Round Table – Science Communication and Open Science

On May 21st, from 5.30 to 7 pm at Sala Bobi Bazlen, Palazzo Gopcevich, Via G. Rossini 4, Trieste

This roundtable discussion aims to investigates the strategies and mechanisms crucial for enhancing public engagement in citizen science, science communication, and open science initiatives. 

The round table will be divided into two sessions, one in Italian and one in English. In the first one, the discussion will focus on the key themes of the meeting (public engagement/citizen science, science communication and open science), exploring the most significant issues. In the second part, the focus will be on best practices of citizen science with the experiences of some early research careers and on the role of public engagement concerning stakeholder involvement to stimulate a debate involving the public.

Recognizing the pivotal role early research careers play in shaping the future of science and fostering public confidence in science issues, the discussion aims to identify and discuss best practices according to their specific problems and needs.

Citizen science, science communication, and open science are fundamental tools for engaging the public in scientific activities, promoting transparency, and developing collaborations between citizens and the scientific world. In this respect, early research careers play a central role in shaping the future of science and promoting public knowledge and trust on these themes.

Moderator:

Dr. Alessandro Carrieri, T4EU-T4ERI projects, University of Trieste

  • Institutional greetings:

Prof. Alberto Pallavicini, Rector Delegate for T4EU

  • Part 1 – Public engagement, science communication, open science and citizen science.

Prof. Stefano Martellos, University of Trieste

Prof. Andrea Cerroni, University of Milano-Bicocca

Dr. Federica Sgorbissa, Medialab Sissa

  • Part 2 – Best practices for fostering public engagement and citizen science

Prof. Tullia Catalan, University of Trieste

Dr, Anna Krekic, Castello di San Giusto and Risiera di San Sabba, Municipality of Trieste

Dr. Chiara Vitillo, The University of Siena

Dr. Katia Rupel, University of Trieste

‘The Garden of the (In)visible’ travelling exhibition is coming to Trieste

The travelling exhibition ‘The Garden of the (In)visible’ travelling exhibition is coming to Trieste after stops in Koper and Herpelje.

It will be open from 20th to 26th May from 6 p.m. at the Rogers Station, Riva Grumula 14 – Trieste and from 27th May to 9th June at the University of Trieste, Central Building, Ground Floor right wing.

During the stay in our University there will be various moments and appointments to explore the issues of borders and migration.

At Stazione Rogers

Monday 20th May, 6.00 pm: Inauguration. The exhibition will be presented by Department of Humanities Studies and T4EU members and students. Music by Ismail Swati and Aftab Ali

Tuesday 21st May, 5.00 pm: Khandwala and dignity. Presentation of issues relating to the Silos of Trieste and the living conditions in it. With the participation of the Silos volunteers and those who live there

At Androna Campo Marzio 10

Thursday, 23rd May, 5.30 pm: The Documentary “Agàpe” by Velania A. Mesay e Tomi Mellina Bares. Aula B. In collaboration with Associazione Casa del Cinema di Trieste. Following the projection, at 19:00 in Stazione Rogers, there will be a talk with the two directors of the documentary, open also to the audience to participate.

Friday, 24th May, 12.00 am: Library of the border (event for secondary schools)

The exhibition is part of anthropological research on the theme of migration carried out by the University of Primorska Koper and the University of Trieste, as part of the activities of T4EU – Transform4EuropeAlliance. Working collaboratively across borders, lecturers and students travelled between Croatia, Slovenia and Italy where they found and collected objects left by migrants in the woods or at the edges of towns.

Friday, 24th May, 6.00 pm: Migration: past, present and future. We will explore the different ways in which migration has influenced over time the social and cultural dynamics of Trieste. With the participation of prof. Roberta Altin and Katja Horbat Virloget – Liliana Vocci e Silvia Cassano (testimonies of the exodus) and the University delle Liberetà.


These things are abandoned after long and difficult journeys on foot by people from various backgrounds in Asia and Africa.

They are both everyday objects used for eating, sleeping, protecting oneself from the elements and caring for oneself as well as artefacts that reveal an intimate and spiritual sphere.

Casting these things aside and abandoning them leaves a record of a passage towards a new stage in life, a sign of rebirth.


The piles of discarded things at the edge of the woods or by the roadside that we ignore or treat as rubbish lead us towards a fundamental political and moral question of our times.

Only a small number of these objects have been selected for inclusion in the exhibition ‘In the garden of the (In)visible’.

The travelling exhibition attempts to  stage encounters between individuals crossing borders and individuals living at borders.

Ultimately, it seeks to ask a fundamental question: what do we (not) want to see?

How to make science more engaging and sociable?

The Vitautas Magnus University invites academic staff, researchers and PhD students of Transform4Europe universities to participate in the Training & Experiences Sharing Session “How to make science more engaging and sociable?”.

The online training will be held on April 15, 9.00–15.45 CET (MS TEAMS).

The session consists of two parts.

The first part is dedicated to citizen science and will focus on the presentation of its concept and main principles, limitations and problems that could be encountered during citizen sciences projects. The trainers also will share their exemplary experiences in implementing citizen science projects or related activities in different countries and universities.

The second part is dedicated to improving science communication competencies. The program comprises theoretical and practical approaches, covering topics such as the complexity of science communication, ethics in the field, navigating visual misinformation, and utilizing social media tools for effective communication. Led by experts from various institutions, the program aims to enhance participants’ skills in conveying scientific information and navigating the challenges of communication in today’s diverse media landscape.

The reminder about upcoming The Training & Experiences Sharing Session together with login reference will be sent to all registered participants approximately 3–5 days before the event. The Training & Experiences Sharing Session will be recorded.

SCHEDULE

PART I: CITIZEN SCIENCE

Moderated by Tomas Berkmanas, Associate Professor Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania

9.00–9.45 CET

Citizen Science in Practice: Ecosystem Approach | Eglė Butkevičienė, Professor Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania

9.45–10.15 CET

Exploring the Role of Private Natural History Collections in Citizen Science: Opportunities and Challenges | Veljo Runnel, Citizen Science Expert | University of Tartu, Estonia

10.15–10.45 CET

Transferable Experiences and Lessons Learnt from Citizen Science Project on Wildlife Conservation | Elena Buzan, Professor University of Primorska, Slovenia

10.45–11.00 CET

Citizen Science Q & A

11.00–12.00 CET

Lunch Break

PART II: SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

Moderated by Austė Aleksandravičiūtė-Šviažienė, Science Communication Specialist, Lecturer | Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania

12.00–12.45 CET

The Complexity of Science Communication | Austė Aleksandravičiūtė-Šviažienė, Science Communication Specialist, Lecturer |Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania

This lecture aims to delve into the intricacies of science communication, exploring the multifaceted challenges and nuances inherent in conveying scientific concepts to diverse audiences.

12.45–13.30 CET

Ethics of Science Communication | Tomaž Grušovnik, Associate Professor

University of Primorska, Slovenia

The lecture will introduce the audience to the basics of ethical reflection and explain important virtues in science communication: truthfulness, objectivity, courage, etc.

13.30–13.45 CET

Break

13.45–14.45 CET

Navigating the Landscape of Visual Misinformation (Lecture/Seminar) | Kert Viiart, Associate Professor, Graphic Designer and Visual Artist |Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia

As images and videos continue to be potent tools for disseminating information, the responsibility to promote accuracy and truth in visual communication becomes imperative in navigating the complex landscape of contemporary media.

14.45–15.45 CET

Social Media Tools for Science Communication (Workshop) | Karin Marinič, Digital Communications Editor & Amy Simmons, Assistant Researcher | University of Primorska, Slovenia

This workshop will discuss practical ways to create engaging and accessible science communication. Lecturers will share tips and tricks for effective & creative communication on social media.

First face-to-face “Common Heritage and Multilingualism” experts meeting in Trieste

The University of Trieste, leader of WP7 on Common Heritage and Multilingualism of the T4EU Alliance, held ita first face-to-face WP7 experts meeting in Trieste on 26th February 2024.

About 30 international guests participated from all 10 partner universities.

The meeting was an occasion to reflect on our common heritage and what we can do to keep our distinctive features, while trying to find a common T4EU identity. Discussions included the definition of commonly used terms like “multilingual” and “intercultural”, and what our Alliance can do to promote them.

Our partners provided a lot of excellent food for thought, inputs, and ideas to develop our partnership stronger and deeper.

Our next step will be the fine-tuning and implementation of what was discussed, with the objective of making cultural heritage and multilingualism two flagship elements of our Alliance!

Beyond Borders T4EU week

It is a great pleasure for us to announce the launch of our 2nd Transform4Europe Week, co-organised with our Slovenian neighbours, the University of Primorska, from 20th to 24th May 2024!

The title of this year’s edition is Beyond Borders, as a tribute to the decade-long collaboration between our two institutions, which are now bound by an even stronger tie: the Transform4Europe Alliance.

The T4EU week will start and take place in Trieste on 20th and 21st May, and will then move to Koper on 22nd, where it will see its conclusion on 24th May.

We will welcome participants from all 10 partner universities with a rich and varied programme, that will be fine-tuned and published over the next weeks.  Stay tuned to get all the updates!

For the time being, we have put together a course offer for students of all study levels (BA, MA, PhD).

Take a look at the course catalogue and make your choice!

Each course description provides details about:

  • max number of students
  • target group/s (BA, MA, PhD)
  • granted ECTSs

Students can only attend one course, but are requested to list three options in order of preference.

Each partner university can send up to 15 students, who will be selected internally based on Erasmus+ criteria and notified accordingly, once the selection procedure is finished.

Courses will be delivered following a BIP hybrid scheme (Blended Intensive Programme), including some online and 20 face-to-face teaching hours each. ECTS credits will be granted by the University of Primorska.

Use our application form and don’t miss out the chance to experience unity and a real sense of belonging beyond borders!

Hurry up: the deadline to apply is 15th March 2024!”

Join the University of Trieste in in the initiative M’illumino di Meno

M’illumino di Meno, a green campaign organized by Rai Radio2 in collaboration with the show Caterpillar, has been a beacon of environmental consciousness since its inception in 2005. This initiative, born on the day the Kyoto Protocol came into effect, symbolizes a collective effort to promote energy conservation and sustainable lifestyles.

Over the past two decades, M’illumino di Meno has evolved into a celebration of environmental stewardship, fostering a spirit of unity and innovation. Its impact has been recognized nationally, with the Italian Parliament designating February 16th as the National Day of Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles.

In light of the urgent global climate crisis, it is imperative that we join forces to drive meaningful change. By participating in M’illumino di Meno, we have the opportunity to showcase our commitment to sustainability and inspire others to take action. Together, we can demonstrate the power of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.

We encourage our esteemed colleagues from the Universities of the Transform4Europe alliance to join us in this endeavor. Let us unite in our efforts to promote environmental awareness, advance sustainable practices, and pave the way for a brighter, greener future.

Turn off as many lights as you can and improve your environmental practices. M’illumino di Meno 2024 : together, with No Borders.

T4EU week ITA-SLO

 Beyond Borders with the University of Primorska and University of Trieste

So – get ready to embark on a journey Beyond Borders with the University of Primorska and University of Trieste during the T4EU Week!

📅 Save the Date: 20 – 24 May

🌟 Opening: Trieste

🎉 Closing: Koper

This promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with enriching encounters and collaborative moments. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details, coming your way in mid-February.

Roundtable “Borders and migration: (In)Visibility, Then and Now”

Starting from an analysis of the Italian-Slovenian border and of its past and present function, this public roundtable allows for discussion between scholars, local institutions and those who have crossed and experienced the border in their migratory journeys, in order to reflect on the (in)visibility of migrations across borders.

23 November 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Auditorium of the Department of Humanities, University of Trieste – Androna Baciocchi 4

Organised by the University of Trieste in collaboration with the University of Primorska, Koper

Working language(s): Italian. The abstracts will be multilingual (ITA/ ENG/SLO)

The roundtable will focus on the Trieste border and the (in)visibility of migration from both an Italian and Slovenian perspective. Depending on the time period and on the people crossing it, the Trieste border has been part of the Iron Curtain, a space connecting different worlds, an everyday transit space or a European barrier. The border conceals and exposes, constructs identities, routes and patterns of life. But, above all, it builds cross-border territories and identities, it shapes the areas it encompasses and it gives rise to new social meaning.

Starting from an analysis of the border and its past and present function, this public roundtable allows for discussion between scholars, local institutions and those who have crossed and experienced the border in their migratory journeys. UniTS roundtable is the second stop in a European alliance path that began with the Koper roundtable on the theme of Borders & Migrations. It will be an opportunity to present the Border’s Archive (Archivio di Frontiera), an ongoing operative research project of students from the Universities of Trieste and Primorska.

With the participation of:

  • Alessandro Monsutti (Anthropologist, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva)
  • Katja Hrobat Virloget (Anthropologist, University of Primorska)
  • Roberta Altin (Anthropologist, University of Trieste)
  • Tullia Catalan (Historian, University of Trieste)
  • Sandi Klun, (Mayor of the border municipality of- Dolina)
  • Rita Casseler (border witness)
  • Ismail Swati (border witness)
  • Students of the ’Archivio di Frontiera – Border’s archive’ Laboratory

Moderators:

Giuseppe Grimaldi ( Anthropologist, University of Trieste) and Alessandro Carrieri (Historian, University of Trieste).

With the participation of voluntary associations, local stakeholders, students and citizens.

TEAMS: https://u.garr.it/9S5fc

European Student Assembly 2024

Call for applications by students at the Transform4Europe alliance universities

On April 10-12 2024, the third session of the European Student Assembly (ESA) will take place in Strasbourg at the European Parliament. 

The European Student Assembly is a grassroots project that gathers each year more than 200 students from different European University Alliances (EUA) to debate current issues, draft political recommendations for the future of Europe and advocate them among stakeholders and decision makers.

The T4EU students can apply until 5 November.

As students and part of Transform4Europe, you are eligible to apply!

Please note that accommodation costs will be taken care of by ESA, and that selected students will have their travel costs from European countries covered by Transform4Europe.

Please read the #ESA24 handbook before applying.