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“O lugar da criatividade, do “faz de conta” e do “era uma vez…” quando a IA parece fazer tudo por nós” is the newest article of the DigiMedia opinion column “Fronteira Digital” in the newspaper Diário de Aveiro, written by Cláudia Vale Oliveira, a PhD student in New Media.

This text inspires reflection on the role of creativity in the age of artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of integrating AI as a tool to enhance creative processes, without replacing reasoning, autonomy and agency, emphasizing the need to preserve imagination, authorship, and critical thinking in an increasingly automated world.

The article can be read here.

Joana Raminhos da Silveira, a PhD student in Multimedia in Education at the University of Aveiro, was selected to participate in the Let’s CHAOS (Let’s Create a High-tech Accessible Opportunities for a Sustainable Future). As part of this initiative, she completed an intensive on-site mobility period at the Łódź University of Technology (TUL), an ECIU (European Consortium of Innovative Universities) member in Poland.

During the programme, Joana applied Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) methodologies to the field of Inclusive Systems Design. Working with an interdisciplinary team, she focused on human-centric solutions aimed at supporting children with limb differences and their families. 

The experience provided advanced training in emerging technologies and fostered international collaboration with researchers and experts from the ECIU network.

On Saturday, March 7, a pilot test of the Oh!Bug mobile application took place at Parque da Vila in Sever do Vouga, with the participation of members of the DigiMedia research unit.

The main goal of this test was to validate the methodology defined for the study “Engaging Young Students with Mobile Applications Focused on Sustainable Development and the Environment – The Case Study of the Oh!Bug Mobile Application.” This research is being developed by PhD candidate Sara Martins, under the supervision of Carlos Santos and David Oliveira, within the Doctoral Programme in Multimedia in Education.

This study aims to investigate the impact of interaction and geolocation systems included in mobile applications on children’s relationship with nature, through the implementation of field trips in which participants identify natural species using the Oh!Bug app.

Maria Júlia Vieira, a PhD student in the Doctoral Program in New Media, carried out a research mobility under the Erasmus+ program at the University of Stavanger (Norway), during the month of February. The visit took place at the Centre for Gender Studies under the supervision of Professor Elisabeth Lund Engebretsen.

The main goal of the mobility was to further develop her doctoral research, which focuses on female inclusion and representation in video game live streaming culture. During her stay, the doctoral researcher had the opportunity to interact with scholars working in the field of gender studies, fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue between New Media, Gender Studies, and digital culture. This academic exchange helped enrich the theoretical framework of the research and broaden critical perspectives on gender issues in digital environments and online communities.

As part of the activities carried out during the visit, Maria Júlia Vieira presented her research seminar at the Centre for Gender Studies, where she shared the progress and current development stages of her doctoral thesis. The session included the participation of department members and provided constructive discussions and expert feedback, which contributed to refining the methodological and conceptual framework of her doctoral project. This experience represented a significant opportunity for the internationalization of her research, allowing her not only to share her work in an international academic context but also to integrate new theoretical and methodological approaches relevant to the study of gender dynamics in contemporary digital culture.

The most recent opinion article in Diário de Aveiro “De Aveiro para os seniores: a televisão como ponte social“, written by Gabriel Faria, highlights the ProSeniorTV, a project developed at the Universidade de Aveiro that explores how television can help reduce social isolation among older adults.

The article can be read here.

The column “Fronteira Digital” can be read on the first Wednesday of every month in the printed version. This is an opportunity to show the local community the themes we work on and the research carried out at DigiMedia.

Our next text will be released on April 1, 2026.

Anda-Elena Covaci, currently a second-year student in the Multimedia and Communication Technologies degree programme at the University of Aveiro, remotely presented a scientific paper on 27 February at the 11th International Congress on Information and Communication Technology (ICICT 2026), an international conference held in London, United Kingdom. 

The paper, entitled ‘Inclusive Communication through Universal Design: Designing accessible informational flyers to promote awareness, resources, and support for People with Disabilities’, was developed as part of the Students@Digimedia #04 initiative, resulting from research conducted by the student in collaboration with the research team at DigiMedia’s UAInclusive Laboratory.

The research focuses on applying the principles of Universal Design to the creation of accessible informational flyers, with the aim of promoting more inclusive communication and facilitating access to information, resources, and services for people with disabilities. The work highlights the importance of inclusive design as a tool for reducing informational barriers and reinforcing user-centred communication practices.

The Students@Digimedia initiative aims to promote the active involvement of students in scientific research activities, encouraging the development of academic skills and participation in international scientific events. The presentation at ICICT 2026 is yet another example of the collaboration between teaching and research at the University of Aveiro, highlighting the impact of the work carried out within the scope of DigiMedia.

The DigiMedia Laboratories, LabUA Inclusive and Lab XR, hosted a group of young adults with diverse support needs from the Organization “Pais em Rede” for a co-creation session focused on developing accessible Virtual Reality (VR) games.

The PhD student Débora Dias and the master’s student Rita Simões led the initiative, under the guidance of Professor Mário Varinhos and researcher Oksana Tymoshchuk. The session aimed to involve participants in designing inclusive solutions by valuing their experiences and perspectives.

The young people actively contributed ideas, suggestions, and feedback, providing essential input for a VR game designed to help students with autism participate in team sports. This co-creation approach reinforces the importance of involving end users in designing inclusive technologies, ensuring solutions effectively meet their real needs.

This initiative demonstrates the laboratories’ commitment to promoting inclusion through technological innovation and creating more accessible, equitable digital experiences for all.

Sudarshan Kadam, a PhD student in New Media, at the University of Aveiro, was selected to participate in the Let’s CHAOS course, implemented within the NAWA SPINAKER programme.

The Let’s CHAOS course offers an advanced learning pathway focused on Inclusive Systems Design, combining critical reflection, research methodologies, and interdisciplinary perspectives. As part of the programme, participants will attend an online component, followed by a fully funded on-site mobility period, in March, at Łódź University of Technology (Poland), an ECIU University.

Sudarshan’s PhD project’s “Interactive Shoppable Video strategies for specific markets- Portugal & Spain” is supervised by Professor Jorge Ferraz Abreu and Professor Telmo Silva.

This participation reinforces DigiMedia’s commitment to international collaboration, advanced doctoral training, and inclusive, forward-looking research practices.

“Memória: o tesouro do futuro” is the newest article of the DigiMedia opinion column “Fronteira Digital” in the newspaper Diário de Aveiro, written by Rita Gomes, a PhD student in New Media. The text explores the issue of the preservation of memory in the digital age and can be read here.

The article “Fronteira Digital” can be read on the first Wednesday of every month in the printed version. This is an opportunity to show the local community the themes we work on and the research carried out at DigiMedia.

Our next text will be released on March 4, 2026.

DeCA hosted the 4th edition of the Seminar ‘Emerging Topics in Multimedia in Education’, organized by students from the Doctoral Programme in Multimedia in Education, with the involvement of Carlos Santos (DigiMedia) and Margarida Lucas (CIDTFF).

This year’s edition took place on 17th January, under the theme “Reimagining Innovation in Learning with Artificial Intelligence”, focusing on innovative practices incorporating Artificial Intelligence. The invited keynote speaker was Luís Borges Gouveia, from Fernando Pessoa University.

Dozens of teachers interested in the topic, as well as many researchers from DigiMedia and CIDTFF, attended the event.

More information about the whole event on Facebook and Instagram.

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