Inspiration Stage: Science for Society

Meet the next generation of researchers driving change across disciplines. In this session, the winners of the UNA Europa PhD Impact Award present their groundbreaking work in short inspiring talks, from sustainability to data science and AI, from future materials and technology to One Health. These awardees show how research today can spark real impact for tomorrow.

Una Europa is an alliance of 11 European universities. The Una Europa PhD Impact Award recognises and celebrates the impact, and potential impact, of research and researchers. Doctoral researchers in the fields of One Health, Sustainability, Data Science and AI and Future Materials and Technology were invited to reflect on their research practice and consider how it impacts on society and contributes to the world. Four winners were selected by an interdisciplinary jury.

Please note: Unfortunately, Abdelkarim El-Hajjami will be unable to join us on the Inspiration Stage. Virginia Negri will be presenting instead.

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11:00 - 11:15 | Eva Karin Rohlfer, University of Helsinki

Carbon and the Coast: What the Baltic Seafloor Reveals

Discover how the Baltic seafloor stores and releases carbon—and why it matters for climate.

Coastal seafloors are dynamic components of the global carbon cycle. In shallow regions such as the northern Baltic Sea, sediments, vegetation, and animals interact to store and release carbon, forming so-called “blue carbon” ecosystems. These systems can function as long-term sinks, but under certain conditions also become sources of carbon emissions.​Recent research in the Finnish Archipelago presents one of the first comprehensive benthic carbon budgets across multiple habitats and seasons, assessing carbon stocks and fluxes in sediments, plants, and seafloor animals. The results show that sediments act as relatively stable reservoirs. At the same time, vegetation and animals drive strong seasonal dynamics of uptake and release.​By highlighting the variability and interconnectedness of coastal habitats, this work underscores both their potential and fragility in regulating the climate. Protecting and monitoring these ecosystems is crucial for maintaining their vital role in the global carbon cycle.

11:15 -  11:30 | Virginia Negri,  University of Bologna

From Data to Decisions: AI in Modern Power Systems

How can we make power grids smarter and more reliable?

How can artificial intelligence make our power grids smarter and more reliable? This talk explores how AI can enhance electrical measurements, predict faults, and improve energy efficiency, paving the way toward more intelligent, sustainable, and resilient energy systems.

 11:30 - 11:45 | Angelica Giovagnoli, University of Bologna

Smart Materials, Greener Planet: Cellulose can Power Next Generation Packaging

Fully cellulose-based packaging for a greener and high-performance future.

In my talk, I will highlight the crucial role of scientific research in revolutionizing the fossil-based packaging industry by making it safe for the environment, the economy, and human health. I will emphasize how innovation driven by science can lead to sustainable alternatives that address the pressing global challenges related to packaging waste and pollution. Additionally, I will explore the importance of promoting a scientific approach to change, stressing that effective communication between industry and academia is essential. This direct dialogue not only fosters collaboration but also inspires and motivates students to engage in research aimed at creating a better world across multiple dimensions. By bridging the gap between companies and universities, we can accelerate the development of eco-friendly solutions and empower the next generation of scientists to contribute meaningfully to sustainability.

11:45 - 12:00 | Marina Lovichi-Acquaviva, University Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne

Protecting Animals through the Environment : A One Health Legal Approach

Rethinking animal law through One Health: protecting animals, nature, and humanity’s shared future together.

My research explores how environmental law can renew and strengthen the legal status of animals. Current animal protection laws are fragmented, inconsistent, and often speciesist, while environmental law offers broader, systemic tools to protect life as a whole. By linking animals more closely to biodiversity and ecosystem protection, my approach aims to move beyond selective or discriminatory protection and recognize all animals as part of the living world that sustains us. Protecting animals and nature together not only promotes justice for non-human beings but also ensures human well-being, since safeguarding biodiversity ultimately means safeguarding humanity’s own future.
 

12:00 - 12:20 | Meet the Una Europa Scientists

Meet the Scientists Session

Stay around for an informal networking session: ask your own questions, start a conversation, and connect directly with the speakers.