Our strategy

A global approach to transitions through interdisciplinary research

Promoting interdisciplinarity because the complexity of the challenges faced requires cross-disciplinary perspectives.

The University of Lille encourages interdisciplinary research, particularly through projects such as Cross-Disciplinary Projects (CDP), which focus on issues of transition and the future. The profile of Lille’s humanities and social sciences is also being raised through the humanities and social sciences clusters and AMI-SHS.

To prepare for the successes of tomorrow, initiatives such as the ERC-Generator have been set up to promote the involvement of the university’s researchers in projects of excellence. The university is also equipping itself with the best research tools thanks to programmes such as Equipex+. The University of Lille is also involved in a number of Priority Research Programmes and Facilities (Programmes et Équipements Prioritaires de Recherche – PEPR). Funded as part of France 2030, the PEPRs help to strengthen research infrastructures and support high-potential exploratory projects, positioning universities at the heart of innovation and research excellence.

Support is also available to help researchers look to Europe, with the backing of the ASDESR project (Europe component). Research and study in the field of engineering are being structured using tools such as the engineering-health Toolbox and the Comasys energy project.

As part of the drive for excellence in research, systems such as Lillanalytics have been set up to improve the use of data to guide research.

This strategy aims to create an environment conducive to innovation and excellence in research by integrating various disciplines to ensure a global and effective approach to contemporary challenges.

Learn about our research projects

A range of innovative courses offered

Offering a range of innovative, sustainable courses that reflect the challenges facing the region and support the study-research continuum.

Through its Excellence Initiative label, the University of Lille is committed to creating a learning environment that is innovative, cross-disciplinary, and focused on the future and society.

The university is developing and funding the educational spaces in the Lille Learning Labnetwork, promoting innovative teaching approaches on its various campuses. It also supports the digital transition in health studies through the Competences and Professions of the Future (Compétences et Métiers d’Avenir – CMA) project CAPS’UL, which aims to prepare students for the technological challenges facing health today. To help students make the transition from secondary school to university as smooth as possible, the university has set up the À vous le sup’ programme, which helps new students settle in and succeed in their university studies.

Four graduate programmes, developed as part of the GRAEL project, are linked to the major transitions of our time, covering the areas of health, the planet, digital technology and society. These programmes offer a masters-doctorate continuum, encouraging students to continue their studies up to doctorate level, particularly students in medicine, pharmacy and dentistry through the Health-PhD programme. The university is also setting up Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) chairs , enabling students to learn through involvement while integrating the fundamental values of the institution and strengthening their civic commitment and our collective responsibility.

In this way, the University of Lille is positioning itself as a major player in higher education and research, preparing its students to become responsible professionals and citizens capable of meeting the challenges of the future.

Learn about our studies-focused projects

A university with an international profile

Aspiring to be a research-intensive university with international influence.

The University of Lille is aiming to become an internationally recognised research-intensive institution for the excellence of its scientific works and innovations. This commitment is reflected in cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration and extensive involvement in academic and research networks on a global scale.

As part of the WILL project, the University of Lille has set up 17 international chairs, bringing together top-level researchers and young researchers from Lille. It has also forged strategic partnerships with the 3i cross-border network (UGand, UKent, KULeuven) and the alliance of European universities NeurotechEU.

To boost its appeal and support its ambassadors, the university offers student mobility grants. Its network of international alumni (WILL) plays a crucial role in enhancing its influence worldwide.

Finally, the University of Lille has an active presence at international trade fairs and on social networks to raise its global profile.

These initiatives illustrate the University of Lille’s determination to position itself as a key player in international research and innovation.

Learn about our projects with an international focus

An innovative university that engages with society

Promoting engagement with society and the region in order to engage with the challenges faced and ensure that we are able to address them in their true form.

To promote engagement with society and the region, and engage with the challenges faced to ensure that we are able to address them in their true form, the strategy is based on a number of complementary focus areas.

The University of Lille is keen to strengthen collaboration through initiatives such as the Lille University Innovation Hub (Pôle Universitaire d’Innovation de Lille) or to establish significant partnerships with other stakeholders, such as the industrial chairs set up in cooperation with the Lille European Metropolitan Area (Métropole Européenne Lilloise – MEL). The Hauts-de-France region is accelerating the transfer of research and involving students in innovation issues through programmes such as START’AIRR and research grants provided in collaboration with companies.

In addition, the University of Lille is promoting learning through involvement by integrating the values of the 7 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the development of SDG university chairs, enabling students to actively contribute to projects with a social and environmental impact. In addition, ‘à la carte’ continuing education programmes are offered on the subject of transitions, in association with the ASDESR project (education component).

Events such as PhD job days are organised to promote our talented students to our partners. Communication, reflection and the sharing of knowledge are promoted through initiatives such as the Inspiring Tomorrow Laboratory, Transitions magazine and the Transitions Week event. Finally, this engagement with society is marked by the organisation of events such as the Science Fair, or spaces of discovery and mediation such as the Xperium hub at the Liliad Learning Center.

This strategy aims to create a dynamic and integrated ecosystem, linking the university, businesses and civil society for a lasting and significant impact.

Learn about our society-focused projects

Learn about our innovation and value creation-focused projects

An active social policy for a collective dynamic

Promoting social excellence by taking into account quality of working life for staff and quality of study conditions for students.

The university is implementing an ambitious social policy to promote excellence, taking into account quality of working life for staff and study conditions for students. This approach includes concrete actions such as increasing the budget of the Joint Social Action Department (Service Commun d’Action Sociale – SCAS), conducting a study of sports facilities, and introducing catering solutions while work is carried out on the Pariselle university restaurant.

At the same time, the university honours its staff through social events such as Staff Day and Staff Month, reinforcing the spirit of cohesion and the recognition of collective effort. The University of Lille is also organising Transitions Week, an event open to its staff and the general public. This space for reflection and creation allows participants to take part in interactive workshops on the major transitions in our society, offering an opportunity to become actively involved in today’s environmental, social and economic issues.

The university takes part in the PAUSE programme , which supports researchers and artists in exile by facilitating their integration into higher education, research or cultural institutions in France, offering them a safe environment in which to pursue their work and creative endeavours.

Learn about our society-focused projects