Arqus Knowledge Pills Arqus European University Alliance

In this episode, Alberto Fernández, from the University of Granada, explains how to foster creativity in Artificial Intelligence, what amazing things they are already capable of and how we should deal with the enormous possibilities that Artificial Intelligence offers today, and in the near future. In the podcast, Alberto also talks about his interests in reading a novel or listening to a song that was not devised by a human being, and whether his research work has made him more creative in his everyday life.

Olfaction is of great importance for our psychological well-being. Psychologist Anna Oleszkiewicz from the University of Wrocław explains in this episode how our sense of smell and our state of mind are connected. Anna investigates how olfactory input influences our ability to function socially and psychologically. Also, she works on improving the so-called “Sniffin’ Sticks” tests, which are an essential tool in the field of olfactory training: approximately 5 % of the general population has a dysfunctional sense of smell and a further 20 % has a severe olfactory impairment. Anna’s goal is to bring medical knowledge on human olfactory processing and psychological science closer together.

Joana Azeredo is an Associate Professor at the University of Minho Department of Biological Engineering (Portugal). In this podcast episode, Joana explains how and why she researches a special kind of virus that can kill potentially dangerous bacteria. These viruses are of great therapeutic interest and can be used to control infectious diseases. Joana Azeredo's team recently also stood out by creating a “virus bank” to treat diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, one of the biggest health problems worldwide.

Teaching and learning are two fundamental concepts for those who do research and work at the university. But how is it possible to improve them, taking into account the differences in the fields of study? One of the tools available is the "Challenge-based learning program", a working method that allows you to analyze a subject from different perspectives, thanks to different expertise. Klaudijus Melys, from the University of Vilnius, tells us about it.

For nineteen months, Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl will sail over 55 000 nautical miles and visit 36 ports worldwide. The aim of the “One Ocean Expedition” is to share and spread knowledge about the crucial role of the ocean for sustainable development from a global perspective. Katja Enberg, professor at the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Bergen, will be part of the crew. Shortly before her departure, she explains how students benefit from this unique teaching environment and how she personally expects to grow and change during this journey.

In this episode we chat with Francesco Bettella, a researcher at the University of Padua and a Paralympic swimmer who already won several medals. He tells us how he prepares for a swimming race, what feelings he experiences during the tournament and how all of his know-how pours into his research about exoskeletons. Also, he reveals to us his next objectives both in sports and in academia, and describes how both fields are sometimes quite similar.