Lara Tavoschi is associated professor of public health in the University of Pisa. She holds a MSc in Medical Biotechnology, a PhD in Poverty-Associated diseases and MSc in Public Health.

She worked for the Italian National Institute of Health on translational research with a focus on HIV and other STIs, being based in South Africa for more than 5 years. She served in the scientific advice section of the ECDC, focusing on blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections. She coordinated the development of European guidance documents on prevention and control of HIV and viral hepatitis.

Currently she coordinates regional, national and European projects on primary and secondary prevention of blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections, and access to care for vulnerable populations. Since 2020 she has been member of the WHO Health in Prison Project Steering Group. In 2022 she was appointed by the Ministry of Health member of the National Health Committee on HIV/AIDS.

Lecture

On the Importance of Drinking Responsibly

28 Jan, 15:45-16:30, Online

Alcohol, while deeply ingrained in many cultures and social traditions, presents significant public health challenges worldwide. This lecture will delve into the multifaceted impacts of alcohol on health, highlighting its role as a risk factor for a wide range of conditions, from liver disease and cancer to mental health disorders and accidents. We will explore the epidemiological data, the socioeconomic implications, and the health systems’ burden associated with alcohol-related diseases. Additionally, we will examine disparities in alcohol consumption and its health effects across different populations.

Born in the Tuscany countryside, Silvia Rolandi is an International Agri-food law lawyer. Graduated in International Private Law at the University of Pisa and a post-graduate course in International Trade Law at ITC-ILO in Torino. While visiting the Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy, University of California Los Angeles, Silvia earned her PhD from the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Politics, Human Rights, and Sustainability.

She works in her law firm and is an assistant professor at the University of Pisa, within the Pisa Agricultural Economics Team - Food and Rural Studies for Sustainability, mainly focusing on digitalization in agriculture and rural areas, but also dealing with other issues and Lecturer in the Netherlands at Wageningen University and Research within the Law Group. She has been a Slow Food activist since 2008 and is currently a member of her local convivium and the regional committee.

Lecture

Wine Legislation

05 Feb, 10:00-11:45, @Podere La Chiesa

Whether it occurred by accident or design, the invention of wine has been lauded as a fundamental achievement in human history. Wine’s preeminent role in sacred and secular life throughout the millennia is celebrated in literature, arts, religious rituals, and the culinary field. Wine production and trade have created great economic wealth, it has been the cause of many conflicts and spurred territorial conquests. For thousands of years, wine has played an important role as an agricultural product that ensures a livelihood for producers and distributors, and a legal framework has always accompanied this. There are rules concerning how to trade the wine, provide information to consumers, enhance territorial linkages through quality schemes, and the role played by group producers and associations. We will focus on this last part, the legal dimension, to provide an initial tool kit pack to navigate the intricated existing rules.

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.