The League of European Research Universities (LERU) is a consortium of European research universities. History and overview The League of European Research Universities (LERU) is an association of research-intensive universities. Founded in 2002, as a partnership among twelve multi-faculty research universities, in 2017 it expanded its membership to twenty-three. As the latest additions, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Copenhagen joined the alliance on 1 January 2017. The purpose of the League is to influence policy in Europe and to develop best practice through mutual exchange of experience. LERU regularly publishes a variety of papers and reports which make high-level policy statements, provide analyses and make recommendations for policymakers, universities, researchers and other stakeholders. LERU is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. Prof. dr. Kurt Deketelaere is the current Secretary-General. Prof. Yves Flückiger is the current Chair. Membership The 23 member universities as of 2017 are: KU Leuven University of Copenhagen University of Helsinki Sorbonne University Paris-Saclay University University of Strasbourg University of Freiburg Heidelberg University University of Munich Trinity College Dublin University of Milan University of Amsterdam Leiden University Utrecht University University of Barcelona Lund University University of Geneva University of Zurich Imperial College London University College London (UCL) University of Cambridge University of Edinburgh University of Oxford Former members Karolinska Institutet See also List of higher education associations and alliances Association of East Asian Research Universities Notes These universities also belong to the Coimbra Group, a (larger) alliance of European universities. These universities also belong to Europaeum, another European university network. These universities joined the League as new members on January 1, 2006. These universities also belong to the Utrecht Network, another European university network. These universities joined the League as new members on January 1, 2010. These universities joined the League as new members on January 1, 2017. References External links College and university associations and consortia in Europe