Universities are emerging growth determinants. This is so as, in addition to the fulfillment of their traditional role in teaching and (basic) research, universities, as aptly described within the helix framework, are expected to engage in regional development processes. The paper aims to detect trends of convergence among EU universities in terms of performance. To the best of our knowledge, this topic has not hitherto been examined. The empirical analysis of the paper covers the period 2014–2021, utilizes data obtained from URAP (University Ranking by Academic Performance), and employs the methodological approach of convergence clubs. The findings of the paper provide valuable insight into both theory and policy-making. We conclude that despite the unification of EU educational space, trends of divergence among EU universities are still present, and notable divisions still remain. Consequently, this indicates that the impact of EU universities on the formation of spatial disparities across EU space is not neutral.

中文翻译：

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检测欧盟大学之间的融合趋势

大学是新兴的增长决定因素。这样，除了在教学和（基础）研究中发挥传统作用外，如螺旋框架中恰当描述的，大学有望参与区域发展进程。本文旨在从绩效方面检测欧盟大学之间趋同的趋势。据我们所知，迄今为止尚未对该主题进行过研究。本文的实证分析涵盖了2014年至2021年，利用了URAP（按学术表现对大学排名）获得的数据，并采用了融合俱乐部的方法论方法。本文的发现为理论和政策制定提供了宝贵的见解。我们得出的结论是，尽管欧盟的教育空间得到了统一，但欧盟大学之间的差异趋势仍然存在，并且仍然存在明显的分歧。因此，这表明欧盟大学对整个欧盟空间空间差异形成的影响不是中立的。