Smart, Green, and Inclusive cities at the heart of the European Researchers’ Night 2025 of Ulysseus

This year, Ulysseus will launch a series of concise expert interviews one week ahead of the celebration. Disseminated through the university alliance’s official web and social media channels, these interviews aim to make cutting-edge research accessible and relevant to the public, while fostering dialogue between science and society.

Under the theme Rethinking Our Cities: Smart, Green, and For Everyone, the 2025 series focuses on the urgent transformation of European cities toward climate neutrality and sustainability. The initiative is closely aligned with the European Union’s “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission,” which supports 100 European cities in achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Through clear and short interviews, participating researchers will reflect on the key challenges of urban transformation, the role of digital and technological innovations, and the importance of citizen engagement in ecological transitions. Central topics include the potential of artificial intelligence and digital twins for city planning, barriers to climate action, and strategies to ensure a just and inclusive transition.

This initiative is aligned with Ulysseus Innovation Hub of Sustainable Energy, Transport, Mobility for Smart Cities, which provides a platform for advancing applied research, innovation, and knowledge transfer in line with the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.

Participation of Ulysseus experts from multiple disciplines

The scientists contributing to this year’s Ulysseus European Researchers’ Night initiative represent a rich blend of expertise, disciplinary backgrounds, and professional experiences. Their profiles span fields as varied as civil engineering, business administration, architecture, urban planning, innovation management, digital transformation, and energy systems.

This diversity reflects the inherently interdisciplinary nature of building climate-neutral and smart cities, where technological innovation, policy design, citizen engagement, and sustainable urban planning must converge. By bringing together researchers with heterogeneous academic trajectories and practical insights, the initiative not only illustrates the breadth of knowledge required to tackle urban sustainability but also fosters a holistic dialogue that bridges science, society, and policymaking.

The interviews feature distinguished academics from Ulysseus partner universities:

• Dr. Alfredo Iranzo Aparicio (University of Seville) – Specialist in hydrogen technologies and thermal energy systems, with extensive industry and academic experience.
• Eliesh Sahyoun (Université Côte d’Azur) – Architect and urban planner, expert in sustainable transition and foresight, championing participatory design and resilience.
• Prof. Renata Paola Dameri (University of Genoa) – Authority on smart city research and governance, Vice Rector for International Relations, and active in international policy consulting.
• Prof. Oliver Som (MCI | The Entrepreneurial School) – Researcher on innovation ecosystems and sustainable innovation, with expertise in technology adoption and futures thinking.
• Pierantonio Silvani (Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland) – Lecturer and researcher in digital services, focusing on user-centred design and digital transformation in smart cities.
• Dr. Marija Jevrić (University of Montenegro) – Assistant professor in civil engineering, specializing in sustainable urban development, green infrastructures, and climate-smart projects.

A Bridge Between Science and Society

By highlighting both the scientific and human dimensions of urban sustainability, the interview series underscores Ulysseus’ mission to bring knowledge closer to the public. It also reflects the alliance’s commitment to empowering citizens to play an active role in shaping the climate-neutral and smart cities of the future.

As part of the European Researchers’ Night 2025, this initiative affirms Ulysseus’ dedication to scientific outreach, international collaboration, and societal engagement in addressing the urgent challenges of climate change and sustainable urban development.

Watch the interviews here!

About Ulysseus

Ulysseus is one of the 64 European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. Led by the University of Seville, the Alliance encompasses other seven universities in Europe: the University of Genoa, Italy; Université Côte d’Azur, France; the Technical University of Košice, Slovakia; MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®, Austria; Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland, the University of Münster, Germany, and the University of Montenegro, Montenegro.