Lisbon: The Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU), a global network of research-intensive Catholic universities, has elected Dr. Isabel Capeloa Gil, Rector of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), as its new president. SACRU, which spans institutions in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, is committed to research and teaching excellence, global collaboration, and engagement guided by Catholic social teaching.
In a statement, Dr. Gil described SACRU as “a unique knowledge network that combines cutting-edge research with Catholic values and mission.” She emphasized that research, when aligned with the Church’s teachings, becomes a powerful tool to educate, engage, and serve the Common Good. “Now, more than ever, Catholic universities are crucial to advance the Church’s mission, fostering dialogue, inclusiveness, and solidarity,” she said.
Dr. Gil, a Full Professor of Culture Studies, holds a degree in Modern Languages and Literatures from the University of Lisbon and a Ph.D. in German Language and Culture from UCP. She has held visiting professorships in Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Brazil, and the United States, and is an Honorary Fellow at the School of Advanced Studies of the University of London. Her academic and administrative career includes serving as Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences at UCP and founding both the Lisbon Consortium and the Research Centre for Communication and Culture.
SACRU plays a prominent role within the global Catholic academic community, maintaining active representation in federations of Catholic universities. Elena Beccalli, Rector of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Vice President of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), currently serves as President of the European Federation of Catholic Universities (FUCE). Fr. Anderson Antonio Pedroso SJ, Rector of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, holds the presidency of the Organization of Catholic Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (ODUCAL) for 2025–2028 and serves on the IFCU Board.
The alliance, consisting of nine universities, collectively serves over 250,000 students and employs roughly 20,000 academics and researchers. SACRU has collaborated with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to tackle global challenges and strengthen the connection between research and policymaking under the One Health framework. Additionally, SACRU has partnered with the Dicastery for Culture and Education to foster stronger ties among Catholic educational institutions worldwide.
Looking ahead, SACRU and the Dicastery will host the Autumn School titled “The Freedom of Scientific Research” from 27 October to 2 November at the Australian Catholic University’s Rome campus. The program, organized in conjunction with the Jubilee of the World of Education, will explore challenges and opportunities researchers face in navigating academic freedom, funding structures, and ethical considerations in a rapidly evolving global research landscape.
With Dr. Gil at the helm, SACRU aims to further solidify its role as a leading network where rigorous research, Catholic values, and global collaboration converge to address pressing societal and scientific challenges.