The Intercontinental Academia (ICA) creates a global network of future research leaders in which some of the very best young academics work together on paradigm-shifting, cross-disciplinary research, mentored by eminent researchers from across the globe.

Each year, UBIAS member institutes collectively adopt a Topic of the Year (ToY): a question of fundamental global relevance, examined through the full diversity of disciplinary and cultural perspectives represented in the network.

ToY is a shared intellectual space that each institute interprets in its own way, through workshops, seminars, public lectures, exhibitions, and collaborative events. 

ToY events connect IAS, fellows and their communities to foster mutual knowledge and collaboration.

The UBIAS network has recently launched a few working groups to further explore best practices among members and potential for inter-IAS collaboration on specific/priority topics such as supporting early career reserachers, nurturing intersectorality, strengthening IAS impact, etc.

Every two years, the worldwide network of university-based IAS gather for an in-presence meeting to learn form each others' best practices and to foster inter-IAS collaboration on initiatives, programmes, and projects. Every two years, it meets on a different continent. After Europe, Latin America, and Asia, the UBIAS network gathered in Africa in 2025. The 2027 UBIAS Conference will be held in Australia!