The Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) is an international group of universities that focuses on strong links between research and undergraduate teaching.[1] Each member is leading international best practice in research and education based on long academic traditions.[2] The MNU was established in 2010 to enable universities to enhance diversity, to share ideas and expertise, and to learn international best practice from each other, recognising the shared commitment to an ethos of excellence in research, scholarship and rounded education.[3]
Matariki is the name in the Māori language for the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters. It reflects the seven founding member universities of the MNU.[4] [5]
The Matariki Undergraduate Research Network (MURN) ran in 2012 and 2013 as an attempt to foster international undergraduate research. Assessment of MURN found that it had worked well locally but the international element had been less effective, in particular due to differences in time zones and in academic calendars.[6]
The academic libraries of the member institutions have collaborated on benchmarking activities to set their performance in an international context and to develop and share best practices.[7] [8] The libraries also collaborated on assessing whether 'flipped subscription' models for open access publishing, where funds previously used for journal subscriptions are flipped to instead pay article publishing costs, were viable for mid-sized research universities.[9]
The "Oceans and the Blue Economy" theme brought together researchers from the Matariki universities to identify ways in which the marine economy could achieve economic goals while also building environmental resilience.[10]
The network was set up by seven universities in 2010.[11] These were joined by an eighth university, University of the Western Cape in South Africa, in 2024.[12]
| width=200px | Members | width=150px | Country | Year established | Year joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth College |  United States | 1769 | 2010 | ||
| Durham University | United Kingdom | 1832 | 2010 | ||
| Queen's University |  Canada | 1841 | 2010 | ||
| University of Otago |  New Zealand | 1869 | 2010 | ||
| University of Tübingen | Germany | 1477 | 2010 | ||
| University of Western Australia |  Australia | 1911 | 2010 | ||
| University of the Western Cape | South Africa | 1959 | 2024 | ||
| Uppsala University |  Sweden | 1477 | 2010 |