About the Public International Partnerships Team
The Public International Partnerships (PIPs) team manages Cambridge's relationships with universities, research institutes, and public bodies outside the UK. While individual academics and departments often hold these relationships, our role is to provide oversight and foster connections of existing relationships and support new initiatives that advance the University’s mission.
Our efforts focus on identifying, developing, and enhancing engagement with international institutions. This can involve convening strategic working groups for different geographical regions, liaising with senior leadership when appropriate, or simply providing region-specific information and expertise. Our comprehensive view enables us to connect individuals with shared goals and assist colleagues in overcoming communication, policy, or legislative barriers, enabling impactful international projects to succeed.
If you are planning or currently engaged in an international activity, whether complex or still developing, we have some resources and guidance to help you get started and we may be able to help, either directly or guide you in the right direction.
Find out more about guidance for international collaborations and how to get started.
How we work
The strategic partnership managers within the PIPs team are organised by region, with a focus on providing oversight to align activities by research specialties and location whilst corresponding with University strategic priorities.
Our regional expertise is divided as follows:
- The Americas - James Philips
- Western Asia - Renata Schaeffer
- Eastern Asia - Dr Jingchen Hou
- South & Southeast Asia, Australasia - Hilary Perrott
- Europe & Central Asia - Dr Olena Fim'yar
- Germany - Ingrid Hobbis
- The Nordics - Ingrid Hobbis and Dr Maja Wallberg
- Africa & The Caribbean - Dr Maja Wallberg
Read more about the work that's taking place in the different regions.
Reach out to our team if you would like more information on setting up your international activity with regional support.
Cambridge's approach to international strategy
International engagement is a cornerstone of the University's mission to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. This commitment is exemplified through our strategic approach.
Read more about the University's approach and our document, 'Towards an International Strategy'.
All international engagement within the University is guided by the University's Principles for International Engagement - five core principles which underpin our activity and provides a framework for developing measures to ensure the sustainability of both our community and their work.
Read more about the University's Principles for International Engagement.
What we do
Committees and working groups
In addition to supporting existing and new initiatives, the PIPs team also serve as the secretariat to the International Strategy Committee (ISC) as well as coordinate regional working groups. These groups have been established based on emerging needs as focus expand into various regions, leveraging research and regional expertise from across the University.
Networks
On behalf of the University the PIPs team participate and coordinate the University's membership of a wide array of research and higher education networks fostering research collaboration and joint working on key issues for the university sector and driving best practice. Our involvement as a University not only enhances our research capabilities but also ensures that our community remains at the forefront of the sector.
Find out more about our networks.
Exchange programmes
The University fosters global academic collaboration through a variety of exchange programmes. These programs provide students and academics with opportunities to immerse themselves in different educational environments, engage in cross-cultural learning, and participate in cutting-edge research projects around the world. Coordinated by the PIPs team these exchanges are designed to enhance academic experiences, and build lasting international connections.