Arqus Knowledge Pills

Arqus European University Alliance

Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Lyon 1, Maynooth, Minho, Padua, Vilnius and Wroclaw, together are Arqus, an Alliance that specifically focuses on people, on students, researchers, teachers and everyone who works in European higher education. Together we want to build a multicultural, multilingual and inclusive Europe that is ready for all the challenges to come. How do we want to do that? Well, join in and listen. This is the Arqus podcast. This is “Arqus Knowledge Pills”.

  1. #48: What do Ironman triathlons and brain regeneration have in common?

    HACE 1 D

    #48: What do Ironman triathlons and brain regeneration have in common?

    How does the grit required to finish one of the world’s toughest endurance races translate to the delicate work of repairing the human spinal cord? What happens when we stop looking at cells as the cure and start looking at the "secretome"—the potent signals they leave behind? Find out the answers to these questions and more as António Salgado discusses his work and unique trajectory in this episode of Knowledge Pills. From the microscopic signals of Central Nervous System (CNS) regeneration to the high-stakes environment of university leadership, this episode explores the multidisciplinary mindset needed to solve modern mysteries. Professor Salgado explains the shift toward "cell-free" therapies and discusses how close we are to seeing these lab discoveries transition into clinical treatments for conditions like Parkinson’s. He outlines why "cross-talk" between biology, engineering, and neuroscience—the core of his ReNEU team—is the only way to tackle complex medical challenges. In this episode, we discuss Prof. Salgado’s research at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) and his dual role as the Vice-Rector for Research and Science Policy at the University of Minho. He offers vital career advice for the next generation of European researchers and reveals how the discipline of long-distance triathlons maintains his mental resilience in a high-stakes academic career. ------ Learn more about António Salgado António Salgado is the Vice-Rector for Research and Science Policy at the University of Minho and a Coordinating Investigator at the ICVS. A leading expert in CNS repair, he focuses on developing innovative therapies for Spinal Cord Injury and Parkinson’s Disease using Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) secretomes and ECM-like hydrogels. he is the President of the Portuguese Society for Stem Cells and Cell Therapies and has been recognized with the Gulbenkian Award and the Prize Melo e Castro. Beyond the lab, he is a multiple-time triathlete and Ironman finisher.

    24 min
  2. #47: How can we bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice?

    13 ABR

    #47: How can we bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice?

    In an era of rapid technological change and evolving social dynamics, how can university courses prepare students for the ethical and practical challenges of the professional world? What does it mean to "practice" inclusion and care within a classroom setting? These are the central questions explored by Claudia Padovani (University of Padova) and Silvia Kober (University of Graz), winners of the 2025 Arqus Teaching Excellence Award. As traditional teaching models are challenged, educators must find new ways to engage diverse student bodies through interdisciplinarity, gamification, and hands-on collaboration. This discussion delves into the complexities of "good teaching," emphasizing the importance of valuing student voices and creating meaningful connections between the classroom and global professional networks. For the 47th episode of the Arqus podcast, "How can we bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice?", Professor Padovani and Senior Scientist Kober share their unique experiences in transforming the learning environment. They offer a deep dive into how interactive labs and gender-sensitive research can empower students to become active participants in both their education and society. ------- Learn more about them Claudia Padovani: Associate Professor in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Padova, Claudia Padovani, her work on the global governance of communication focuses on bridging the gap between media policy and social justice, with a particular emphasis on gender equality and communication rights. Beyond her academic research, she serves as the Director of the Elena Cornaro Center for Gender Studies and is the reference person for the Scholars at Risk network at her university. Nationally and internationally, she co-chairs key working groups within IAMCR and the UNESCO UniTWIN Network, where she is currently exploring the intersections of Gender Justice, AI, and Digital Governance. Silvia Kober Senior Scientist at the University of Graz, Silvia Kober specializes in Neuropsychology and Human-Computer Interaction. With a background as a clinical, health, and emergency psychologist, she heads the neuroscience laboratory "PsyLab," where she employs advanced neuroscientific methods like EEG and fMRI. Her research and teaching are dedicated to the development of innovative technological tools for neuropsychological rehabilitation, including virtual reality and brain-computer interfaces (BCI). Known for her "playful" and hands-on pedagogical approach—including the use of "exit-the-lab" games—she strives to provide students with both the practical skills and the critical perspective necessary to navigate the future of neurotechnology.

    28 min
  3. #46: Why are people moving back to the city?

    16 MAR

    #46: Why are people moving back to the city?

    How do our housing needs evolve as we move through different stages of life? What happens when the quiet life in the suburbs no longer fits the reality of aging or raising a family? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Katarzyna Kajdanek discusses her work in this episode of Knowledge Pills. From the initial allure of a garden and extra space to the logistical exhaustion of car dependency, this episode explores the "life-course perspective" of housing. Professor Kajdanek outlines how suburban environments, often designed for young families, can become sites of isolation for teenagers and hurdles for seniors. She provides a deeper understanding of the "return to the city" phenomenon, where accessibility and independence become more valuable than a suburban backyard. In this episode we  discuss prof. Kajdanek’s  research into reurbanization and the challenges of aging in suburban Poland. She offers insight into why the suburban dream doesn't always match reality, touching on surprising factors like environmental quality, social inequality, and the shifting definitions of success for newer generations. ------------ Katarzyna Kajdanek is an Associate Professor of Urban Sociology at the University of Wrocław. Her research focuses on the social-spatial manifestations of urbanization processes and issues of regional and local identity. She is particularly active in the field of applied social sciences, investigating how people move between cities and suburbs across their lives—and why.

    46 min
  4. #45: The intersection of African life narratives, political ecologies and human rights

    19 FEB

    #45: The intersection of African life narratives, political ecologies and human rights

    What are African life narratives? How is Ken Saro-Wiwa connected to Maynooth University today, and what impact did he have on both Nigerian and Irish history as well as the discussion on energy systems?  Explore these questions and more with íde Corley (Maynooth University) in this episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills, in which we delve into the world of Nigerian activism and the impacts it has had on Corley’s research project, “Energetic lives: African life narratives and the struggle for energy justice.” During the episode Corley digs into how her interests in Irish nationalism and the anti-apartheid movement led her to study African literature and Pan-Africanism, focusing on the intersection of race, culture and patriarchy in African nationalist rhetoric.  The speakers highlights during this episode the history of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s activism in Nigeria and the role of Sister Magella McCarran, an Irish nun who documented his campaign against multinational corporations to explore these narratives.  ------------- Íde Corley is an Assistant Professor of English at Maynooth University and previously taught at the University of St. Thomas, the University of Vermont, Tuft University, Trinity College Dublin and held a visiting teaching fellowship on the Programa de Maestria y Doctorado en Letras at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Her research focuses on African and African diaspora literatures; petrocultures and the energy humanities; life narratives (particularly Ogoni) and human rights. She is the principal editor of Silence Would Be Treason, a collection of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s last letters from detention, which was cited by Amnesty International in their 2017 report, Shell: A Criminal Enterprise. She has also collaborated in the making of several documentaries about Saro-Wiwa’s globally-influential environmental and minority rights campaigns in Nigeria. Her other published work has appeared in Modern Language Studies, Interventions, Wasafiri and the Journal of Postcolonial Writing. She is a member of the Petrocultures Research Group, the ESF College of Experts and an editorial consultant for the not-for-profit press, Daraja, based in Canada. She is currently working on her Eochair award-winning project, “Energetic Lives: African Life Narratives and the Struggle for Energy Justice".

    48 min
  5. #44: Disability rights in Europe: How can EU law make a difference?

    9 ENE

    #44: Disability rights in Europe: How can EU law make a difference?

    How does European Union law protect the rights of persons with disabilities? What role does the Court of Justice of the EU play in shaping disability rights across Member States? And why is it important to look at disability law through a truly European lens? These questions are at the heart of the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast, featuring Bernardo Cortese, professor of European Union law at the University of Padua. In this episode,  Bernardo Cortese discusses his recent publication on the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union in adapting EU employment equality law to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He explains why EU law should be understood as a multi-layered system, where courts, legislators and institutions interact to progressively strengthen fundamental rights. The conversation also explores the most significant developments in EU disability law over the past decade, including advances in case law, legislation and soft law instruments. Special attention is given to particularly vulnerable groups, such as asylum seekers and third-country nationals with disabilities, who face multiple layers of discrimination and barriers to the protection of their dignity. The speaker also reflects on how his personal experience as a parent of a child with a severe disability has shaped his research, offering a powerful example of how legal concepts—such as discrimination by association—translate into real-life challenges. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of building a European culture of inclusion, empowerment and collective representation, and on how EU law can influence national systems to promote meaningful change. -------------- Bernardo Cortese is a Full Professor of European Union Law at the Department of Public, International and EU Law of the University of Padua. His research focuses on EU law in its institutional, judicial and substantive dimensions, with particular attention to the internal market, competition law, immigration, energy and environmental law. He previously served as Référendaire at the Court of Justice of the European Union. Among his many collaborations are those with the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Commission, the Directorate-General for Competition, and the European State Aid Observatory.

    37 min
  6. #43: Peace, power and reality: Can we still believe in pacifism?

    11/11/2025

    #43: Peace, power and reality: Can we still believe in pacifism?

    What if peace were not just a human affair? Can we still believe in pacifism? Explore these questions and rethink the very meaning of peace in the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast with Maximiliam Lakitsch (University of Graz).  In the 43rd episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills, Maximiliam Lakitsch, a senior scientist at the Department of the Foundations of Law (Global Governance Section) at the University of Graz, explores how environmental realities are inseparable from political and social dynamics and how truly sustainable peace must include the non-human world as an active participant.  This episode discusses the understanding of peace that evolves across cultures and time, why it should be seen as an ongoing process rather than a final state, what role Europe plays in peacekeeping today, and Maximilian Lakitsch's idea of strategic optimism, a realistic outlook that acknowledges today’s challenges as opportunities to find more effective and inclusive paths towards peace, rather than reasons for despair. Maximilian Lakitsch is a senior scientist in the Department of the Foundations of Law (Global Governance Section) at the University of Graz, where he coordinates the Austrian Conflict, Peace and Democracy Cluster. His research and teaching centres on peace studies and international relations, with a particular interest in critical perspectives on international peace interventions and the integration of environmental and climate aspects into peace practice. He focuses on the Middle East and North Africa, particularly Syria, Lebanon, and Israel-Palestine. Maximilian Lakitsch also worked for various NGOs in Austria, Lebanon and has experience in development cooperation and peacebuilding.

    53 min
  7. #42: What does it really mean to learn autonomously?

    29/07/2025

    #42: What does it really mean to learn autonomously?

    Is learner autonomy just about studying alone or is it something much deeper, more collaborative and more critical? In today’s digital world, how do we support students in becoming truly autonomous learners? These questions are at the heart of the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast featuring Professor Marco Cappellini, specialist in Language Sciences at the University of Lyon 1 and co-editor of Learner Autonomy and Web 2.0. Drawing on years of research in language education, virtual exchanges and teacher training, Professor Cappellini explores how our understanding of autonomy has evolved from individual self-regulation to a more social and reflective process supported by peer interaction and digital tools. He introduces the idea of social autonomy, where learning is shaped not in isolation, but through meaningful collaboration and dialogue, especially in online environments. The conversation also touches on the role of teachers in fostering learner autonomy: not as distant facilitators, but as active mediators who scaffold learning, guide reflection, and help students navigate complex digital learning spaces.  How can we support all learners, including those with less access to resources or digital confidence, in becoming autonomous? What kinds of environments and policies are needed to make autonomy a real and equitable goal? Learn more about Marco Cappellini: Marco Cappellini is a Full Professor in Language Didactics at Claude Bernard University Lyon 1. He conducts research at the ICAR laboratory, focusing on telecollaboration and computer-assisted language learning. His work explores learner autonomy, teacher training, and metacognition in digital education contexts. He plays key roles in organisations such as Ranacles and UNICollaboration. He has published extensively on technology-enhanced language learning and supervises research in the field.

    49 min
  8. #41: What can sinkholes tell us about our planet’s future?

    07/07/2025

    #41: What can sinkholes tell us about our planet’s future?

    What causes the Earth to suddenly collapse beneath our feet? Can geophysics help us predict—and perhaps even prevent—natural disasters? These are just some of the fascinating questions explored in the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast with special guest Professor Djamil Al-Halbouni, expert in Applied Geophysics and Remote Sensing at Leipzig University. In this episode, Professor Al-Halbouni guides us through the invisible forces shaping our landscapes—from sinkholes in the Dead Sea region to erosion in Bronze Age archaeological sites. Drawing on his international research experience and innovative use of numerical simulation, remote sensing, and fieldwork, he explains how water-related processes such as subsidence and collapse can reveal urgent insights into both our past and future environments. The conversation also highlights his recent Arqus course in the Granada Geopark, where students explored how geophysical methods connect natural history with cultural heritage. Geoparks offer unique learning opportunities that bridge science, sustainability, and storytelling. Professor Al-Halbouni also discusses the social impact of natural hazards on vulnerable communities, especially those living along the receding shores of the Dead Sea. He reflects on the potential of new technologies, including AI and satellite data, to support early-warning systems and more resilient planning strategies. Learn more about Djamil Al-Halbouni: Djamil Al-Halbouni is a Junior Professor of Applied Near-Surface Geophysics and Remote Sensing at Leipzig University. His research focuses on geophysical modelling and monitoring of near-surface hazards, with particular expertise in sinkhole formation and subsidence processes. He played a leading role in the international project DESERVE, investigating sinkholes and landslides around the Dead Sea, one of the world’s most dynamic and vulnerable regions to such geohazards. Al-Halbouni holds a diploma in Geophysics from the University of Göttingen and completed his PhD at the University of Potsdam and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), including a research stay at the University of Adelaide and CSIRO in Australia. His work also spans groundwater dynamics in karst aquifers, hydromechanical modelling of canyon systems, and the stability of salt caverns in Brazil and Germany. Before joining Leipzig, he held postdoctoral positions at GFZ, GEOMAR, and the University of Malta.

    25 min
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Información

Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Lyon 1, Maynooth, Minho, Padua, Vilnius and Wroclaw, together are Arqus, an Alliance that specifically focuses on people, on students, researchers, teachers and everyone who works in European higher education. Together we want to build a multicultural, multilingual and inclusive Europe that is ready for all the challenges to come. How do we want to do that? Well, join in and listen. This is the Arqus podcast. This is “Arqus Knowledge Pills”.

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    Arqus European University Alliance
  • Años en activo
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodios
    48
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Derechos de autor
    © Arqus European University Alliance
  • Sitio web del podcast
    Arqus Knowledge Pills