A Look Back at the 4th INGENIUM Senior School at the University of Oviedo

As the INGENIUM European University prepares to gather once more for its next Senior School at the University of Crete from 19 to 23 May 2025, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the vibrant fourth edition held at the University of Oviedo from 17 to 21 February.

The INGENIUM Senior School sits at the core of the alliance’s biannual 10 Days of INGENIUM initiative, a flagship short mobility programme designed to weave together students, staff, and ideas from partner universities. Held twice yearly, this immersive experience fosters intercultural exchange, champions inclusion, and sparks collaboration on a grand scale.

Nestled in the heart of Asturias, the El Milán Campus, home for the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Oviedo, welcomed Master’s and PhD students from across the INGENIUM network to explore Creativity and Communication in Research.

The Oviedo edition, hosted in collaboration with Scholars at Risk, was no exception. It invited participants to hone their ability to communicate complex research to diverse audiences, tackle scientific misinformation, and champion academic freedom—pressing issues in today’s academic landscape. The main programme’s ambitions were to nurture critical thinking, empower scholars to bridge the gap between academia and society, and weave communication strategies into the fabric of their research practice.

The University of Oviedo, with its rich academic heritage and welcoming campus, provided the perfect backdrop for it.

A Week of Academic Inspiration

The academic programme unfolded over five days, blending lectures, workshops, and collaborative projects that kept participants engaged from start to finish.

The week began with the opening ceremony, followed by a keynote from Dr. Noemí Pinilla-Alonso, a distinguished researcher whose work with the James Webb Space Telescope has pushed boundaries in understanding the Solar System. Her talk, “Who Really Understands Scientists?”, urged participants to make science accessible without sacrificing its depth.

The second day brought an exploration of academic freedom, led by Dr. Ilker Gökhan Şen from the University of Oslo. His lecture, Academic Freedom Worldwide, delved into the challenges scholars face, from censorship in authoritarian regimes to subtler pressures in democracies. Drawing on his own experiences as an advocate for peace in Turkey, Dr. Şen brought a personal perspective that resonated with the audience. His accompanying workshop, Academic Freedom in Practice, was a highlight for many. Students worked in small groups, grappling with case studies and crafting policy recommendations to protect scholarly independence.

Midweek, the focus shifted to a full-day project titled Tackling Fake News and Misinformation Through Effective Science Communication. This intensive session challenged students to create evidence-based tools to counter misinformation on topics like climate change, vaccination, or artificial intelligence.

On the fourth day, Dr. Alba Morán from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices took the stage, sharing her expertise as both a biomedical researcher and a communicator. Her lecture, Effective Communication for Researchers, offered practical insights into engaging both academic and public audiences. The accompanying workshop, Mastering Communication for Academic and Public Engagement, included role-playing and peer feedback to build confidence in presenting research.

The week culminated in the much-anticipated INGENIUM Talks on the final day. Each group delivered a five-minute presentation, weaving their research with broader societal themes before evaluation panels that provided constructive feedback.

Embracing Asturias

The Senior School wasn’t confined to lecture halls—Asturian culture was woven into every day, with activities like the first day’s scavenger hunt, which invited teams to explore Oviedo’s streets and uncover its hidden gems.

The second evening brought a welcome at Oviedo City Hall, where participants engaged with local authorities and toured the historic building, gaining insight into the city’s heritage.

The third day’s Espicha at Tierra Astur El Vasco was a high point. This traditional Asturian gathering, centred around local cider and hearty regional dishes, was described by participants as a celebration of community.

The programme wrapped up with a visit to Llagar Trabanco, a renowned cider house, in Gijón, Asturias’ largest city.

Voices from the Participants

The feedback from 52 of the 68 participants who completed an evaluation survey at the end of the Senior School and then took part in a final feedback session, was strongly positive. An overwhelming 79% said the Senior School far exceeded or exceeded their expectations, describing it as “exciting,” and “deeply instructive.” The academic programme earned praise for its relevance and engagement, with the non-competitive environment fostering collaboration and creative risk-taking. The one-day format for the group project was also a hit, striking the right balance between intensity and focus, while the mentorship provided valuable guidance for most of participants.

Overall, the feedback underscored a programme that succeeded in blending academic excellence with cultural richness. Participants left Oviedo not only with sharper communication skills and a deeper understanding of academic freedom but also with friendships, inspiration, and a newfound appreciation for Asturias. The baton has now passed to the University of Crete, where the next edition promises to build on this foundation.