Events

On Thursday, 15 October 2026, the University of Turin will host the final workshop of the UNITA Starting Grant research project “The Role of Living Biofilms in Plastic Degradation in Freshwaters.” The event will explore how living biofilms interact with and contribute to the degradation of plastics in freshwater environments. The programme will bring together environmental chemistry, biofilm ecology, ecophysiology and microbiology, with a particular focus on diatoms and bacteria. Researchers from the University of Turin, Le Mans Université and the Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour will present the project’s activities and initial findings. Topics will include the experimental design of the Alpstream mesocosms, the role of benthic communities in river biofilms, methods for identifying and quantifying polymers in plastic materials, prokaryotic biofilm diversity in aquatic environments, and the use of fluorescence and photosynthetic activity as indicators of microalgal health. The workshop will conclude with a discussion on the project’s results and future research perspectives. The event offers an opportunity to learn more about an interdisciplinary Italy-France collaboration supported by a UNITA Starting Grant for Research. Practical information Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026 Time: 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Venue: Aula A “Lenti”, Via Michelangelo 27, Turin Participation: Free of charge, with mandatory registration Register for the workshop Full program

The University of Zaragoza, UNIZAR, and the Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour organize the 6th Cross-Border Student Meeting. Decarbonisation and Sustainable Development. • Dates: From 15th October (departure from Zaragoza: 16:00) to 17th October 2026 (return to Zaragoza: 22:00). • Location: Jaca Student Residence. • Participants: A total of 60 students (25 from the University of Zaragoza, 25 from the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, and 10 from UNITA Alliance member universities). • Target Audience: Students interested in decarbonisation — in all its many facets — and sustainable development. • Objective: Promote cross-cutting skills in a cross-border, multilingual environment (French and Spanish preferred) in response to a challenge. • Expenses: Train travel from Zaragoza/Pau to Jaca, accommodation, and meals are 100% covered by the cross-border project, UNIZAR, UPPA, the UNITA Alliance, and the regional governments of Aragon and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Additional nights (2 max.) for UNITA students will be covered if necessary. 📋 SELECTION CRITERIA • Academic record: 50% • Language proficiency: 25% (B1 = 10 pts, B2 = 20 pts, C1/C2 = 25 pts) • Order of registration: 15% • Degree programme diversity: 10% (Extra points for under-represented programmes) Full program

On Thursday, 29 October 2026, the University of Turin will host the international conference “Il turismo che cambia: scenari, sfide e opportunità a confront” (Changing Tourism: Comparing Scenarios, Challenges and Opportunities), the final event of the Université d’Été “Enhancing the Cross-Border Region: Cultural and Sustainable Tourism in the Franco-Italian Alpine Macro-Region”. The initiative will provide an opportunity to present and explore the outcomes of the programme while encouraging dialogue among Italian and international scholars. The conference will examine the transformation of tourism through three sessions focusing on scenarios, challenges and opportunities. Topics will include sustainability, cultural transformations, new forms of travel, and the enhancement of historical, cultural and territorial heritage. The event will conclude with a round-table discussion. Practical information Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026 Time: 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., with a lunch break at 1:00 p.m. Venue: Graduation Hall, “Aldo Moro” Complex, third floor Address: Via Sant’Ottavio 18, Turin Contact: laura.bonato@unito.it – cristina.trinchero@unito.it The event is organised by the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Modern Cultures of the University of Turin, with the support of the Antonella Salvatico Cultural Association and Open Tourism. The project received the Label grant from the Italo-French University. Full program

The University of Turin will host on 30–31 October 2026 the International Workshop on Citizen Science, as a final event of the SPHERE project. In the framework of UNITA Starting grants, SPHERE promotes Citizen Science as an innovative research methodology, with a particular focus on Global Health. Its main initiatives include the online course Citizen Science for Global Health and the call for an AWARD for IDEAS in Citizen Science & Global Health. To conclude this journey, Sphere plans to strengthen the network it has built over the past year by organizing a workshop that will bring together researchers and professionals to share and discuss their research, projects, and experiences in Citizen Science. While primarily aimed at UNITA Alliance members, the event welcomes anyone interested in the topic. The workshop will be held in the Aula Magna of the Cavallerizza Reale, Via Giuseppe Verdi 9, in central Turin. Participation is free of charge, but places are limited. We encourage collegaues from the UNITA and Geminae Universities to register and submit an abstract to present your work. Registration: CLICK HERE Abstract submission: CLICK HERE Deadline for both registration and abstract submission: 15 October 2026 For information, write to sphere@unito.it  

The UNITA Alliance is pleased to announce the UNITA Annual Conference 2026. This year’s thematic section focuses on "European Identity, Politics of Memory, and Engaging Europe's Totalitarian Past", integrated within Panel 17 of the ACUM 2026 Conference, which will take place on 5 November at Transilvania University of Brașov. Venue: “Sergiu T. Chiriacescu” Conference Centre, Transilvania University of Brașov Date: 5 November 2026 | 08:30–17:00 More information about the UNITA Annual Conference. More information about the general conference (ACUM 2026).