Your search produced  500 risultati.
You're viewing results  251 -  275:

• The Importance of Internationalisation in Higher Education and Double Degrees - Professor Giovanni Marseguerra, Vice-Rector for Academic Programmes at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

  Traditionally, the internationalisation of a university has been measured by factors such as the number of courses taught in English, the number of international students, and the number of students who have had an experience abroad. We should also consider the internationalisation of the faculty, the composition of the faculty, and the integration of the international perspective into all aspects of the university's activities. How can internationalisation benefit students and faculty? Internationalisation can have a significant impact on the academic, personal, and professional development of students and faculty. How can internationalisation be integrated into all aspects of the university's activities? As previously stated, internationalisation should be viewed as a cross-cutting dimension that encompasses all aspects of the university's operations. What is the importance of formally recognising international experiences in the student's curriculum? Recognising international experiences is essential for promoting internationalisation and providing students with the skills and competencies needed to succeed in a globalised job market. By promoting internationalisation in higher education, we can prepare students and faculty for success in an interconnected world and promote the development of skills and competencies needed to succeed in a globalised job market . Driving International excellence - Professor Stefano Baraldi Professor Stefano Baraldi, the former coordinator of the MSc in Management at Università Cattolica, discusses the impact of Double Degree agreements on the reputation of the Faculty of Economics and the role of internationalisation in EFMD accreditation.

• Collaborative Online International Learning and Research

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Collaborative Online International Learning and Research Collaborative Online International Learning and Research Converging Fashion, Food, and Technology in Higher Education In an innovative endeavour, ModaCult – Center for the Study of Fashion and Cultural Production is weaving together the threads of fashion and food. Supported by the EU's Erasmus+ programme and in collaboration with eight partners from six European countries, the "Fashion &; Food Synergy for Sustainability" project delves deep into the crossroads of sustainability, communication, and cuttingedge technology. Emanuela Mora, Director of ModaCult , coordinates the Political and Social Sciences School , an undergraduate programme devoted to the communication management of food and fashion systems (COMMA) , where the first seeds of this innovative project was sown. We asked Silvia Mazzucotelli , a member of the ModaCult research team and co-coordinator of COMMA , about the inspiration for this project. She is an Associate Professor at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, where she works at the Department of Sociology and focuses her research and teaching on the Sociology of Cultural and Communicative Processes . These models consist of a well-balanced combination of in-person sessions, collaborative online lectures, group work and independent study activities - all with the overarching goal of grasping the role of sustainability in the food and fashion industries. Looking ahead, Professor Mazzucotelli shared some ideas and thoughts: ModaCult envisions expanding the project's network and expertise by collaborating with additional universities and sustainable professionals.

• Closing the distance

  At the time, ALTIS (Alta Scuola di Impresa e Società at Università Cattolica) had just been born and Professor Ornaghi asked us if we were interested in developing the programme, and I agreed. We were planning on delivering the programme at the national level which may sound less prestigious from one point of view but was a more viable option for those young entrepreneurs who didn’t have to travel across the continent to attend the programme. Thanks to our African partners we developed a business competition at the beginning of the programme giving students three different possibilities at once: by presenting their entrepreneurial business ideas they were competing for scholarships, getting attention from stakeholders, and attracting new sponsors for the programme. I believe Università Cattolica and E4Impact’s presence in Africa is one unrivalled within Europe. You are viewing Mario Molteni is Full Professor of Corporate Strategy at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan, Italy) and Rector’s Delegate for Business Relations. He is CEO of E4Impact Foundation, Università Cattolica’s spin-off for fostering impact en-trepreneurship in Africa, in partnership with local universities, that currently operates in sixteen African countries. He has lectured in Corporate Strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility on many master’s programmes (Università Cattolica, SDA Bocconi, ENI Corporate University, Publitalia, Angelicum).

• Empowering Communities: a New Frontier in Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Prevention

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Empowering Communities: a New Frontier in Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Prevention Empowering Communities: a New Frontier in Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Prevention. CeSI's initiative focuses on the Ngaoundal Health District of Cameroon , where TB poses a significant threat. Bringing together the support of various partners, the project aims to understand the local context which will enable CeSI to combat TB through community engagement . The strategy revolves around enlisting community leaders , including women and youth, to foster ownership of treatment plans and address cultural practices contributing to TB transmission. Prof. Patrizia Laurenti Can you explain how the community engagement approach enhances the effectiveness of TB prevention compared to traditional healthcare delivery models? The community engagement approach we aim to pursue focuses on raising awareness among individuals and key population segments within the community. What strategies has CeSI used to ensure the accuracy and cultural sensitivity of information shared by community leaders? Our goal is to engage the community to help them understand the value of boiling milk before consuming it. How were community leaders selected and trained for CeSI's awareness programme in Cameroon?

• CERZOO: A Model of Innovation for the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty CERZOO: A Model of Innovation for the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences CERZOO: A Model of Innovation for the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences. At Università Cattolica, we see CERZOO as a model of innovation and a concrete response to the urgent questions agriculture must face today – climate change, sustainability, animal welfare, and food quality among them. CERZOO tackles these challenges by integrating research and practice in areas like precision livestock farming, regenerative agriculture, and environmental sustainability. The Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences at Università Cattolica has two main campuses: one in Piacenza – its original home – and another recently established in Cremona, housed in the newly renovated former convent of Santa Monica. During those commemorations, Professor Pier Sandro Cocconcelli , Dean of the Faculty, explained: “ Studying Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences reflects the fact that these three areas are closely interconnected : food production, its transformation into consumable goods, and the impact on the planet. In this context, one particularly outstanding example is CERZOO , an experimental agricultural company that focuses primarily on eight research areas: Agroecology , with agronomic research aimed at improving soil fertility and health, increasing organic matter, enhancing resource efficiency, boosting biodiversity, and integrating digital technologies in precision agriculture. In a world that increasingly demands environmental responsibility, Università Cattolica is proud to count on a centre of excellence like CERZOO and to place it at the service of the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences.

• The Times Are Changing. Is Education Keeping Up?

  The UNESCO Chair BC Since 2018, the Faculty of Education has held a very important distinction: a UNESCO Chair. It contributes to the achievement of Goal 4 on Quality Education of the UN 2030 Agenda, focusing on the right to education, international cooperation, and democratic and citizenship education. Core activities include scientific research, the promotion of projects of international cooperation – such as Maison de Paix in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – training in the field of international cooperation, participation in national and international forums, and the dissemination of key UNESCO Global Education Reports. The Chair also collaborates with the Observatory for Education and International Cooperation of Università Cattolica.of the UN 2030 Agenda, focusing on the right to education, international cooperation, and democratic and citizenship education. Domenico Simeone is Full Professor of General and Social Pedagogy at the Faculty of Education of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan), where he teaches General Pedagogy and Family Pedagogy. He is Dean of the Faculty of Education, Director of the UNESCO Chair in 'Education for Human Development and Solidarity among Peoples' and of the Observatory for Education and International Cooperation. She is a member of the Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Chair in 'Education for Human Development and Solidarity among Peoples' and of the Academic Board of the Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation (CHEI).

• Youthfulness and the Future: Being 20 in 2025

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Youthfulness and the Future: Being 20 in 2025 Youthfulness and the Future: Being 20 in 2025 As populations age and younger generations become fewer, economies must find new ways to sustain growth, productivity, and social welfare. It is an unprecedented phenomenon, as historically young people have always been the majority in all populations (Livi Bacci 2011); the main source of economic growth and a major push for social innovation.”. Thus, dejuvenation is not simply a way to describe the progressive ageing of the population but a weakening of the perspective and expectations that youth typically bring toward the future. The term “ageing” describes the increasing number of older adults, while “dejuvenation” highlights a different yet complementary aspect – namely, that as the elderly population grows and lives longer, the number of young people is declining. Yet, despite fewer young people, Italy and other mature economies have not significantly increased investments in education, housing, or innovation – the very areas that would support youth. This illustrates how dejuvenation has both a qualitative and quantitative dimension: by investing in qualitative actions that improve the condition of young people, helping them develop skills to innovate and create new jobs through their ideas, we inevitably create a positive quantitative impact . A leading scholar in demographic trends and youth studies, he serves as the Scientific Coordinator of the Youth Observatory at the Toniolo Institute and the Youth Condition Observatory for the Lombardy Region.

• The Faculty of Economics hosts its first International Advisory Board

  Even if the creation of an International Advisory Board is part of the University Statute, it is thanks to the pursuit of the EFMD program accreditation by the Master of Science in Management that the Faculty of Economics has taken the chance to create one. The Advisory Board is chaired by Professor Antonella Occhino, Dean of Faculty of Economics at Università Cattolica. As higher education experts, the board includes Dr Nick Letch, Dr Catherine Pereira Villa and Richard Russo who will be working in close collaboration with diverse business managers, quality, and accreditation experts as well as Università Cattolica’s Director of Master of Science in Management, Stefano Baraldi. Dr Nick Letch is the Deputy Dean and Deputy Head of the Business School at the University of Western Australia, whose research interests examine the interplay of social and technical aspects of information technology implementations. Associate Vice Chancellor of Undergraduate Education at UC Berkeley, Richard Russo worked as the Director of UC Berkeley Summer Sessions, where he oversaw the development of the first UC Berkeley online courses. Dr Pereira will be able to contribute to the IAB with a view of education from a Latin American context, foster strategic partnerships, and provide academic opportunities for lifelong learning. Through close collaboration the IAB members aspire to establish Università Cattolica’s Faculty of Economics on the international stage by sharing ideas and working on faculty programs, internationalising faculty members, inviting international professors, and creating joint programs and projects.

• A Truly Global Education: The Impact of Double Degrees at Università Cattolica

  Professor Andrea Canova Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy In 2016, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and the Beijing Language and Culture University signed the first complete Italy-China Double Degree jointly activated by two faculties of humanities. As a Faculty with a strong international vocation, how do you think the landscape of Double Degree collaborations will evolve? The Faculty of Economics has invested heavily in both mobility for individual semesters or short programmes and Double Degree programmes, based on its strong international vocation. Professor Anna Maria Fellegara Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Law Professor Fellegara, your Faculty was the first at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore to launch and promote a Double Degree programme in 2003. Professor Giovanni Gobber Dean of the Faculty of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures The Faculty of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures offers its students the opportunity to participate in a Double Degree programme at universities in the Czech Republic, France, the Russian Federation, and China. Professor Antonio Gasbarrini Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery In 2019, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore signed a Double Degree agreement with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, the first example of a recognised Double Degree in Medicine and Surgery in both the European Union and the USA. Professor Alessandro Antonietti Dean of the Faculty of Psychology For years, the Faculty of Psychology has welcomed students from non-EU universities who obtain a Double Degree from their home institution and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. You are viewing Related articles Driving International excellence - Professor Stefano Baraldi Professor Stefano Baraldi, the former coordinator of the MSc in Management at Università Cattolica, discusses the impact of Double Degree agreements on the reputation of the Faculty of Economics and the role of internationalisation in EFMD accreditation.

• Four teams researching for the safety of our society

  To explore this issue, Università Cattolica is armed with four active research groups working on many fronts to prevent, understand and meet the challenges of security. Università Cattolica is part of a large scale: Horizon 2020 is the largest EU Framework Programs for Research and Innovation , with Societal Challenges nominated as one of the program sections. More than 345 million euros have been allocated by the European Commission for 2014-2015 to focus on a number of challenges, one of these being Secure societies – Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens . Research and innovation activities are not just bringing together universities, but they are including all security stakeholders – SMEs, research organizations, as well as public authorities, non-governmental organizations and public and private organizations in the security domain. Research includes focusing on environmental monitoring of chemical and biological agents used as weapons of mass destruction in terrorist attacks, something of extreme importance for the programming of specific emergency response and public health surveillance. Italian Team for Security, terroristic Issues &; Managing Emergencies (ITSTIME), the research center is coordinated by Professor Marco Lombardi, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Milan campus. The primary aims of the Secure Societies Challenge are to enhance the resilience of our society against natural and man-made disasters, to fight crime and terrorism, to improve border security, and to provide enhanced cyber-security.

• Research & Faculty

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Research &; Faculty.

• The colour of wheat

  ’ This is the most precise way to encapsulate her own work at EDUCatt and her passion for the psychological well-being of the Università Cattolica community. ’ It's the bit where the fox is saying goodbye and mentions how wheat doesn’t mean much to her since she doesn’t eat bread. My wish is that every student, thanks to EDUCatt, the faculty, staff, and everyone they meet at Università Cattolica, can hold onto a bit of that same kind of warmth and connection. ” Can you tell us about EDUCatt and its psychological support service? EDUCatt is a non-profit foundation entrusted by Università Cattolica with the task of providing services related to the right to study in favour of students during their university career. Do international students generally use this psychological support service? Yes, and to facilitate their access to the service, we have a professional on each campus who can conduct the sessions in English and, where possible, in French. How would you describe the students arriving at Cattolica today, having experienced lockdown during their high school years? Generation Z faces its own set of challenges, but I would prefer not to speak of them as only isolated or suffering individuals. The University has also participated along with other universities in the call for the development of projects on psychological well-being , and we are waiting for the final approval from the Ministry of University and Research.

• Online does not stop us, it reinvents us.

  Can you please tell us more about your research published in Cremona Food Lab, on people’s ability to handle the COVID-19 pandemic on a psychological level? We are monitoring people’s concerns and sense of vulnerability for the health and economic situation connected to COVID-19 (that is, the repercussions in terms of prevention but also in terms of trust and optimism for the personal and national economic situation). We are evaluating two kinds of repercussions that affect people’s behaviour: prevention (how Italians are proactive, active and adhering to safety measures), and food (how and to what extent nutrition is impacted by the pandemic, being the crossroads between personal and economic observation). Seeing this constant state of emotional strain on the one hand, which is leading to psychological symptoms (we already have data on anxious-depressive symptoms and burnout), and on the other hand, the decreased sense of being able to resolve a personal issue, put at stake all the preventive measures. We believe that the only strategy to manage the pandemic is to manage our behaviour, how we decide to react to the situation. I think those who did not approve of online teaching at the beginning of the pandemic have now changed their minds after seeing that some elements have turned out to be surprisingly positive. You are viewing Guendalina Graffigna is a Full Professor at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore where she currently teaches “Consumer Food Psychology,” “Qualitative Methodology” and “Psychology for Social Marketing.”.

• Ethics in the age of AI: responsibility, bias, and human values

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Ethics in the age of AI: responsibility, bias, and human values Ethics in the age of AI: responsibility, bias, and human values. In an era where AI is closing in on human-like cognition, is this technology about to spark the defining ethical debate of the next decadeand forever change how we define progress? Professor Ciro De Florio challenges us to view AI not as a simple imitation of human intelligence, but as a continuum of adaptive systems that pose both age-old and novel ethical questions . By recognising both the promise and the limits of AI, we can better harness its strengths to serve the collective good – without mistaking a powerful tool for a cure-all solution. Professor De Florio, your academic interest in AI goes back well before the widespread adoption of large language models such as ChatGPT. In your opinion, what ethical risks arise when AI starts to mimic human intelligence? A key point is that we often presume AI imitates our intelligence, which is a rather anthropocentric view: we look at AI and say, “It’s imitating us.”. Some AI leaders predict that, within the next decade, AI will help solve complex challenges – from cancer treatments to climate change.

• Practice makes perfect. When have adults stopped believing in their dreams and have started fearing the future instead?

  Chiara Grecchi, Università Cattolica Alumn, and Professor Antonietti, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, recently developed a new research program on 5th grade students and life skills abilities: self-esteem, self-efficacy, and positivity. Chiara Grecchi is an advocate of life skills empowerment. More than the questions, Chiara pursued an end goal of fostering the students’ abilities as early as their age. But Chiara is not a fan of the term “abilities” to describe the potentials of the students. Chiara had to keep reminding herself of the core objective of her research: observe and mark the changes, whether a leap or a shift, in the students’ life skills. When Chiara guided the students to become aware of their skills, she did so in an implicit way until it was the students themselves who told Chiara they had realized that the activities were meant for their skills. Whether you are in the phase of exploring your skills or discovering any of them, what matters to Chiara is your progress in strengthening your life skills and the awareness you have throughout the process.

• Community, Culture, and Inclusiveness

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Community, Culture, and Inclusiveness Community, Culture, and Inclusiveness by Beniamina Cassetta We had the opportunity to interview Professor Luigi d’Alonzo , who is the Rector’s Delegate for Inclusion and a Full Professor of Special Education . The service that aids students with disabilities was inaugurated in 1999, and since then, the number of students using it has significantly increased. How has the academic teaching of special education changed, and what characterises it at the moment? Special education used to be thought of to help people who have disabilities or learning difficulties. That is why we changed the name of our department from "Services for the Integration of Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders" to " Services for Inclusion ." In the past, it was believed that the best way to help students who have autism, learning disabilities, or other specific conditions was to address their individual needs. How has technology positively impacted the classrooms to facilitate the inclusion of individuals with disabilities? Technology plays a crucial role in facilitating the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. During this event, students who have disabilities or specific needs invite their classmates and friends to visit the University campuses with them.

• Toward Internationalisation for All

  Then, Marina suggested a course to her Vice-Rector and thus, the idea of SUCTI was born - a course at home in the language of the institution, aimed at raising awareness of internationalisation among administrative staff outside international offices. Moreover, the administrative staff often lacked the means or were too bound by daily responsibilities to experience mobility and internationalisation abroad, but they were just as important representatives of internationalisation as the other stakeholder groups. While most higher education institutions in the questionnaire had a strategy for internationalisation and almost two-thirds of them provided training for all administrative staff, only 27% provide training in internationalisation for all staff, 18.4% for some staff and 12.3% for few staff members. Realising that the administrative staff is in fact the backbone of any university and that they are often the silent agents of internationalisation, the SUCTI founders aimed to change this perspective and systematically address the administrative staff of universities in the process of internationalisation over a three-year period. SUCTI objectives The main objectives of SUCTI were to raise awareness of internationalisation among administrative staff outside international offices and to help institutions enhance management, governance, and the identification of training needs. Development of the activities According to the needs and objectives set out at the beginning of the project, SUCTI provided the administrative staff of various universities around Europe, including Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, with knowledge, skills, and tools related to their university’s internationalisation process. CHEI and internationalisation at Università Cattolica At Università Cattolica, the SUCTI project was conducted under the supervision of the Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation (CHEI) headed by Professor Amanda Murphy.

• Gen Z. What really matters. Student satisfaction is the key

  Student satisfaction is the key Dr. Ravi Ammigan was appointed Associate Deputy Provost, International Programs, at the University of Delaware, USA, in April 2019. His doctoral research focused on the international student experience and satisfaction with campus living, and learning and support services at institutions around the world. Dr. Ravi Ammigan has researched international students’ level of satisfaction with all aspects of their experience with a view to supporting institutions in their response to student needs. Dr. Ravi Ammigan has a long-standing research interest in the international student experience and satisfaction with campus living, learning and support services at institutions around the world. Based on Dr. Ammigan’s studies, just what are the key factors to student satisfaction and in what areas can institutions improve? Dr. Ravi Ammigan has a long-standing interest in the international student experience on study abroad programs. It is possible now to know what international students might need so it is imperative for higher education institutions, through profound research and knowledge in international student mobility and higher education internationalization, to be able to provide better support services for students of different cultures.”. Commenting about the satisfaction rate for the arrival experience at institutions, Dr. Ammigan shares how the institutions can help build the relationship between international and local students.

• Global Classroom, Community Impact: The Worldbound Philosophy Through Professor Minciullo's Eyes

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Global Classroom, Community Impact: The Worldbound Philosophy Through Professor Minciullo's Eyes Global Classroom, Community Impact: The Worldbound Philosophy Through Professor Minciullo's Eyes by Adriana Maria Vargas Bermudez Università Cattolica, a hub of diverse minds. Perhaps that’s what makes Professor Minciullo so eager to teach the Bachelor of Economics and Management at Università Cattolica or to be the programme coordinator of ALTIS – Master in Sustainable Business Administration because he felt he could support fellow Worldbounders. The fact that this Professor was teaching in such a different country from his own, made him relate partly to young Professor Minciullo as they both were experiencing life abroad in a university environment and were there to learn and explore outside of their comfort zone . This Professor being very welcoming towards international students as Professor Minciullo, gave a very good first impression on what being a Worldbounder meant. After returning to Università Cattolica and earning his Master's degree , Professor Minciullo began his research and teaching career at his Alma mater. Professor Minciullo was able to experience so many opportunities: to see, to grow, to form a community and to share those we feel, are the greatest joys of being a true Worldbounder . The Professor can’t help but throw a quick smile, thinking once a Worldbounder, always a Worldbounder while he kept his pace through the international landscape of Università Cattolica.

• Rethinking research

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Rethinking research Rethinking research During the COVID-19 emergency, scientific research (from clinical trials to mathematical models, from the future of the global economy to social and psychological repercussions) has become a key player and has taken a primary role in public debates. On the other hand, the pandemic made it more difficult for universities and their researchers to access traditional research tools, such as libraries and laboratories. As you mentioned, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more difficult to access traditional research tools, but this period has favoured new research ideas and proposals. It has provoked a very strong response: in the first phase of the pandemic until summer 2020, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore presented more than 100 COVID-19 related proposals in national and international tenders, half of which were from medical scientists and the other mainly from sociologists and psychologists. A recent example of international research cooperation is the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU), an initiative promoted by the Rector and carried out by Dr Edilio Mazzoleni, Prof. Pier Sandro Cocconcelli and myself. You are viewing Roberto Zoboli is a Full professor of Economic Policy in the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Since 2015 he is the Rector’s Delegate for Scientific Research and Sustainability and, currently, Director of ASA - Graduate School on the Environment at Università Cattolica.

• Leading the Future of Medicine: Innovation, Technology, and Impact

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Leading the Future of Medicine: Innovation, Technology, and Impact Leading the Future of Medicine: Innovation, Technology, and Impact How will innovations in personalised medicine revolutionise patient care over the next decade? At Università Cattolica, she is pioneering medical education and research, equipping future doctors with the skills to integrate AI and personalised medicine into clinical practice. Inspired by a pioneering female radiologist and propelled by the challenges of the Albanian Civil War, Professor Sala embraced radiology, finding a path that merged innovation with clinical excellence. As medicine evolves, integrating AI, personalised diagnostics, and advanced imaging will be essential to delivering precise, patient-centred care. You are viewing BIO: Professor Evis Sala is a pioneering figure in oncologic imaging, seamlessly blending AI with advanced radiology to redefine cancer diagnostics. As Full Professor of Radiology at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Director of Diagnostic Imaging and Oncologic Radiotherapy Department at the Gemelli Hospital, she spearheads innovative research shaping precision medicine. A prolific scholar and thought leader, Professor Sala continues to drive the future of oncologic imaging, reinforcing Università Cattolica’s standing at the forefront of medical innovation.

• Dopamine, technology, and the future of entertainment - Part 2

  In today’s so-called “dopamine culture,” our brains are being rewired to seek constant, fast rewards – weakening our ability to focus and shortening the average attention span. Communication increasingly favors brief, emotionally charged messages; media become fragmented and distracting; and education must confront the challenge of moving beyond performance metrics. As Professor Andrea Gaggioli suggests, the answer isn’t to reject technology, but to rebuild meaning around it, through it, and because of it. At one moment, we listen to music; on another, we hear a podcast; then we use an app; then we’re on TikTok, and so on. The problem, therefore, isn’t allocating attention to each fragment, but rather, from such a fragmented experience, reconstructing a pattern, a general sense. I believe a future trend will not be so much about content or taste but about the evolution of the media in general: I think we are moving towards an immersive meta-medium, something we could call “extended media.”. Just as the Internet has encapsulated other media, I think we’ll see the development of increasingly immersive media that will encapsulate other media . Read the first part of the interview You are viewing Bio: Andrea Gaggioli is a Full Professor of General Psychology at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, where he directs the Research Center in Communication Psychology (PSICOM) and the master's programme in User Experience Psychology (UxP).

• Community and equal opportunities

  She is the first Pro-Rector delegate for Equal Opportunities , a role recently created following the publication of the first Gender Equality Plan at Università Cattolica. What are the bodies dedicated to equal opportunities at Università Cattolica and how do they work together? The Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is a policy document required by Europe for all institutions, including universities, aimed at reducing gender asymmetries across various fronts. Thanks to the GEP, two working and governance groups have been developed: the Gender Equality Team and the GEP Unit. There is also the Committee for Equal Opportunities/Committee for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, which stimulates the promotion of cultural events, oversees projects, and supervises efforts in this area. Moreover, for the first time within the university strategic plan, a dedicated working table for equal opportunities has been established, which I am responsible for alongside the Human Resources Director, Marzia Benelli. Which project do you think has contributed most to creating a community spirit within Università Cattolica? One project that exemplifies the connection of all these bodies is the recently launched Focus Team on Equal Opportunities at the University. It consists of creating working groups that allow participants to express their opinions and give suggestions for organisational change respecting the theme of equal opportunities and inclusion to improve well-being in the workplace .

• Food Anthropology, Innovation, and Community

  Home News &; Stories Research &; Faculty Food Anthropology, Innovation, and Community Food Anthropology, Innovation, and Community by Beniamina Cassetta In this Worldbound issue dedicated to food , we spoke with Professor Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco . Beniamina Cassetta : As a food anthropologist, you have conducted research on vineyards , rural landscapes , agricultural innovation in the Mediterranean , and sustainability in the Pacific . What connects these seemingly diverse fields? Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco : The starting point is a simple question: what is food? For an anthropologist, the most boring thing you can do with food is actually eat it. BC : How did your interest in food emerge? MFF : It came later, during my postdoctoral research, when I returned to Italy and was asked to work on food heritage. You are viewing Born in Alessandria in 1983, Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco is an Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Education of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore . During these formative years, he spent a significant period at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland (2006-2007), before moving to the United Kingdom to complete his PhD in Anthropology at Durham University in 2013. His expertise is further recognized through his roles as an Honorary Fellow at Durham’s Department of Anthropology, a Visiting Professor at the University of Embu, and an Honorary Professor at the Durban University of Technology’s School of Management in South Africa.

• From the Barn to the Bench and Back

  We spoke with him about passion, research excellence, and the future of sustainable food systems. How did that passion begin? For many of our students today, this field is a natural continuation of a family background in farming or agri-food. But I followed my passion for agriculture, for animal husbandry, for the agri-food world, and I have never regretted it. As for research, my thesis led naturally to a PhD, post-doctoral work, a research position, and eventually a lectureship. In the next edition, students will also engage with the Ferrero’s Innovation Center in Chicago and gain experience at the FAO , and our goal stays the same: to give them the broadest possible view of where the food sector is heading. From that collaboration, we built a lasting relationship with the University of Wisconsin–Madison: Professor Louis Ferraretto contributed to characterising the nutritional profile of these hybrids, and further joint publications have followed. What does that recognition reflect, and how is research excellence built? First of all, I am not alone in Università Cattolica and in particular in the Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences.