IRIDI START 13 initial training
Summer school for fixed-term researchers
The University of Turin, in agreement with international bodies, promotes the development of teaching and evaluation skills from the first professional entry of researchers.
The aim of the IRIDI START training course is to accompany newly hired researchers in the reflection and continuous improvement of these skills. This is a course provided by the Teaching and Learning Center of the University of Turin, which certifies the knowledge and skills developed by the participants, documented at the end of the course by a Open Badges usable in Italy and abroad which certifies the fulfillment of the training obligation.
The novelty of the 13th edition: Summer School
The proposal for the 13th edition of Iridi Start includes an Summer School, an intensive training experience that combines educational activities, interdisciplinary comparison and networking moments in a residential context.
Training will be held from 20 to 23 July 2026.
Participation in the Summer School is free. The cost of room and board is borne by the University.
The themes of the course are:
- Student-centered teaching,
- Teaching strategies and learning technologies,
- Management of communication in the classroom,
- Assessment processes for learning,
- The skills for inclusive teaching,
- The preparation of the teaching card,
- System approach to the quality of university teaching.
The path is transformative: starting from the reflection and experience of the participants, the themes in question are developed, in light of the results of international scientific research.
Goals
- knowing how to plan teaching according to the objectives and initial skills of the students;
- knowing how to activate teaching centered on the learning of male/female students;
- knowing how to create effective lessons, also by building integrated learning environments;
- knowing how to build valid and reliable assessment tools, consistent with the learning objectives;
- knowing how to promote inclusive teaching;
- knowing how to contribute to the quality of University teaching.
- knowing how to activate an adequate relationship and effective communication with students;
- knowing how to reflect on one's own teaching and assessment practices.
Anyone can register Type A, B and RTT fixed-term researchers of the University of Turin, in particular new hires.
Since i places are limited (40), in the event of excess registrations, priority will be given to male and female researchers according to the following criteria:
- order of arrival of the application;
- distribution by departments;
- with greater seniority of service.
Registrations:
- Opening: April 29th at 9am
- Closure : June 22th at 12
- Application form: fill in the online form to sign up.
IRIDI START 13 is organized in residential mode and will be held from 20 to 23 July 2026.
The venue of the event will be Casa Regina of Vicoforte (CN), a location immersed in the greenery of the Piedmontese hills, ideal for encouraging concentration, exchange of ideas and relationships between participants, in a welcoming and evocative environment of great historical and landscape value.
Casa Regina website in Vicoforte
Monday 20 July 2026
2:00–3:00 p.m. Participant registration and welcome coffee
3:00–3:30 p.m. Opening of the Summer School and official greetings
3:30–4:00 p.m. Introduction to the program and start of sessions
4:00–7:00 p.m. Training session: Teaching at the University to Ensure Quality Learning (Prof. Paola Ricchiardi)
8:00–9:30 p.m. Dinner
9:30–10:30 p.m. Optional evening activity
Tuesday 21 July 2026
7:30–9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00–11:00 a.m. Training session: Building Inclusion in University Teaching: Universal Design to Celebrate the Diversity and Heterogeneity of Students (Prof. Rosa Bellacicco and Dr. Melania Talarico)
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Visit to the Chocolate Museum
1:00–2:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00–7:30 p.m. Training session: Active teaching strategies, student participation, technology, and AI (Prof. Rosa Bellacicco, Dr. Melania Talarico, Dr. Floriana Vindigni)
8:00 pm–9:30 PM Dinner
9:30 pm–10:30 pm Optional evening activity
Wednesday 22 July 2026
7:30–8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Training session: Assessment to Promote Learning: Perspectives and Practices (Prof. Anna Serbati)
1:00–2:00 pm Lunch
2:00–3:30 pm Training session: Engaging Students as Partners in Relationship-Rich Educational Experiences (Prof. Anna Santucci)
4:00–6:00 pm Cultural tour or local activity (visit to the Vicoforte Chapel and optional climb to the Cupola)
8:00 pm–9:30 pm Dinner
9:30 pm–10:30 pm Optional evening activity
Thursday 23 July 2026
7:30–9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00–11:00 a.m. Training session: A Systems Approach to the Quality of University Teaching (Prof. Tiziana Cannizzo, Prof. Rosangela Odore)
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Training session: Developing a course syllabus: from process to content (Prof. Tiziana Cannizzo, Prof. Rosangela Odore)
1:15–1:30 p.m. Final feedback and closing of the Summer School
1:30–2:30 p.m. Closing lunch
December 2026 - January 2027
Follow up meeting with mentors
| Module | Teacher Department | Contents
|
|---|---|---|
| 1. Teaching at the University to Ensure Quality Learning | Prof. Paola Ricchiardi
Department of Philosophy and Educational Sciences, University of Turin. | The Objectives of University Teaching; A Comparison of Teaching Strategies: What Are the Outcomes? Engaging and Motivating Strategies. |
| 2. Fostering Inclusion in University Teaching: Universal Design to Celebrate the Diversity and Heterogeneity of Students | Prof. Rosa Bellacicco Dr. Melania Talarico
Department of Philosophy and Educational Sciences, University of Turin. | Inclusion Policies; Universal Design for Learning and Accessibility. |
| 3. Active Teaching Strategies, Student Participation, Technology, and AI | Prof. Rosa Bellacicco
Dr. Melania Talarico
Department of Philosophy and Educational Sciences, University of Turin.
Dr. Floriana Vindigni
IT Systems, Website Management, and E-Learning Division, University of Turin. | Designing inclusive university teaching activities through the integration of Artificial Intelligence, the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Active Learning methods. Introduction to UDL, DigComp 3.0, and the main national and international guidelines on the use of AI (UNESCO and the University). Design workshop: rethinking one’s own teaching activity, including through the use of AI. Examples will be presented, and useful teaching tools will be provided. |
4. Assessment to Promote Learning: Perspectives and Practices
| Prof. Anna Serbati
Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento.
| Functions of Assessment at the university. The "Assessment for Learning" model. Authentic assessment. Assessment criteria. Feedback tools and processes. |
5. Engaging Students as Partners in Relationship-Rich Educational Experiences
| Prof. Anna Santucci Associate Professor and Associate Director, Center for Teaching Excellence University of Virginia.
| An introduction to the importance of relationships—both among students and with teachers—in creating an environment of holistic engagement based on trust, dialogue, and mutual respect, to facilitate effective learning and development experiences. An exploration of principles drawn from international research and practice: “Students as Partners” and “Relationship-Rich Education.” |
6.a A Systems Approach to the Quality of University Teaching
6.b Developing the Course Description: From Process to Content
| Prof. Tiziana Cannizzo
Prof. Rosangela Odore
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin.
| Quality of University Teaching: Roles, Processes, and a Systems Approach in the European, National, and Local Contexts AVA regulations and the SUA profile for degree programs; the degree program’s educational plan and learning areas; the course description: educational objectives and expected learning outcomes; progression in the acquisition of competencies: prerequisites; reflection on the content and objectives of one’s own teaching, in relation to the educational objectives of the degree program. |
Follow up mentors
| December 2026 Professors Adriano Ceccarelli and Andrea Filippi
Professors Tiziana Nervo and Stefania Chessa
January 2027 Professors Marco Giovannetti and Stefano D’Alessandro Professor Barbara Greco University of Turin. | Final session dedicated to discussing how to apply the concepts covered in the course modules. Presentation of the Peer Mentoring project. |
At the end of the course a Open Badges to each participant who has attended at least 70% of the hours provided and completed the Teaching Portfolio.
