June 17-22, 2018 – University Residential Centre of Bertinoro, Italy

International Summer School for Early Career Researchers*

Date: 17th of June – 22nd of June, 2018
Place: University Residential Centre of Bertinoro, Italy

Aims and topic

Emerging smart, mobile technologies and behavioural intervention programmes provide the focus for understanding the role of technology in changing behaviours in adults towards an active and healthy lifestyle and preserving physical function and quality of life at older age. PhD students and early career researchers* from a variety of disciplines will be exposed to relevant topics such as how to:

•   Apply theory and evidence in the development and evaluation of interventions
•   Engage users, without which the most impressive technologies will be of little use
•   Evaluate the quality and ethical aspects of technological solutions
•   Implement digital technologies to maximise their potential in improving health, function and well-beingOrganisationMultiple experts in a variety of fields will present state-of-the-art solutions, current trends, and novel approaches in the areas of behaviour change theory and taxonomy, co-design, user engagement, digital technologies, service models, and sensitive data management. Students will be engaged through workshops, group work, and panel discussions.CertificationA certificate of attendance will be delivered to each participant.Scientific Organizing CommitteeJorunn L Helbostad and Beatrix Vereijken, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway Sabato Mellone and Lorenzo Chiari, University of Bologna, Italy
  Elisabeth Boulton, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
  Michael Schwenk, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Germany

*PhD students and post docs within 5 years after completing their PhD

Confirmed list of lecturers

Elisabeth Boulton, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Luca Pietrantoni, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy
Giuseppe Mincolelli, Industrial Design, University of Ferrara, Italy
Yuan Lu, Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands Sonia Bergamaschi, Department of Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy Paolo Paolini, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy Antonella Frisiello, Centre for Applied Research on ICT, Istituto Superiore Mario Boella, ItalySimone Maccaferri, Research Development Manager, University of Bologna, Italy
Marco Pieterse, Health Leads B.V., healthcare innovation, The Netherlands
Mirko Orsini, DataRiver S.R.L., management and processing of clinical data, Italy
Sabato Mellone, Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering, University of Bologna, Italy

Call for applications and selection of students

Participants are expected to be early career researchers* working on a project or study which aims to change behaviour.

Students are invited to send their CV (max 2 pages) and a letter outlining their motivation for applying (max 1 page), no later than the 5th of March, to: summerschool@preventit.eu

Applicants will be informed of their acceptance by the 19th of March. The number of students will be max 55 and the Summer School aims to include participants from various countries and cultures.

General information

Travel has to be paid by the participants. Dedicated shuttle buses will be available on Sunday the 17th from Bologna airport “Guglielmo Marconi” to the venue and on Friday the 22nd from the venue to Bologna airport.

Course fee: 500€
The course fee covers participation in the course, accommodation, meals, and social activities.

Admitted students will need to register and pay the course fee by the 20th of April 2018.

*PhD students and post docs within 5 years after completing their PhD