Frequently asked questions
What is the history behind WUN?
WUN was established in 2000 following a conference on the globalisation of education.
WUN became operational in 2001 based on an agreement between the 8 founding members drawn from the USA - University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Washington-Seattle, Pennsylvania State University, UCSD - and UK - the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Southampton and York.
These institutions became the founder members of the WUN.
What is WUN’s mission?
WUN exists to support its member universities in a collective endeavour to generate significant advances in knowledge and understanding in areas of current global concern.
Who runs the WUN?
The WUN is run by an executive board consisting of a principal representative from each of the member universities. The current chair of the board is Professor Mark Emmerts, President, University of Washington, Seattle, US.
The WUN Chief Executive Officer, Professor John Hearn reports to this board.
Most member universities have a dedicated WUN Co-ordinator to oversee WUN activities in their respective institutions.
Who are the current members?
The current members of the WUN are:
- University of Alberta
- University of Bergen
- University of Bristol
- University of Cape Town
- University of Leeds
- Nanjing University
- Pennsylvania State University
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Sydney
- University of Washington, Seattle
- University of Western Australia
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- University of York
- Zhejiang University
How does an institution become a member?
Membership of the WUN is by invitation of the board.
What does WUN do?
WUN supports its mission in a number of ways.
- Support for building and sustaining research communities is offered through the provision of research funding, through WUN’s international network of contacts, and through support for the development and use of communication aids such as websites, videoconferencing and access grid technology.
- WUN supports personal and academic growth through the Research Mobility Programme (RMP) which allows postgraduate students and staff at WUN member universities to spend time researching at other institutions within the network.
- WUN enhances the learning experience and internationalizes curricula through the development of elearning theory, practice and programs.
- WUN organises regular online, interactive seminars which are available to staff and students at member universities. Seminars are delivered by leading academics from the membership with themes and topics ranging across the research spectrum.
Does WUN provide research funding?
WUN offers targeted pump-priming funding for selected projects and collaborative initiatives each year. Most are supported directly by member institutions, though central funds are also available for strategic initiatives.
What type of projects does WUN support?
WUN funds a diverse range of projects across the physical, social and life sciences, arts and humanities. These projects enable new forms of collaboration and add value in cross-institutional ways.
Current project areas include:
Science
- Bio-Informatics
- Biogeochemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Green Chemistry (Multidisciplinary)
- Intelligent Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (IUAV)
- Nanomanufacturing
- Nuclear Science
- Spintronics
ICT
- Environmental Acoustics
- Games & Learning
- Geographical Information Science Academy
- Virtual Landscaping
- Wireless Communications
- WUN Grid
Earth Sciences
- Arctic Climates & Environments (ACE)
- Earth Systems
- INSPIRE
- Weathering & Sustainable Land Use
Social Sciences
- Children, Youth & Families
- Contemporary China Studies
- Criminology
- Economic Geography
- eLearning Seminars
- Entrepreneurship
- Future Cities
- Globalisation of Education
- Green Chemistry (Multidisciplinary)
- Poverty & Development
- Risk
- Science of Ageing
Health & Life Sciences
- Biomolecular Archeology
- Bioprocessing for health
- Global Health
- Nursing
Arts & Humanities
- Colonial and Post Colonial Studies
- eChina
- eLanguages
- Linguistics
- Medieval Studies
- Multilingualism in the Middle Ages
How do I apply for research funding?
Please contact your local coordinator.
Can I apply for pump-priming funding if I am not in a WUN partner university?
Research projects solely for faculty from outside WUN partner institutions are not eligible for research funding from WUN. However, faculty from outside WUN may benefit from WUN funding if they are part of a larger project led by a WUN member.
How does WUN benefit faculty?
WUN provides faculty and staff in member institutions with a number of resources to help develop and sustain collaborative research projects and provide teaching of the highest quality.
- Access to pump-priming funding for research is available from WUN.
- Support for building and sustaining research communities is offered through WUN’s international network of contacts, and through support for the development and use of communication aids such as websites, videoconferencing and access grid technology.
- Funding for short and long-term visits to colleagues in partner institutions is offered through the Research Mobility Programme (RMP)
- Access to valuable teaching resources via the WUN’s archive of seminars and related materials.
- Access to a growing number of elearning programs in a variety of subject areas.
How does WUN benefit students?
Recognising that the postgraduate students of today are the researchers of tomorrow, WUN provides many tools to foster personal and academic growth.
- Funding for short and long-term visits to study in partner institutions is offered through the Research Mobility Programme (RMP). The programme provides students with opportunities to develop their research, access tools and techniques which may not be available at their place of study and lay the foundation for future research career.
- WUN’s live video seminars give students the opportunity to listen to and engage with leading academics in their field, wherever they may be located. Archived seminar materials offer additional access to the work of learned scholars in a number of disciplines.
- Summer institutes and e-conferences provide students with more opportunities to widen intellectual networks and meet their peers across the globe.
Can I participate in WUN activities if I am not in a WUN partner university?
Faculty and staff from outside WUN may benefit from WUN funding if they are part of a larger project led by a WUN member.
Can I participate in WUN virtual seminars if I am not in a WUN partner university?
Faculty and staff from outside WUN may benefit from WUN virtual seminars if they have been asked to participate in the series by the WUN lead member.
Can I participate in WUN’s Research Mobility Programme if I am not in a WUN partner university?
Faculty and staff from outside the partnership are not eligible to participate in the RMP.
How do I get involved in WUN?
If you are working in a WUN member institution and would like to know more about how to become involved in the WUN contact your local WUN Co-ordinator or contact: