A group of five students from Lusófona University, accompanied by Professor and CICANT researcher Rui Antunes, participated in the second TRANSPER pilot workshop, held in Genoa from 13 to 17 April 2026.
Hosted within the PERFOLAB Genova initiative, the workshop brought together students from Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Spain, representing diverse fields such as videogames, acting, digital humanities, and computer engineering. The pilot focused on transdisciplinary methodologies at the intersection of performing arts and technology, under the central theme of cultural welfare and well-being.
Throughout the week, participants explored how art-driven technologies can contribute to health, inclusion, and social cohesion, while also critically examining their limitations. Rather than assuming technology is inherently beneficial, the workshop encouraged reflection on challenges such as digital exclusion, information overload, and the mismatch between technological solutions and users’ real needs.
The programme combined theoretical sessions and hands-on activities, including workshops on interactive machine learning, motion capture, and augmented cultural experiences. Students worked in interdisciplinary teams to develop experimental concepts for engaging with cultural and artistic content, ranging from interactive performances to participatory installations.
Rui Antunes contributed to the programme by presenting results from the Lisbon pilot, reinforcing the continuity of the TRANSPER project and its collaborative framework across European institutions.
The pilot concluded with project presentations and a roundtable discussion, highlighting the importance of human-centred approaches to technology and the role of artistic practices in shaping more inclusive and meaningful cultural experiences.