through cooperation, empathy, and shared purpose: “Across cultures, ages, and contexts, the findings are clear: happiness grows when we give, connect, and cooperate. Other people are not obstacles to our happiness – they are the source of it.” Her insights connect directly to EUniWell’s mission to use scientific collaboration for societal impact. They demonstrate how psychology and social sciences can inform public policy, institutional design, and higher education practices.
Linking research to impact
Building on this, Professor Roger Crisp, Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Oxford, opened the inaugural panel discussion “Why Well-being matters – in research, education, and innovation.” Professor Crisp explored the ethical dimensions of well-being, arguing that universities have a moral responsibility to translate research into tangible benefits for society. He noted: “The philosophical study of well-being is not merely academic – it is deeply practical. It can guide policymakers, educators, and researchers in building systems that truly serve people.”
Moderated by EUniWell Chief Development Officer Professor Beatrix Busse, the discussion also included contributions from the co-panelists Dr. Susanne Conze (European Commission), Professor Alessandra Petrucci (University of Florence), Professor Jean-François Huchet (Inalco), and Professor M. Cristina Polidori (University of Cologne). It demonstrated how the concept of well-being provides a common ground for collaboration across all disciplines and university missions – from medicine and philosophy to education and innovation.
Throughout the afternoon, four interactive workshops addressed different themes in research and education: value-driven AI, planetary well-being, the future of teacher education, and the development of well-being indicators for sustainable societies. Each session reflected EUniWell’s guiding principle by showing how research excellence is connected to social relevance and collective benefit.
FestiWell 2025
The second day of the event transformed the University of Cologne campus into a lively meeting place for academic and civic communities. At FestiWell 2025, students, researchers, and members of staff, as well as local initiatives came together to explore well-being in practice – through science-driven workshops, creative spaces, and an Open Science Café. The programme featured 13 diverse workshops in total, covering topics from academic life and mental health to sustainability and inclusion, including sessions such as the “PhD Survival Lab”, a workshop on “Therapeutic Gardens: a Bridge Between Campus and Community”, and on “Discrimination and Well-being: the Impact of Racism in the University Context.” In addition, the EUniWell students led the FestiWell Basecamp, creating an open space for creativity, exchange, and reflection on well-being across the Alliance.
The highlight of the day was the closing keynote by Professor Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology at Yale University, whose record-breaking course “The Science of Well-being” has inspired millions worldwide. In her lecture, Professor Santos presented current findings from cognitive and behavioural sciences showing how everyday choices, social connections, and mindset shifts can meaningfully improve well-being, mental health and happiness.
Reflecting on why well-being deserves a central place in education and everyday life, she said: “The path to happiness is important – it really matters for the life choices we care about most. And we need to bring well-being to the front and centre of what we teach and how we live.” Her talk underlined EUniWell’s goals that well-being research must not remain theoretical but translate into education, policy, and collective empowerment.
The path ahead
EUniWell’s two-day celebration conference was made possible by the generous support by Cologne’s University Foundation and the University of Cologne. Reflecting on the anniversary, the programme highlighted EUniWell’s scientific foundation and its vision for the future. The Alliance continues to build on five years of progress by connecting evidence-based research, education, and collaboration to foster well-being: to be the voice for well-being, to build communities for well-being, and to continue to develop the idea of a European University.
As EUniWell moves forward with the implementation of EUniWell 2030 Strategy Framework and Strategy Questions, the Five Year Celebration at the University of Cologne demonstrated that the Alliance is not only a community of universities united by institutional friendship, but also a shared scientific endeavour – one that places well-being at the heart of academic excellence, future-orientation, and social progress.
EUniWell Chief Student Officer Sarah Bermann reflected on the meaning of this milestone for the community: “For five years, we have turned collaboration into community, ideas into action, and well-being into a driving force for change and innovation. And we are not finished yet – we look forward to the years ahead.”
Contact
For general information or media enquiries, please contact Eva Laurie, EUniWell Head of Communications.
