All Publications
Publications from the IAU hold significant value for the global academic community. They provide critical insights into higher education trends, policies, and challenges worldwide. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of the worldwide higher education landscape, IAU publications help shape informed policy-making and institutional strategies. Additionally, these publications promote international collaboration and knowledge exchange, enhancing the quality and accessibility of education globally. The IAU's authoritative reports, research papers, and policy briefs are essential resources for educators, administrators, and policymakers striving to advance higher education in a rapidly evolving world.
The following IAU Publications are written by IAU Board Members, expert or working groups, Secretariat Members or in collaboration with Members. Read on to discover articles or papers written in collaboration with or about the IAU; the latest editions of the IAU Magazine, IAU Horizons; the quarterly publication Higher Education Policy (HEP); Policy Papers; and Annual Reports.
Universities, Open Science, and the Free Flow of Knowledge
Informed by the 2025 IAU report Open Science: The Challenge for Universities, the IAU Executive Committee established a drafting group composed of Administrative Board members to prepare an IAU Position Paper on Open Science. The aim of this position paper is to reaffirm the importance of this agenda while acknowledging the diverse contexts in which universities operate.
The Value of Universities in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
In this edition of IAU Horizons, the In Focus section is devoted to the theme of the IAU 17th General Conference: The Value of Universities in an Era of Artificial Intelligence. While countries around the world and societies at every level are grappling with how this technology will shape the future of our societies and, ultimately, the human condition, we, too, are compelled to contemplate the impact this will have on higher education and beyond.
Digital Transformation of Higher Education: Navigating Evolving Opportunities and Challenges
The International Association of Universities (IAU) is pleased to present its second Global Survey Report on Digital Transformation, offering a global perspective on how higher education institutions are navigating an evolving digital landscape.
Building Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development: The IAU HESD Cluster and the Road Ahead to 2030
Discover the latest report on SDGs activities carried out by the IAU HESD Cluster members.
Repositioning Internationalization in a New Geopolitical Era
In recent years, the world has undergone a profound transformation. In many countries, extreme right political movements with ideologies anchored in nationalism, nativism, xenophobia, and illiberalism pose threats to democratic institutions…
Annual Report 2025
The International Association of Universities is pleased to present the 2025 Annual Report of activities. In 2025, the IAU hosted 7 webinars, published numerous reports and policy statements, strengthened and engaged with our Membership base, and continued our advocacy work for our four priority areas: value based leadership, internationalization, sustainable development and digital transformation. Through these thematic priorities, the IAU has been able to continue project based work to facilitate international collaboration and knowledge production. To learn more about what IAU achieved in 2025, read the latest Annual Report.
Note on Rankings
Note in Support of the Report of the UNU-Convened Independent Expert Group on Global University Rankings
IAU Horizons: Dimensions of Trust in Higher Education
The university, in its corporate structure, is one of very few institutions in global history that have survived the passing of time. Ideally, universities are marked by unique ethical commitments that enhance their trustworthiness. The idealized view of academia stresses its openness, its universality, its institutionalized procedures for self-criticism and self-correction, being a force for good across all its missions. However, it has become increasingly harder to convincingly demonstrate its merits and benefits.
Internationalization of Higher Education: Insights into Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion; Sustainable Development; and International Partnerships
This report presents findings from a qualitative study on emerging priorities in internationalization, including how internationalization is linked to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and sustainable development (SD). It also considers how approaches to international partnerships are changing.
Shaping the Path Forward - Higher Education and Partnerships ahead of 2030
Discover the latest report on SDGs activities carried out by the IAU HESD Cluster members.
IAU Horizons: Transforming our World: Shaping the Path Forward
A decade ago, the United Nations set a bold and inclusive vision for global transformation with the adoption of the UN Agenda 2030 – Transforming our World and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a holistic framework built on 5 pillars, environmental, social, economic dimensions, and peace and partnerships as key enablers for this much needed progress. It acknowledged the essential contributions of all sectors, yet, while higher education was recognized as a stakeholder, its pivotal role in advancing the SDGs was not given the centrality it deserves.
Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Economic Growth and Decent Work for All
“Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Economic Growth and Decent Work for All” is a comprehensive, open-access book that explores the challenges and solutions for achieving SDG 8, put together by the University of Gothenburg and the SDG 8 Cluster.
Open Science: The Challenge for Universities
Universities have endured over time as centres of knowledge, adapting to significant changes in their environments. They often share the ambition of being both flexible and reflective, and at the same time remaining committed to the fundamental values of higher education and to a core mission, namely fostering critical thinking, creativity, social progress, social responsibility, inclusivity, diversity and upholding the role of arbitrators of truth through academic integrity in knowledge production respectful of various epistemological traditions
Annual Report 2024
In 2024, IAU hosted 9 webinars, published numerous reports and policy statements, strengthened and engaged with our Membership base, and continued our advocacy work for our four priority areas: value based leadership, internationalization, sustainable development and digital transformation. Through these thematic priorities, the IAU has been able to continue project based work to facilitate international collaboration and knowledge production. To learn more about what IAU achieved in 2024, read the latest Annual Report.
IAU Horizons: The University: Shaped by Values and Shaping Values
In today’s dynamic, complex, and ever-evolving global landscape, universities are increasingly finding themselves on the front lines of social tension, economic and environmental uncertainty, and political change. These challenges transcend geographical boundaries, impacting universities worldwide irrespective of their size, traditions, cultures, or operational styles.
Higher Education on the Way to 2030
This fourth comprehensive report on the activities of the IAU HESD Cluster provides valuable insights into the efforts of the Members of the International Association of Universities (IAU) to address the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It underscores the crucial role of higher education and partnership in achieving these global goals.
IAU Speaks Out
The mandate of the International Association of Universities includes taking a public stand on issues of importance to its membership – higher education institutions and university organisations from around the world. To fulfill this advocacy function, Working Groups set up by its Administrative Board help IAU elaborate policy statements that call for changes and improvements within the higher education institutions or within the broader policy framework which sets the context for higher education development.
IAU Horizons: Universities and the Interplay between Human Intelligence and Generative AI.
The widespread distribution of generative AI has raised many questions for higher education institutions to address, spanning a wide spectrum of visions from utopian ideals to dystopian scenarios. To shed light on what is at stake for higher education, this ‘In Focus’ section is devoted to Universities and the Interplay between Human Intelligence and Generative AI.
Internationalization of Higher Education: Current Trends and Future Scenarios
The IAU 6th Global Survey on the Internationalization of Higher Education received responses from 722 higher education institutions (HEIs) in 110 countries and territories. The resulting survey report analyses the findings in order to present both global and regional trends. Furthermore, the report compares current findings with data from the IAU’s previous Global Surveys on Internationalization in order to explore long-term changes occurring in the internationalization field. Discover first results of the survey here.
Annual Report 2023
The Annual Report for 2023 of the International Association of Universities highlights key events, achievements, and activities for the year.