Professors Nuno Nunes (IST) and Valentina Nisi (ITI-LARSyS) recently visited the University of Trento and Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) as part of the BIG project. Their visit aimed to strengthen research collaborations and explore funding opportunities under the EU Horizon Europe and EIT programs, with a focus on technology for social good.
During their stay, both professors delivered research talks and engaged in discussions on interdisciplinary approaches to societal challenges.
Interactive Digital Storytelling for Cultural Heritage
In her talk, “Storytelling as a Bridge to Heritage and Cultural Identity,” Valentina Nisi presented insights from several EU-funded projects that leverage digital storytelling to foster social cohesion and preserve cultural heritage. She highlighted the MEMEX project, which developed collaborative storytelling tools to promote social inclusion in Lisbon, Paris, and Barcelona. Additionally, she discussed the LogaCulture project, which integrates locative games and VR/AR technologies to merge culture and nature. Under the BIG project, Nisi also explored the potential of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) and NFTs to enhance natural heritage conservation.
Bauhaus of the Seas and Urban Innovation
Nuno Nunes presented “Bauhaus of the Seas – A Portuguese Vision for the New European Bauhaus,” focusing on the Bauhaus of the Seas (BoS) initiative. As one of the lighthouse projects of the New European Bauhaus, BoS applies an interspecies, intergenerational, and intercultural design approach to inspire sustainable urban interventions—referred to as “drops.” The project is currently being implemented in seven European cities, including Lisbon, Venice, Hamburg, and Rotterdam. Nunes also showcased how digital technologies, particularly AI and interactive storytelling, are being used to drive urban innovation within the BoS framework.
Strengthening Collaborative Research
The visit reinforced the BIG project’s mission of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and applying technology to address societal challenges. Through these research exchanges, Professors Nunes and Nisi contributed to expanding opportunities for future projects that harness digital innovation for social good.
