CoARA Conference 2026 (Day 1): Reflections and wrap-up

The central role of communities was highlighted by CoARA Vice Chair, Janne Pölönen, in the concluding remarks for the first day: “Communities are not simply an accessory to reform; they are an implementation mechanism. Reform is complex because institutions cannot simply apply a template. They need practical tools, examples and spaces to share experiences, learn from failures and co-develop adaptations to different career stages, disciplines, missions, and national contexts. That is why communities of practice matter: mutual learning is not just a CoARA activity, but one of its main instruments of change.” In concluding remarks, CoARA Vice Chair, Mr. Janne Pölönen, welcomed NWO and EUA as the newest CoARA sponsors.