ROSKILDE UNIVERSITET

Their core work

Roskilde University (RUC) is a Danish research university with strong interdisciplinary traditions, specializing in public governance, migration studies, sustainable food systems, and environmental policy. Their H2020 work focuses on translating social science research into practical governance frameworks — from co-creation in public services to integration policies for refugees and migrants. They also contribute applied research on agri-food innovation, circular economy practices in cities, and chemical risk assessment. RUC bridges academic inquiry with real-world policy impact, making them a valued partner for projects requiring participatory methods and multi-level governance expertise.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), RUC's portfolio spread across diaspora entrepreneurship, conflict prevention, social protection, and sustainable agriculture — reflecting a broad social science base without a dominant theme. From 2019 onward, a clear consolidation emerged around two poles: migration/integration policy (SIRIUS, MIRNet) and public value co-creation in governance (COGOV, HECAT), while their food systems work matured into urban food policy (FOOD TRAILS). Most recently, RUC has expanded into environmental risk science with CHRONIC, signalling a potential new research direction beyond their social science core.

RUC is consolidating around governance innovation and migration research while branching into environmental risk science — expect future projects combining policy expertise with sustainability challenges.

How they like to work

RUC operates predominantly as a research partner (18 of 23 projects), joining consortia rather than leading them, though they have coordinated 4 projects including recent ones like CHRONIC and SlowDisasters. With 367 unique partners across 46 countries, they maintain an exceptionally wide network for a mid-sized university — they are a connector, not a repeat-partner institution. This breadth makes them easy to integrate into new consortia, and their consistent role as a contributing partner suggests they are reliable team members who deliver without needing to drive.

RUC has collaborated with 367 unique partners across 46 countries, an unusually wide network for a university of its size. Their reach extends well beyond Scandinavia, with strong connections across the EU and into global development contexts through projects like DiasporaLink.

What sets them apart

RUC's distinguishing strength is their ability to combine rigorous social science with participatory, action-oriented methods — they don't just study governance, they co-design it with practitioners. Few European universities match their dual depth in both migration policy and public sector innovation, making them a rare find for consortia needing both themes addressed. Their interdisciplinary DNA means they integrate naturally across sectors, from food systems to environmental risk to digital governance.

Highlights from their portfolio

• COGOV
  Largest single grant (EUR 528K) and central to RUC's identity — a flagship study on co-production and co-creation in renewing European public administration.
• CHRONIC
  Most recent coordinator role (2021-2025, EUR 595K), representing a strategic expansion into environmental chemical risk science with advanced toxicological methods.
• FOOD TRAILS
  Largest overall funding (EUR 578K) and demonstrates RUC's capacity to bridge urban policy, food systems, and living lab methodologies in a large Innovation Action.