International Project Research Articles

Building inclusion: participation and circularity for accessible architectures in Palestine

This paper describes the outcome of an international cooperation project aiming at contributing to the protection and the promotion of rights of people with disabilities and to their participation in increasingly inclusive and accessible communities. In Palestine, military occupation causes a lack of basic infrastructures, empty land and planning, de-facto making public areas rare. The opportunity to access an inclusive and safe space is a fundamental factor in quality of living. The participatory processes applied here to implement spatial transformation through sustainable micro-infrastructures foster awareness and knowledge sharing among the participants, despite the obstacles and limits acknowledged herein, opening to possible future developments.

Study of the Importance of Irrigation Projects to Agricultural Water Resources Using the Baiqi Canal as an Example

In the global economic system, the stable development of agriculture as a basic industry is inseparable from the rational utilization of water resources. Irrigation projects play a vital role in ensuring agricultural water use, increasing grain output and promoting agricultural sustainable development. This study aims to explore the scientific experience of Baiqi Canal, an excellent irrigation project in ancient China, and its profound value as a world irrigation project heritage, analyze the importance of irrigation projects to agricultural water resources, and promote the protection and sustainable utilization of irrigation project heritage. Firstly, the irrigation mode of Baiqi Canal and its important role in agricultural development were introduced, and then its influence on local agricultural water resources and ecological environment was analyzed. Finally, the positive influence of international irrigation projects on agricultural water resources was further discussed, and its key role in ensuring food security and promoting agricultural sustainable development was emphasized.

Validated translation of telehealth and health app usability questionnaires to 8 European languages

Abstract International projects such as the Joint Action on strengthening eHealth including telemedicine and remote monitoring for health care systems for cancer prevention and care (eCAN) are implemented in countries with different languages, requiring validation of translations of standardized tools. Evaluation frameworks for telemedicine services necessarily include the patient’s perspective, i.a. on the service usability. Due to the lack of validated questionnaires in multiple European languages we sought to develop translation for the languages of the eCAN pilot countries. Based on literature review, we selected mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) and Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) and developed a conceptual definition for each item. Next, we performed forward and back translation from English into the target languages, expert review, cognitive interview (CI) with 5-10 cancer or chronic disease patients per language/per questionnaire. Qualitative CI results were scored by 2 independent researchers for consistence of each item with conceptual definitions for final review by native speaker expert. We chose 8 languages (ES, GR, HU, IT, LT, NL, PT, SI) for validation. CI involved 48 respondents (29 females, 60%; 18 aged>60, 38%;23 higher education, 48%) for TUQ and 48 (22 females, 46%; 16 aged>60, 33%; 23 higher education, 48%) for MAUQ. Overall 872 (87%) of TUQ and 728 (84%) of MAUQ item answers were classified as consistent. In more than one language we identified concepts difficult to understand: consistent navigation when moving between screens, distinction between easy to use/learn, social settings. The validation process allowed us to identify opportunities to improve translation and highlighted concepts generally more difficult to understand. We provided validated translation of MAUQ and TUQ in 8 European languages for use in eCAN pilots and future telemedicine evaluation studies. Key messages • eCAN successfully validated translations of telemedicine usability questionnaires for 8 languages. • Multilingual translation validation can provide insights into concepts difficult across languages.

Strengthening Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in medical education via an intersectional approach

Abstract Background In the wake of COVID-19, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) policies have been taken up in the health field, yet the actual impact of these initiatives, particularly for multiply marginalized individuals, is debated. Despite progress in areas such as diversity promotion, EDI has been critiqued as superficial and as failing to challenge the drivers of health inequity. This presentation discusses how an intersectionality-informed approach can help harness the transformative potential of EDI. Methods This research is informed by a literature review of EDI initiatives in the health field, and is an offshoot of a 4.5 year international project funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research focused on evaluating and strengthening intersectionality-informed policy guidance. Results There is a disconnect between EDI commitments and substantive action on health inequities and an intersectional approach can help bridge this divide. We demonstrate this with a case example which brings an intersectional approach to EDI initiatives in medical education - including bias trainings, courses on the social determinants of health, and the engagement of community groups. Drawing on promising equity promoting work across these areas, we show how intersectionality can harness the potential of EDI by bringing to the fore what has often been missing, including the promotion of health stakeholder reflexivity, attention to interacting systems and structures shaping health, and meaningful engagement with underrepresented communities. Conclusions An intersectionality-informed approach to EDI has the potential to enhance the health equity impacts of initiatives within medical education and the broader health field. Key messages • EDI initiatives in health often have limited impact on health inequities. • An intersectionality-informed approach to EDI can help health stakeholders drive transformative action on health inequities.

Systematization Toward a Tourism Collaboration Network Grounded in Research-Based Learning. Lessons Learned from an International Project in Ecuador

ABSTRACT This article presents the systematization of an international research project between the Universities of Cuenca, Ecuador, and KU Leuven, Belgium, and how records were kept of the process and lessons learned beyond the specific content and results of the project. The project focuses on research-based learning as an approach to support tourism as a means of sustainable development in southern Ecuador. The initiative encourages the application of critical thinking and involves professors, students, communities, and decision-makers. The systematization process relies on verification documents, such as minutes, reports and recordings, which evidence the decision-making and implementation processes to elaborate the project successfully over several years. Through the systematization, it is evident how learning and cooperation relationships have been produced and how a platform has been developed to facilitate research, dissemination and transfer. Therefore, the experiences obtained through this systematization are valuable and transferable to other development projects and research teams.

Research on the Risk Management of International Engineering Project Financing

Abstract: Against the backdrop of the "Going Global" strategy's continuous advancement and the rapid integration of the international economy, China's development prospects in the realm of international engineering contracting and investment appear highly promising. Currently, in the implementation of international engineering projects, construction contracting enterprises regularly participate in project financing to alleviate funding challenges faced by project owners. Within the context of international engineering project financing, an array of risks is inevitably encountered. Among these, the most prominent risks include political, legal, market, performance, economic, construction, and operational risks, among others. Through the analysis of various risk factors presented in this paper, the aim is to enhance the understanding of international engineering contractors regarding the intricacies of these multifaceted risk elements. Subsequently, corresponding mitigation strategies are proposed to empower project operators in effectively managing and guarding against these multifaceted risks.

Research on the Internationalization Strategy of Country Garden Holdings Company Limited

Abstract: For years, China's real estate industry has been in fierce competition. With the development of economic globalization, the domestic market is about to reach saturation gradually. Under these circumstances, Chinas real estate enterprises were obliged to go out to obtain more opportunities to improve their profits and ensure their position in the market. Country Garden Holdings Company Limited, as one of the leading enterprises in the real estate industry, started to invest and expand in overseas markets in 2011. With its forward-looking strategic planning, it has successfully launched projects in many countries and regions, which are worth studying. This paper analyzes the development status of international projects of Country Garden and its internationalization strategy, and explores the reasons for its successful investment, which can provide more information and guidance for Chinas real estate enterprises to invest overseas in the future.

The potential of virtual reality meetings in international research projects for greenhouse gas emission mitigation

PurposeEuropean Union (EU) research projects generally involve international teams based in different countries. This means that researchers need to travel internationally to participate for in-person meetings, which are crucial for facilitating collaboration among research teams and provide a platform for teams to share their progress. Unfortunately, much of the international traveling in EU projects is done by air and therefore it has a significant carbon footprint. One potential solution that has gained attention in recent years is virtual reality (VR) and the metaverse. The aim of this work is to investigate to what degree VR meetings provide a viable alternative to physical meetings in the context of EU research projects and can thus contribute to climate change mitigation.Design/methodology/approachA three-stepped approach was chosen. First, the requirements for VR meetings were determined by collecting all relevant aspects of physical meetings through a questionnaire. Second, a set of VR meeting experiments were designed and executed. Third, carbon footprints for both physical traveling and VR meetings (lifecycle) were calculated.FindingsWe conclude that VR can be a powerful tool which can supplement international projects and mitigate carbon emissions associated with traveling for in-person meetings by an estimated 7–19 times.Originality/valueThis paper explores the suitability of the current generation of VR technology and quantitatively evaluates its effectiveness for greenhouse gas emissions mitigation in the context of a European research project.

Socioeconomic status, smoking, and lung cancer: mediation and bias analysis in the SYNERGY study.

Increased lung-cancer risks for low socioeconomic status (SES) groups are only partially attributable to smoking habits. Little effort has been made to investigate the persistent risks related to low SES by quantification of potential biases. Based on 12 case-control studies, including 18 centers of the international SYNERGY project (16,550 cases, 20,147 controls), we estimated controlled direct effects (CDE) of SES on lung cancer via multiple logistic regression, adjusted for age, study center, and smoking habits, and stratified by sex. We conducted mediation analysis by inverse odds ratio weighting to estimate natural direct effects (NDE) and natural indirect effects via smoking habits. We considered misclassification of smoking status, selection bias, and unmeasured mediator-outcome confounding by genetic risk, both separately as well as by multiple quantitative bias analysis, using bootstrap to create 95% simulation intervals (SI). Mediation analysis of lung-cancer risks for SES estimated mean proportions of 43% in men and 33% in women attributable to smoking. Bias analyses decreased direct effects of SES on lung cancer, with selection bias showing the strongest reduction in lung-cancer risk in the multiple bias analysis. Lung-cancer risks remained increased for lower SES groups, with higher risks in men [4th versus 1st (highest) SES quartile: CDE 1.50 (SI 1.32-1.69)] than women [CDE 1.20 (SI 1.01-1.45)]. NDE were similar to CDE, particularly in men. Bias adjustment lowered direct lung-cancer risk estimates of lower SES groups. However, risks for low SES remained elevated, likely attributable to occupational hazards or other environmental exposures.

FoCa – Free of Carbon Architecture –an educational and informational online platform supporting the decarbonization of the construction sector in Poland and Turkey

Wrocław University of Science and Technology, in consortium with the Polish Association of Ecological Buildings (PLGBC), the Institute of Building Technology (ITB) and research and scientific units from Turkey, started the international project FoCA – Free of Carbon Architecture. Its aim is to create a publicly available tool – an interactive internet platform providing information on the environmental properties of construction materials and products available in Poland and Turkey. The platform allows users to compare and evaluate the environmental impact of selected building materials. As part of the platform's development, information is collected about building materials or products available on local markets, in the form of data describing their selected environmental impacts (GWPfossil, GWPbiogenic, GWPtotal, TRPE, TNRPE, WD). The platform allows to compare building materials and perform analyzes for conceptual building designs. In addition, producers of building materials can also benefit from the project because they will receive information about the environmental properties of some of their products. The platform will be available in the second half of 2024.

The AI-empowered Researcher: Using AI-based Tools for Success in Ph.D. Programs

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) changes the picture of graduate education by providing personalized learning, automated feedback, intelligent research assistants, and automated content creation (George, 2023). AI tools will support doctoral students in text generation, language translation, responding to academic queries, and data collection and analysis and encourage self-learning and thinking development (Rasul et al., 2023; Zou & Huang, 2023). They also would be helpful for doctoral students working as teaching assistants and aiding in daily problems (Can et al., 2023; Parker et al., 2024). However, the rise of AI tools also leads to considerations of academic integrity, over-reliance on AI, misinformation, and the potential biases embedded in algorithms (George, 2023; Rasul et al., 2023). Echoing the opportunities and challenges of AI applications in research and learning, the ALISE Doctoral Students SIG wants to encourage a discussion on how doctoral students can use AI tools to empower us in the Ph.D. journey. The panel invites a diverse group of doctoral students/candidates to share how AI tools can facilitate data collection and analysis and their critical understanding of AI systems. Manar Alsaid will talk about using AI and machine learning to detect complex misinformation on social media. The talk aims to enhance our understanding of misinformation and reduce its negative impacts. This presentation will provide valuable insights for research on misinformation and information literacy. Adam Eric Berkowitz will introduce the black-box tinkering method that experimentally discerns how AI systems operate. The method enhances the transparency of AI systems, challenging the technocratic paradigm. With three examples, Berkowitz encourages attendees to learn what black-box tinkering is, how to identify cases using it, and potential opportunities to incorporate it in research. Anisah Herdiyanti will share insights from a study comparing transcripts generated by Otter.ai and Zoom Meetings. The presentation will highlight both the benefits and challenges of AI-based notes and transcription software, including technical concerns and the convenience of automated result delivery. The audience will enhance their understanding of AI tools in qualitative data transcribing and the ethical considerations in the process. Rebecca Bryant Penrose will showcase the use of HeyGen, an AI-based video generator and translation tool, in an international interview project between students at California State University Bakersfield and a Ukrainian artist/author. The presentation will increase awareness of the potential use of AI-based video and help researchers overcome language barriers in data collection. The panel will last 90 minutes, including a 5-minute introduction and a 5-minute wrap-up. Each panelist will have 10 minutes to present their topics, followed by 5-minute Q&As. A 25-minute moderated roundtable discussion will follow the panelists’ presentations to explore the potential use of different AI tools in research, including ChatGPT and AI-powered article summarizers. The panel’s learning outcomes include (1) Identifying challenges and opportunities to incorporate AI tools in research and study and (2) Explaining how to interact with AI tools to improve efficiency in research. It also provides a platform for doctoral students to share their knowledge of how AI changes research approaches and networks with each other.

Engaging Data Literacies in Displacement

Data-driven humanitarianism is changing the face of aid. More data potentially enables quicker and more efficient evidence-based responses to situations of conflict and disaster. Yet the proliferation of data also challenges traditional lines of accountability, exacerbates the drive toward extractive relations and processes while deepening communication barriers and asymmetric relations between humanitarians and affected communities. This article reflects on critical data literacy as a transformative method in the context of the datafication of the humanitarian sector. It draws on research carried out with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and South Sudan as part of a collaborative international project examining the practice and ethics of data collection and use. The article discusses the project’s participatory ethos, its engagement of IDPs with the project over time and the importance of developing co-produced tools of critical data literacy together with IDPs. Reflecting on the significance of our findings for humanitarian practitioners as well as for academics working in the field of humanitarianism and displacement, the article argues for a collective commitment to engaging with affected communities while cautioning against viewing data literacy as an easy fix to empowerment challenges, both in the conduct of humanitarian work and in the implementation of research.

Adaptive Strategies and Sustainable Innovations of Chinese Contractors in the Belt and Road Initiative: A Social Network and Supply Chain Integration Perspective

As global economic integration and rapid technological advancements transform international business, international engineering contracting has become essential for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper investigates the significant impact of China’s strategic initiatives, notably the “Going Global” strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), on the operational practices of Chinese enterprises involved in overseas investments. Central to this transformation is the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model, which emphasizes the integration of supply chain management and stakeholder collaboration to enhance performance in international EPC projects and underscores the crucial role of these elements in promoting sustainability. Incorporating insights from social network data analysis, this study reveals that contractors collaborating with various stakeholders—such as owners/consulting engineers, domestic and foreign customs departments, and group headquarters/design parties—exhibit a high degree of similarity in personnel profiles. This suggests that the internal organizational structure and personnel allocation of contractors could be optimized to enhance operational efficiency, aligning with the collaborative patterns identified. This study addresses a critical research gap by exploring how effective supply chain management and collaborative stakeholder engagement within multinational EPC projects contribute to sustainable outcomes. Employing advanced social network analysis software, the research examines the complex interactions among stakeholders and their influence on procurement dynamics. Findings indicate that strong relational networks and strategic collaborations significantly enhance procurement efficiency and project success, underscoring the importance of supply chain integration. Ultimately, integrating supply chain management principles into the EPC model not only offers innovative perspectives for advancing sustainability in international projects but also provides actionable insights for improving project outcomes within the BRI framework. This research underscores the pivotal role of supply chain organization and stakeholder cooperation in achieving sustainability objectives, thereby enriching the discourse on sustainable enterprise operation and supply chain management in the context of global initiatives.

The Unique Perspective of an Expert Humanitarian Nurse: A Case Study.

Nurses perform a key role in national and international humanitarian efforts. This case study of a highly experienced Registered Nurse who has engaged in international humanitarian projects for more than 30 years provides unique insight into the way nurses care for underserved populations. This nurse constructed knowledge and derived meaning from her practice by utilizing Carper's Patterns of Knowing. Many previous studies have proposed that Aesthetic Knowing is the dominant form of knowledge most nurses use to synthesize their understanding. However, in her personal account, this nurse identified Ethical Knowing as the overarching framework she used to construct all her other forms of knowledge and to derive meaning from her experiences. Findings from this case study identify significant themes related to the role of nurses in humanitarian work, and provide new insight into prevailing Western theoretical frameworks and how nurses can address health disparities among marginalized populations.

Cartographic Review of Teacher Educators’ Professional Learning with an Aesthetic Approach

Experimenting with innovative and creative ways to conduct a literature review aligns with the paradigm shift from qualitative to post-qualitative research, which is concerned with doing and becoming rather than being. The aim of this article is twofold: to unfold the process of a cartographic approach to conducting a literature review; and by exploring the literature to discuss what an aesthetic approach activates in teacher educators’ collaborative professional learning activities. Inspired by Deleuze and Guattari (1988)’s cartographic principle of the rhizome, and post-qualitative inquiry more generally, this review generates knowledge through connections of concepts across 21 international research projects from teacher educators that use an aesthetic approach in their collaborative practices. New components of professional learning are found by mapping-and-tracing entangled concepts. A discussion of encounters within an aesthetic approach to professional learning shows how the processes involved in a cartographic review generates new directions in thinking, such as becoming-professional.

Legal regulation of the international activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine

The article is devoted to highlighting the features of the normative and legal regulation of the international activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. The content of the concepts of «legal regulation» and «normative and legal regulation» is clarified, taking into account existing scientific approaches to their understanding. It is determined that normative and legal regulation is a part of legal regulation and focuses on influence through normative legal acts, whereas legal regulation includes a broader spectrum of tools and mechanisms of legal influence. It is concluded that normative and legal regulation is carried out exclusively through legal norms, the external expression of which is the sources of normative and legal regulation. The author analyzes the normative and legal framework that regulates international cooperation in the field of youth and sports, including the laws of Ukraine, decrees of the President of Ukraine, resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as international agreements ratified by Ukraine. Special attention is paid to the mechanisms of implementation of international standards into national legislation, as well as the role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the formation and implementation of state policy in the relevant field. The main problems and challenges faced by the Ministry in the context of ensuring effective legal regulation of international activities are identified, and recommendations are provided for improving the normative and legal framework. Improvement of the legal framework and active participation in international projects will help Ukraine to achieve high standards in these fields. As a result of the study, the author concludes that cooperation between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and other state and non-state institutions involved in international activities is a prerequisite for the successful development of youth policy and sports in Ukraine. Improving the legal and regulatory framework for the international activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine is a prerequisite for increasing the efficiency of its work, improving international cooperation and integrating Ukraine into the global sports movement.

Assessment of Gluten-Free Products' Availability and Satisfaction in a Polish Population of Coeliac Disease Patients and Their Caregivers.

Among the most important challenges associated with the gluten-free diet are the high costs and limited availability of gluten-free products, accompanied by the lower nutritional value of gluten-free products. The aim of the presented study was to assess gluten-free products' availability and satisfaction in a Polish population of coeliac-disease patients and their caregivers. The study was conducted in a population of Polish female coeliac-disease patients and female family members/relatives of patients diagnosed with coeliac disease, being members of the Polish Coeliac Society and purchasing gluten-free products. A population of n = 819 was included in the studied group based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria (n = 547 of patients and n = 272 of family members/relatives of patients). The study was conducted as a part of an international project to assess the opinions of coeliac-disease patients about gluten-free products, as well as the availability and prices of gluten-free products in various countries, while an identical questionnaire was applied in all participating countries, with transcultural adaptation applied. Opinions concerning the availability of and satisfaction with gluten-free products were assessed based on a questionnaire of agreement with fixed statements about the accessibility, range and quality of gluten-free products in Poland, with a five-point Likert scale to declare the agreement. This was stratified by the following variables: age, place of residence, being diagnosed with coeliac disease, place of purchasing major grocery shopping, gluten-free products at least occasionally bought online, declared problem(s) with the availability and quality of gluten-free products. While comparing the studied sub-groups, it may be stated that some of them were more satisfied than the other sub-groups with the gluten-free products, including their availability and quality; namely, older respondents were more satisfied than younger ones (p < 0.05), respondents living in small towns/villages were more satisfied than those living in big cities (p < 0.05), respondents undertaking major grocery shopping in hypermarkets were more satisfied than those not doing this (p < 0.05), and respondents not buying gluten-free products online were more satisfied than those undertaking this at least occasionally (p < 0.05). At the same time, respondents diagnosed with coeliac disease were more satisfied with the availability and less satisfied with the quality of gluten-free products, while respondents with diagnosed family members/relatives were less satisfied with the availability and more satisfied with the quality (p < 0.05). The group of female coeliac-disease patients and female family members/relatives of patients diagnosed with coeliac disease was highly diverse in terms of their satisfaction with gluten-free products' availability and quality, whilst older respondents, respondents living in small towns/villages, respondents doing major grocery shopping in hypermarkets, and respondents not buying gluten-free products online were more satisfied. Respondents with family members/relatives diagnosed with coeliac disease declared serious efforts and sacrifice to purchase gluten-free products, which was associated with their higher satisfaction with quality and lower satisfaction with availability, while respondents diagnosed with coeliac disease chose easier options, resulting in their higher satisfaction with availability and lower satisfaction with quality.

Exploring construction technical intelligence: a grounded theory approach to international construction professionals' adjustment in new technical contexts

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the process of adjustment for international construction professionals when facing new technical contexts. It introduces a framework called construction technical intelligence (CTI) and seeks to provide valuable insights and practical guidance for professionals involved in international construction projects.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a grounded theory approach was employed, which included conducting in-depth interviews with 28 professionals engaged in international construction projects. The qualitative data gathered from these interviews underwent systematic analysis to identify important categories and develop theoretical perspectives.FindingsThe findings demonstrate the framework of CTI, which encompasses four essential dimensions that play a significant role in facilitating the successful adjustment of international construction professionals to new technical contexts. These dimensions underscore the multidimensional nature of CTI and offer valuable insights into the necessary capabilities for professionals to thrive in dynamic and globalized construction environments.Originality/valueBy proposing this comprehensive framework, the study contributes to the knowledge and understanding of the technical adjustment process for international construction professionals. It also establishes a foundation for future quantitative research to validate and refine the proposed model, enabling a deeper comprehension of the dynamics involved in professionals' technical adjustment.

Natural sinks and sources of CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; in the atmosphere of Russian regions and their contribution to climate change in the 21st century evaluated with CMIP6 model ensemble

The natural fluxes of CO2 and CH4 into the atmosphere from the territory of Russia in the 21st century have been analyzed using the results of calculations with the ensemble of global climate models of the international project CMIP6. Estimates of natural CO2 fluxes in Russian regions differ greatly for different models. Their values for the beginning of the 21st century range from –1 to 1 GtC/yr. In the 21st century the differences in model estimates of fluxes grow and at the end of the 21st century in the scenario with the largest anthropogenic impacts SSP5-8.5 range from –2.5 to 2.5 GtC/year. Estimates of natural methane emissions to the atmosphere from the territory of Russia also differ greatly for different models. Modern methane emissions are estimated in the range from 10 to 35 MtCH4/yr, with an increase in the 21st century of up to 300%. Ensemble model calculations show general trends for changes in natural greenhouse gas fluxes. Most CMIP6 ensemble models are characterized by a maximum of CO2 uptake by terrestrial ecosystems and its further reduction by the end of the 21st century, while natural methane emissions to the atmosphere for all models and scenarios of anthropogenic impacts grow throughout the 21st century. The cumulative temperature potential of natural CO2 fluxes on the territory of Russia in the 21st century is estimated, depending on the scenario of anthropogenic impacts, from –0.3 to 0.1 K, and the warming-accelerating impact of natural CH4 emissions is estimated in the range of 0.03-0.09 K.

Connecting the challenges of quality and equality in higher education using the collective intelligence approach: findings from an international expert panel

This article presents the results of phase one of the B-CAUSE project, an international project designed to connect equity and quality in higher education. Expert stakeholders worked together using collective intelligence methods to develop a shared understanding of (1) key features of equity-focused quality higher education, (2) barriers to equity-focused quality higher education and (3) options for overcoming these barriers. Results highlight the potential transformative dimension to equity-focused, quality higher education, including responsiveness to students, participatory design, pluralism and openness and the educational imperative to promote equity in practice. The barriers and options generated by experts focused on institutional resources and supports, excellence-equity tensions, systemic norms and pressures, reflective complexity, awareness and empathy and student supports. The collective intelligence of experts provides the basis for ongoing research, strategy and pedagogical or curricular innovation as part of the B-CAUSE project and other international efforts to foster equity-focused, quality higher education.