Equal but Different? Catholic Universities in Central and Eastern Europe

ABSTRACT This study examines the institutional identity, governance, academic strategies, and societal roles of Catholic universities (CUs) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), focusing on Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine. It analyses how CUs balance their Catholic identity with secular higher education standards amidst pressures of globalisation, secularisation, and political change. Drawing on documentary analysis and semi‐structured interviews with university leaders, the research highlights the distinctive strategic positioning of CUs, their governance structures tied to Church authorities, and their emphasis on holistic education, research, and community engagement. Despite convergence trends with secular universities, CUs in CEE maintain a unique identity grounded in faith‐based values, contributing to societal resilience, particularly in contexts of historical oppression and current crises such as the war in Ukraine.