Discussion groups 2026
Please choose during your registration the discussion group you would like to join.
Dark Patterns in Software Systems: Ethics in the Age of Digital Games, Artificial Intelligence, and Social Media
Participants: min 8 max 40
Dark patterns are deceptive or manipulative design practices employed in software systems to influence users to perform actions they would not otherwise choose to perform. These practices exploit cognitive biases, limit transparency and hide important information, benefiting the designer, company or platform — often at the user’s expense. Through guided discussions and examples that include digital games, artificial intelligence, and social media, we will examine the ethical and legal implications of dark patterns. The aim is to encourage reflection on design choices and suggest alternative approaches that promote transparency, user control and respect.
Moderators
Eduardo Martins Guerra: Researcher in Software Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Member of the Hillside Group, a non-profit organization that promotes the use of patterns and pattern languages.
Katharina Isabel Brickenstein Hofschen: AI and Cloud Engineer at rbb’s (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg) IVZ (Informations-Verarbeitungs-Zentrum) and unibz alumna of the Master in Computational Data Science.
Exploring intercultural and multilingual dynamics at work
Participants: min 5 max 20
This workshop focuses on the way multilingual and intercultural contexts shape communication, collaboration, and team dynamics in professional settings. The session invites participants to consider how linguistic and cultural backgrounds influence everyday interactions, the interpretation of situations, and ways of working together. Drawing on practical workplace situations, participants will engage in shared reflection and exchange perspectives on the relevance of multilingual and intercultural competences in professional environments. Through discussion and group work, the session creates space to explore how these dimensions are experienced, understood, and can be used as resources in the workplace.
Moderators
Gatti Maria: Professor of Language and linguistics interculturality at the Faculty of Education.
Tappeiner Iris Maria: Head of the Career Service.
Hydrogen and decarbonization of Energy System
Participants: 5 – 30
This discussion group focuses on the intersection of technological innovation and economic sustainability on a global scale. Key topics include the evolution of hydrogen technologies, strategies for decarbonising the energy system and the wider economic impact of switching to cleaner energy sources around the world.
Moderators:
Renzi Massimiliano: Professor of Fluid machines and energy systems at the Faculty of Engineering and Degree Course director of the Bachelor in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering.
Koubassi Mohamed: Business Development Manager at VERBUND Green Hydrogen and unibz alumnus of the Master in Energy Engineering.
Sustainable & Accessible Tourism: Practical approaches and concrete solutions to help hospitality stakeholders overcome future challenges
Participants: min 5 max 30
A practical, implementation-oriented discussion on tools to embed sustainability and accessibility across hotels and other lodging services. We’ll focus on two pillars:
- Engaging guests to actively adopt sustainable behaviors (e.g., energy and water savings, food-waste reduction) through design, nudges, and transparent reporting
- Building inclusive, barrier-free experiences via universal design, new technologies, and staff training
Moderators
Claudia Cozzio: Professor in the Tourism Management at the Faculty of Economics and Management.
Noemi Zulberti: Recent unibz alumna of the Master in Tourism Management, completed the thesis on “Mapping experiences and critical issues of accessible tourism: A dual perspective on supply and demand” and unibz alumna of the Bachelor in Communication.
Wine and vision: Current threats and future trends
Participants: min 5 max 40
The world of wine is at a crossroads. Producers, researchers and professionals alike are feeling the effects of climate uncertainty, shifting consumer habits and sustainability pressures, which are no longer abstract topics, but daily challenges.
This discussion group provides an open forum for alumni and wine professionals to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas regarding the current state of the wine sector and its potential future direction.
Moderators
Andreotti Carlo: Professor of Fruit Production and Viticulture at the Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences.
Boselli Emanuele: Professor of Food Science and Technology at the Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, and Head of the Oenolab (research and development team specialising in winemaking and the production of alcoholic beverages).
Bruni Federico: Wine Consultant at the Wine and Agri-Food Processing Unit of the Edmund Mach Foundation and unibz alumnus of the Master in Viticulture, Enology and Wine Marketing.
Wool as a Binder: Entangling Ecologies, Practices, and Futures
Participants: min 6 max 15
Wool has connections to the social, ecological, cultural and economic realms. In South Tyrol and across Europe, a lot of local wool is wasted or undervalued. However, the unique properties of wool offer strong metaphors for rethinking connections and sustainability. This roundtable will explore new ideas for the sustainable future of wool by using the material and the concept of wool to unite diverse perspectives. Participants are encouraged to discuss how wool can reshape our understanding of circularity, care, labour and ecological responsibility, inspiring collaboration and forward-thinking solutions.
Moderators
Ugur Yavuz Seçil: Professor of Design at the Faculty of Design and Art and Degree Course director of the Master in Eco-Social Design.
Bektaş Merve: Researcher at the unibz Competence Centre for Mountain Innovation Ecosystems and on the “Feral Wool” project, project leader of the WOLB Wollelab and unibz alumna of the Master in Eco-Social Design.