Celebrating a New Partnership Between TORCH and UdK Berlin

TORCH is delighted to announce formal recognition of our collaboration with The Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin) which will take effect as of January 2024. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Professor Dr. Norbert Palz, President of the Berlin University of the Arts, and Professor Daniel Grimley, Head of the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford, to deepen and expand the existing bilateral cooperation.

The Berlin University of the Arts and the University of Oxford have been working together particularly through TORCH since 2020. The research alliance, "The Oxford - UdK Berlin Partnership in Arts and Humanities", has established various formats for developing academic exchange, and since 2022, nearly 20 seed-funded projects by researchers and artists from both universities have been successfully implemented with annual funding of 40,000 euros.

The Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms the commitment of both universities to promote interdisciplinary and cross-curricular exchange in research and teaching in the humanities, arts, social sciences and cultural sector. The partnership aims to stimulate innovative research projects, experimental teaching formats and European knowledge exchange. It will support early career researchers, artists and students in building international academic relationships. The Memorandum of Understanding lays the framework for in-depth cooperation over the next three years. The partnership will also extend to the Cultural Programme and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, which will open in Oxford in 2025. We look forward to continuing cooperation in the following areas:

Research: undertaking joint research and artistic development projects with other partners that address current global challenges.

Mobility: exploring opportunities for exchange of researchers, artists and students from both universities.

Teaching cooperation: facilitating joint events, such as seminars, workshops and lecture series.

Cultural exchange: coordinating public exhibitions, performances, artistic and creative projects in theory and practice in the visual and performing arts, design, music and culture.

Professor Dr. Norbert Palz, President of the Berlin University of the Arts, commented on the expansion of the partnership: "The Memorandum of Understanding has taken the collaboration between the UdK Berlin and the University of Oxford to a new level. In addition to joint research and artistic projects at the interface of the arts, humanities and sciences, the positive effects of the cooperation will also flow into teaching and cultural exchange in the future."

Professor Karen Leeder, Schwarz-Taylor Chair of the German Language and Fellow of The Queen's College, Oxford, has commented: "I am so delighted that this already fruitful and exciting partnership has taken a further step in cementing its joint work. Bringing together researchers, creatives, ECRs and students in this way from our two institutions promises cutting-edge work across the disciplines. Oxford, TORCH and the UdK each have their own visions but share so many common goals. This collaboration has everything it takes to find creative solutions to the urgent challenges we face today."

Professor Christine Gerrard, Director of TORCH and Barbara Scott Fellow in English, Oxford, has added. "This is an exciting milestone. The signing of the MoU testifies to the shared ambitions of innovation, creativity and social purpose that unite UdK Berlin, Oxford and TORCH."

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a long-term and wide-ranging partnership between the Berlin University of the Arts and TORCH. The collaboration will open new avenues for academic and artistic excellence and make a significant contribution to international education and research.

For more information on the partnership, please see further details on the UdK website

Berlin University of the Arts / Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK Berlin)