Chiara Mignani is Post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Pisa. She obtained her industrial PhD in Human Sciences: psychology, communication and social sciences at the University of Macerata (UNIMC).

During her PhD she gain experience in applied research in sensory analysis, consumer science and neuromarketing at the Italian Centre for Sensory Analysis (CIAS). As a visiting PhD student, she spent several months at the Department of Agri-Food Economics and Marketing at the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, working on Food Policy and Marketing Research Methods.

She currently works as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Pisa on innovation adoption processes in agriculture, digitisation in rural areas, the twin transition and agri-food marketing.

Her main research interests are: innovation in agriculture and rural areas, rural development strategies, agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS), digital ecosystems in rural areas.

Lectures

Setting the Stage – Wine Beyond Sustainability World Café 

03 Feb, 16:30-18:00, @Aula Magna, Department of Agriculture Food and Environment

Step into a vibrant World Café workshop where to tackle key challenges through open dialogue and shared insights between you and the Tuscan Wine Route Federation representatives. Together, deepen connections within the wine routes network and explore innovative ideas, shaping a brighter future for all.

Former Academic Writing lecturer at the University of Pisa, Alessandra Meoni, is currently working within the International Office as part of the Circle U. alliance and dedicates her expertise to fostering collaboration among European universities through Circle U., focusing on innovative and interdisciplinary educational initiatives.
Her professional interests include internationalisation, academic cooperation, and developing programs that bridge diverse academic and cultural perspectives.

Lecture

Speaking the Language of Wine: Multilingual Insights for Tasting and Marketing 

30 Jan, 15:00-15:45, Online

Dive into the technical vocabulary of wine in Italian and English, exploring essential terms for tasting and marketing. This interactive webinar invites students from the nine Circle U. universities to contribute precise and colloquial expressions in their native languages, creating a vibrant bridge between culture, language, and the art of wine

Heleen Geerts, alumna of The Hague University of Applied Sciences (European Studies, 2000) returned to The Hague in 2005 after having worked for international entreprises. Here she began her career as a knowledge broker at the SME/service-entrepreneur desk ‘Regiondirector' of THUAS. Her increasing involvement with the educational Entrepreneurship program led to lecturing more frequently, earning a master's degree in Strategic Management (Partnership Management), and becoming a lecturer-researcher at the Designing Value Networks research group. Her work focuses on systemic co-design research regarding eco-systems and experimental learning environments like living labs and exploring value networks for transitions across entrepreneurial contexts.

A significant part of her academic journey involved a research project Future Proof Retail, where Heleen contributed to developing, organizing, and facilitating knowledge exchange between eight national, locally-focused living labs. The knowledge gathered was published in two books on How to Innovate with Living Labs. This experience led to her involvement in the establishment of the THUAS Learning Community ‘Haagse Labs’ and the development of a Retail Innovation & Experience Campus in the Hague region in collaboration with a diverse public-private consortium. Heleen later served as vocational professor (practor) for new retail & entrepreneurship at the Regional Vocational institution ROC Mondriaan.

With the motto "From ego to eco-system," Heleen is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and inclusive society. Heleen's involvement in public-private collaborations and entrepreneurship, demonstrates her commitment to dynamic learning environments where experimenting, learning, innovating and creating are central. On behalf of THUAS, she collaborates with researchers, companies, educational institutions and the local, regional and international community to co-create innovative solutions.

Lectures

Tips and tricks of appreciative enquiry

03 Feb, 18.00-18.30, @Aula Magna, Department of Agriculture Food and Environment

Prototyping expedition workshop

05 Feb, 15:00-16:00, @Podere La Chiesa 

Do you know that 95% of the knowledge we have is concentred on the tip of our fingers and despite our efforts to verbalize it or bring it into creative motion, it doesn’t always come across. So, why not reframing the above and start with action before reflection? Lego® Serious Play® is the methodology that enables you to subconsciously arrive at new worlds, co-design, listen, engage and have all voices heard, while of course having fun and trusting the flow of the process!
Let us embark on this expedition together and prototype the sustainable future of wine!

Sip & Tell: crafting captivating Stories along the Wine Routes

06 Feb, 10:30-11:30, @Centro Avanzi

Interested in bringing your message across and engaging the audience to think along with you? Curious on what it takes to have the participants of your presentation in an awe? And how to make this interactive? Then this shall be the workshop to immerse yourselves in tools and techniques to make that happen.
Stories are the magic that makes people remember something forever since they do not just touch and open your mind but also plant seeds in your heart and speak to your emotions, let us see together how this happens in practice. 

Annapia Ferrara is post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Environment of the University of Pisa, Italy, specializing in social inclusion within rural and remote areas. Her research explores the integration of marginalized groups within the sustainable transition of food and tourism systems, emphasizing the transformative potential of social entrepreneurship. Grounded in participatory action-research, the methodologies used aim to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration to address challenges in achieving sustainable and inclusive transitions.

She is strongly passionate about working with students. She encourages opportunities for them to engage with real-world challenges and develop practical and transversal skills. As a team coach, she aims to promote creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, thus cultivating a positive and dynamic environment that fosters students' idea-flowing, agency, and empowerment.

Lectures

Setting the Stage – Wine Beyond Sustainability World Café 

03 Feb, 16:30-18:00, @Aula Magna, Department of Agriculture Food and Environment

Step into a vibrant World Café workshop where to tackle key challenges through open dialogue and shared insights between you and the Tuscan Wine Route Federation representatives. Together, deepen connections within the wine routes network and explore innovative ideas, shaping a brighter future for all.

Vesna Damnjanović is a Professor of Marketing and President of Council at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade. She is Vice President at the Executive Board of Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia.  

She gained her Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing at the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK.

Her main research themes include innovation management, business case solving methodology and marketing strategy. 

Vesna is Founder and Managing Director of the Belgrade Business International case Competition, among the top ten case competitions in the world and was the mentor of many winning students’ teams at global case competitions.

Lecture

Wine Marketing Innovation Strategy

24 Jan, 15:00-15:45, Online

- Explaining positioning strategy for the wine industry: Example from Topola Serbia
- Marketing and sales innovation strategy for Bodegas Torres wine brand from Spain

Alessio Cavicchi is Full Professor in Agribusiness, Rural Development and Branding – Rector’s Delegate for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Culture and Innovation at the University of Pisa. His research activity focuses on the analysis of consumers’ choice on local and quality products, of sustainable tourism and of innovation processes in the agri-food sector and in rural areas.

He published more than 200 papers and chapters in national and international journals and books. He is co-editor of the Book Series “Consumer Science and Strategic Marketing” published by Elsevier.  

He has been coordinator and partner of several European projects Horizon, Erasmus+ Knowledge Alliances and Strategic Partnerships on the collaboration between universities, business and territory.

He has been an invited speaker and external expert for the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the World Tourism Organization and the European Commission (specifically Joint Research Center, DG Regio, DG Education and Culture, DG Agri e DG RTD) on topics concerning innovation of agri-food and rural areas and the collaboration between universities and territorial stakeholders.

Lecture

A Glimpse into Wine Market and Wine Tourism

03 Feb, 15:15-16:00, @ Aula Magna, Department of Agriculture Food and Environment

This seminar explores the Italian wine market and the growing importance of wine tourism. It delves into the dynamics of the global and domestic wine markets, analysing trends, competition, and consumer behavior. Special attention is given to Tuscany, a key player in the Italian wine sector, and on the role of the Strade del Vino, dell’Olio e dei Sapori di Toscana initiative. These wine and food routes have been crucial in promoting regional identity, enhancing tourism, and fostering local economies. The seminar also addresses challenges faced by the Wine Routes federation, including sustainability, market saturation, and the integration of wine tourism into broader economic strategies, offering insights into how regions like Tuscany need to respond to these challenges through innovative approaches and strategic collaborations.

Graziella Benedetto is Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics of the University of Sassari.

She teaches Marketing of agri-food products at the University of Sassari and WINE Marketing at the University of Turin, in Asti.

She is a member of the national association "Le donne del vino" (Women in Wine) and a member of the International Organisation of Vineyard and Wine (OIV) as an Italian expert/delegate.

She deals with local development and territorial marketing, quality agri-food districts; foodies and creative cities and, more recently, she started researching on the application of the blockchain. She has been the President of the Single Guarantee Committee of the University of Sassari since November 2022.

Her research activity is attested by more than 120 printed publications in national and international scientific journals and book chapters.

Lecture

Wine Wisdom Bites: Comparative Cases from Sardinia

06 Feb, 10:00-10:30, @Centro Avanzi

This session explores the journey of establishing the Quality Agri-Food District of Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, focusing on a territorial marketing perspective. It examines the challenges faced by the wine sector and tourism in Sardinia, including collaboration among actors, sustainability, market positioning, and the integration of wine tourism into broader economic strategies. The session also analyses the critical issues encountered during participatory processes. Finally, it highlights the contents of the recently approved project "TWINE: Towards the Twin Transition of the Quality Agri-Food District of Vermentino di Gallura DOCG," detailing its goals and implementation plan for 2025–2027. 

Dan Banik is professor of political science, director of the Oslo SDG Initiative at the Centre for Development and the Environment, and affiliate professor at Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. He is also Academic Director of the Democracy Hub at Circle U. European University Alliance and Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria. His books include Political Transition, Poverty, and Inclusive Development in Malawi: The Democratic Dividend; Poverty and Elusive Development; and Starvation and India’s Democracy. He is the host of the In Pursuit of Development podcast with listeners in 160 countries.

Lecture

Sustainable Development: From Global Goals to Local Action

04 Feb, 16:30-17:30, @Podere Scurtarola

This lecture bridges the theoretical and practical dimensions of sustainable development, exploring global challenges and local solutions. Starting with an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it examines the intersections of environmental, economic, and social sustainability, addressing pressing issues such as climate disruption, extreme poverty, and geopolitical tensions. The session will then focus on practical applications, drawing insights from Tuscany’s wine districts. Through case studies and examples, students will analyze how sustainable development theories align with real-world practices, particularly in the wine industry, where climate resilience, resource management, and economic sustainability intersect.

The lecture highlights innovative strategies used by wine producers, such as agritourism, direct-to-consumer sales, and certifications (organic, biodynamic, carbon-neutral) to balance profitability with ecological responsibility. By integrating theoretical frameworks with observations from field visits, students will gain a nuanced understanding of how global sustainability goals translate into local action.

This interactive session encourages critical reflection, inviting students to evaluate the progress and challenges of achieving sustainability and to consider its practical, ethical, and political implications across industries and contexts.

Tutte le informazioni al link: https://bandi.unipi.it/public/Bandi/Detail/d305fa1a-403f-47f6-ac89-08916bded7ad 

Venerdì 24 gennaio, alle ore 21.00, andrà in scena al Teatro Nuovo lo spettacolo interattivo dal titolo "The Game: il gioco degli avatar-migranti!", una produzione Binario Vivo – Teatro Nuovo con il contributo di Creative Europe.

La regia è di Gianluca Iumiento, con Giusi Emanuela Iannone, Silvia Lazzeri, Paolo Leccisotto, Carlo Scorrano.

"The Game" è il termine utilizzato dai migranti per descrivere l'attraversamento illegale delle frontiere, con l’obiettivo di raggiungere le nazioni più prospere dell’Unione Europea. Binario Vivo, dopo aver dedicato due anni a ricerche approfondite e studi sul campo, ha creato uno spettacolo teatrale che si distingue per la sua natura provocatoria e la sua interattività, affrontando temi complessi come l’immigrazione e le severe difficoltà incontrate durante questi viaggi della "speranza". Attraverso una reinterpretazione creativa del termine “The Game”, che qui assume una connotazione più giocosa, gli attori si cimentano in un’avventura simile a un videogioco assumendo il ruolo di avatar - migranti chiamati a superare una serie di sfide fisiche e umilianti per superare i confini lungo la rotta balcanica. 

Sabato 25 gennaio, alle ore 21.00, andrà in scena presso il Teatro Nuovo lo spettacolo dal titolo "“Il valore del silenzio”, ovvero storie di solitudine", diretto da Massimo Corevi, direttore dell'Associazione Lungofiume.

Il silenzio non è mai vuoto, è uno spazio di riflessione, ricordo e rivelazione. Tre sedie in scena, il buio. Tre personaggi alle prese con la stessa condizione esistenziale. Benedetta Giuntini, Letizia Pardi e Atos Davini sono i tre protagonisti del nuovo lavoro del regista pisano che porta sul palco anche Irene Cannata e Niccolò Di Gaggio, ovvero La Famiglia Danzante. Due donne e un uomo diversi per età e condizione sociale; eppure, simili di fronte al disagio di un tratto caratteristico che li unisce: la solitudine. 

Domenica 26 gennaio, alle ore 17.00, andrà in scena al Teatro Nuovo lo spettacolo per bambini dal titolo "Alla ricerca del Re Sentiunpò!" , una produzione Binario Vivo con la regia di Carlo Scorrano.
La storia è quella di un re che non ha mai visto nessuno, il Re Sentiunpò: ama le storie  gira per il mondo per ascoltarne il più possibile, meglio se nuove. Un famoso raccontastorie con il suo prode aiutante sono sulle sue tracce da anni. Hanno girato in lungo e in largo i quattro angoli del mondo senza risultato, ma, quando stanno per rinunciare, un colpo di scena riaprirà il dipanarsi della storia.

Il costo del biglietto ridotto per studenti, docenti e dipendenti dell'Università è di 10 euro.

Botteghino del teatro (piazza della Stazione, 16, Pisa) aperto martedì e giovedì dalle 16.00 alle 19.00 e a partire da un'ora prima dell'inizio degli spettacoli.

Prevendite online: https://www.ciaotickets.com/it/location/teatro-nuovo-pisa 
Per partecipare agli spettacoli del Teatro Nuovo è richiesta la tessera associativa annuale di Binario Vivo (costo 3 euro).
Tesseramento online: https://www.cloud32.it/GES/pub/iscrisocio/232333/01 

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