Meet the YUFE Visiting Scholars 2026

Fostering collaboration within the YUFE community.

Selected R3-R4 researchers from seven partner universities become official YUFE Visiting Scholars at a YUFE university of their choice in 2026.

With institutional support from both home and host universities and funding from YUFE, this pilot programme aims to strengthen academic cross-institutional collaboration across the YUFE network between established and leading researchers on an individual basis with lasting effects on the YUFE community.

Joanna Augustyn

Nicolaus Copernicus University

Dr. Joanna Augustyn is an Assistant Professor at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, specialist in medieval French literature and gender studies. As a YUFE Visiting Scholar, she will work closely with a multidisciplinary team at Sorbonne Nouvelle University to develop a joint Blended Intensive Programme in French Studies. By developing innovative teaching formats and new mobility pathways, the project reinforces long-term collaboration and enhances the visibility of the humanities axis within YUFE. She is hosted by Professor Aliyah Morgenstern, Vice-Rector for European Affairs and Professor of Linguistics.

Receiving university: Sorbonne Nouvelle University

Anna Kristiina Kokko

University of Eastern Finland

Dr. Anna Kristiina Kokko is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland, philosophical faculty, specialist in examining the intersections between everyday school life and formal policy, such as forecasting and datafication through a sociomaterial theory – particularly how political currents come into friction with the everyday actors. As a YUFE Visiting Scholar at the University of Bremen Dr. Kokko will work on advancing collaborative research and teaching activities, with planned joint seminars, alongside her host Dr. Thomas Grunau, researcher in Childhood and Markets.

Receiving university: University of Bremen

Darian Meacham

Maastricht University

Professor Darian Meacham is Chair of Practical Philosophy and Head of the Philosophy Department, at Maastricht University, specialist in critical philosophy of technology, focusing on AI ethics, digital technologies, and responsible innovation. As a YUFE Visiting Scholar he will work at Sorbonne Nouvelle University on questions regarding the application of AI technologies to the creative and other industries as well as issues concerning European digital autonomy and sovereignty together with his host Dr. Alberto Romele, “Maître de conférences”.

Receiving university: Sorbonne Nouvelle University

Irena Vodopija-Krstanović

University of Rijeka

Dr. Irena Vodopija-Krstanović is a Professor of TESOL and Head of the Teacher Education Center at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka. As a YUFE Visiting Scholar at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, she will hold seminars for students, develop a BIP on intercultural awareness, design a professional development program on intercultural communication and teaching competencies, and plan a conference on diversity and intercultural communication in international higher education. She is hosted by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Maria Victoria Pavón-Lucero.

Receiving university: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Alberto Romele

Sorbonne Nouvelle University

Dr. Alberto Romele is Associate Professor (Maître de conférences) in Media and Communication Studies at Sorbonne Nouvelle University. He is a specialist in digital culture, philosophy of technology, and the social imaginaries of artificial intelligence. As a YUFE Visiting Scholar he will work at Universidad Carlos III Madrid on the cultural, political, and ethical implications of generative AI together with his host Dr. Adrián Almazán Gómez.

Receiving university: Universidad Carlos III Madrid

Melanie Böckmann

University of Bremen

Dr. Melanie Böckmann is Professor of Global Health, Head of the Department of Global Health at the Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP) at the University of Bremen. As a YUFE Visiting Scholar at the University of Maastricht she will work on teaching methods and trainings in Public Health and discuss pathways to apply problem-based learning in BIPs, together with her host Professor Dr. Floor van den Brand at the CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute.

Receiving university: Maastricht University

Juan Pablo Rodríguez Delgado

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Dr. Juan Pablo Rodríguez Delgado is an Associate Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Carlos III in Madrid and Vice-Dean for International Relations. As a YUFE Visiting Scholar at the University of Rijeka, hosted by Professor Iva Tuhtan Grgić, he will pursue an integrated research agenda at the intersection of transport law, sustainability and digitalisation. The visit aims to strengthen academic collaboration through the development of joint research and dissemination activities, as well as to explore the organisation of shared workshops, seminars and related academic events.

Receiving university: University of Rijeka