Areas and lines of research

Research activity at the "Suor Orsola Benincasa" University has developed on the basis of a few inspiring principles: strong cultural roots and close links with the city; strong relationship between research and teaching, especially where technology and Human Sciences intersect; the importance of practical application and implementation of research findings.

These principles translate into the University research agenda, which is set at the departmental level first, identifying and assessing common topics of interest, areas of inter-disciplinary collaboration and new directions for the wider debate within the different scientific communities.

The main lines of research, all open to cross-fertilization, are as follows:
- Digital humanities for cultural and creative industries;
- Technologies for cultural heritage;
- Law of technologies and digital markets;
- Green economy and technological innovation;
- Personal protection, technological innovation and sustainability;
- Communication design and new media;
- Social Innovation and new methodologies for social research;
- Learning innovation with special reference to new technologies for education and scenarios determined by cognitive neuro-sciences;
- Interaction technologies and inclusive ergonomics.

These research lines are developed within the Departments (vertical research axis), whereas the University Inter-departmental Centre for Development and Research "Scienza Nuova" supports transversal lines of research (horizontal research axis), of which the main ones are: user experience, interaction design, simulation models for complex phenomena and socio-technical systems, new scenarios for integration of communication approaches and cross-media, topics relating to virtual and augmented reality, mixed reality, the domain of technology to boost creativity, technological innovation for advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods for Human Sciences.

In terms of the University vision, the European dimension of research is taking on a more important role, as is evidenced by the decision to open an Office of International Affairs in Brussels, to monitor the funding opportunities offered by EU project Calls and to develop potential business ideas.