Innovating Together
Building the European Applied Data Science Ecosystem
**Abstract submission for the Innovating Together Conference now closed**
The University of Málaga, as member of the UNINOVIS Alliance, invites submissions for the 2026 edition of the UNINOVIS International Conference, which will bring together researchers, innovators, and practitioners to explore the evolving landscape of applied data science in higher education and industry.
The conference will serve as a catalyst for reinforcing academic collaboration, building bridges with the private sector (notably SMEs), and showcasing scientific expertise across UNINOVIS member institutions and beyond.
Conference scope and themes
This 2026 conference welcomes submissions of research papers, case studies, and conceptual or strategic analyses related to applied data science across domains (e.g., health, education, economics, environmental studies, arts, humanities, etc.), with particular relevance to one or more of the following topics:
- Research Ecosystems: Contributions exploring collaborative frameworks such as quadruple helix models, citizen science, and academia-industry-public partnerships.
- Infrastructure for Applied Data Science: Analysis or implementation of data infrastructures (collection, processing, visualization), including institutional, technical, or ethical dimensions.
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Research or documented experiences demonstrating the translation of academic data science into entrepreneurial or socio-economic impact.
Submission guidelines
Submissions are accepted of both research and strategic/conceptual papers and posters that clearly demonstrate their contribution to applied data science, and reflect its relevance to European university collaboration and innovation.
- Research papers/posters: Authors should send an abstract (up to 250 words) structured as Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion. Originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to data science and innovation will be evaluated.
- Strategic or conceptual papers/posters: Authors should send an abstract (up to 250 words). No specific structure required. Non-research submissions must provide clear evidence of its relevance to applied data science ecosystems, infrastructures, university-industry collaboration, or innovation strategies.
The conference and workshop will run simultaneously in different rooms but coffee breaks will be joint.
There will be two keynote speakers.
Honorary President
President Prof. Juan Teodomiro López Navarrete
President
Prof. Ignacio Moreno-Torres Sánchez
Organising Committee
Akueson, Rudward (USPN)
Carlier, Sandra (USPN)
Koskiranta, Tiina (TAMK)
Gishti, Eglantina (UT)
de Regt, Wouter (THWS)
Seamari, Yamina (UMA)
Seghiri, Miriam (UMA)
Valiaugiene, Jolanta (KK)
Verschoor, Jerke C. (THUAS)
Zamora-Mogollo, Amparo (UMA)
Secretary
Coming soon
Scientific Committee
Dr. Chaudhuri, Basudeb (USPN)
Dr. Gálvez, Sergio (UMA)
Dr. Grumadaitė, Kristina (KK)
Dr. Halkoaho, Arja (TAMK)
Dr. Hoxha, Elira (UT)
Dr. Kolleck, Alma (THWS)
Dr. Krikščiūnienė, Dalia (KK)
Dr. Sakalauskas, Virgilijus (KK)
Dr. Stergioulas, Lampros (THUAS)
Dr. Terzieva, Liliya (THUAS)
Dr. Valverde, Francisco (UMA)
Dr. Vega, Rocío de la (UMA)
Dr. Vukatana, Kreshnik (UT)
Key dates
Abstract sumission starts: August 1st, 2025
Abstract submission deadline: October 15th, 2025 at 23:59 (CET).
Notification of acceptance: November 4th, 2025
Registration starts: November 4th, 2025 (CET).
Registration deadline: December 3rd, 2025 at 23:59 (CET).
Extended abstract submission deadline: January 12th, 2026 at 23:59 (CET).
Conference: January 26-27th, 2026
Schedule
The conference and workshops will take place from 9:00 to 17:30 on the 26th of January and from 9:00 to 13:45 on the 27th of January. These events will run simultaneously, please keep this in mind when registering. In case of reaching limited capacity for the workshop, preference will be given to those who are only attending the workshop.
Language
The working language of the conference will be English.
Location
Uninovis International Conference 2026 will be held at the President's Building of the University of Málaga (Málaga, Spain).
Accommodation
Download information about accommodation here:
The registration for Uninovis International Conference is **FREE OF CHARGE**
The conference does not have a limited amount of participants and will be running at the same time as the DiPYUA workshop. If you are planning on attending the conference and the workshop, keep in mind that the workshop has a maximum of 50 participants.
Priority for the workshop will be given to those attending only the workshop. If you wish to register for the DiPYUA workshop, click here
If you wish to register for the conference, please follow the instructions below.
Social activities (dinner and cultural visits) are subject to a 60€ fee. If you wish to attend these, instructions on payment will appear onscreen after registration.
Thank You For Registering
If you chose to take part in the social activities and dinner, please pay the 60€ here
Please keep in mind that the conference and workshop social activities and dinner are the same. If you have already paid for the dinner when registering for the workshop, DO NOT PAY AGAIN.
Satellite Workshop
The Digital Platforms of Young University Alliances (DiPYUA). Challenges & Best-practices
When: January 26-27th, 2026
Where: University of Málaga, Málaga (Spain)
Registration: Participation in the workshop is free of charge. Social activities (dinner and cultural visits) are subject to a 60€ fee. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Workshop organizers
Francisca Martín Vergara (Universidad de Málaga, Spain)
Victoriano Giralt (Universidad de Málaga, Spain)
Aims of the Workshop
The workshop has two main aims:
- To learn which are the precise requirements of the Digital Platforms of European University Alliances (EUAs). In order to achieve this goal we have invited five 1st and 2nd generation EUAs, who adopted different strategies. We hope that the collective knowledge and expertise of these alliances will provide most valuable information.
- To better understand the possibilities offered by two recent EUA-tailored Digital Platforms: Agora (by AupaEU) and Outfox. Both platforms are built on General Purpose systems, Agora on Odoo and Outfox on Drupal, and have been enhanced with a wide range of functionalities designed to support the rapid development of new EUA platforms. However, they are not identical, and each one may be best suited for specific users (i.e. Alliances), as we hope that the Workshop will clarify. We have confirmed the participation of the creators of Agora and Outfox, and are now trying to confirm the participation of users of each of these two platforms.
Are you an Agora or Outfox user?
During the initial stages of the Alliance's IT development, we have found that one of the most challenging tasks was the creation of the Digital Platform. We would love to hear about your experience. You can let us know by filling out this form or by contacting amparo.zamora@uma.es
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
1st and 2nd Generation Alliances that have confirmed participation
- ARQUS (Gabriel Maciá, University of Granada, Spain)
- ENHANCE (David Sichau, ETH Zürich, Switzerland)
- Neurotech (Mathew Adams, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden)
- Ulysseus (Inmaculada Periáñez, University of Seville, Spain)
- UNIC (Alen Novosel, University of Zagreb, Croatia)
- UNIgreen (Antonio Fernández, University of Almería, Spain)
Digital Platforms tailored to EUAs needs:
- Agora platform (AupaEU Project. Jesús Alcober, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain). More information about Agora
- Agora Users:
- UNITE! (Jesús Alcober, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain)
- Outfox Users:
- COLOURS (Miloš Borozan, Le Mans Université, France)
Young alliances:
- EUNICoast
- EUPeace
- EUonAIR
- PIONEER
- UNINOVIS
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE DIPYUA SATELLITE WORKSHOP:
| The Digital Platforms of Young University Alliances (DiPYUA): Challenges & Best Practices Venue: Rectorado Building, Avda. Cervantes 2, Málaga |
|
|---|---|
| DAY 1 – Sharing Experiences and Common Challenges Theme: Learning from 1st and 2nd Generation Alliances | |
| 09:00 – 09:30 |
Welcome and Introduction Francisca Martín Vergara, Ignacio Moreno-Torres Sánchez, Amparo Zamora Mogollo |
| 09:30 – 10:30 |
Keynote: Digital Transformation in European University Alliances Victoriano Giralt (University of Málaga) |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee Break & Networking |
| 11:00 – 13:00 |
Session 1: Experiences from 1st and 2nd Generation Alliances – Challenges in digital infrastructures and credentials ARQUS – Gabriel Maciá (University of Granada) ENHANCE – David Sichau (ETH Zürich, Switzerland) NeurotechEU – Mathew Adams (Karolinska Institutet, Sweden) |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch Break |
| 14:00 – 15:30 |
Session 2: Experiences from 1st and 2nd Generation Alliances - How digital ecosystems are supporting microcredentials and course catalogues Ulysseus – Inmaculada Periáñez (University of Seville) UNIgreen – Antonio Fernández (University of Almería) UNIC – Alen Novosel (University of Zagreb) |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Coffee Break |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Cultural activity |
| 19:30 |
Gala dinner Hotel AC Málaga Palacio |
| DAY 2 – Platforms, Integration and Future Directions Theme: Exploring and Aligning Digital Solutions | |
| 09:30 – 09:45 |
Recap of Day 1 and Introduction to Day 2 Francisca Martín Vergara |
| 09:45 – 11:00 |
Session 3: Digital Platforms Tailored to Alliances’ Needs Agora Platform – Jesús Alcober (AupaEU Project, Polytechnic University of Catalonia) Outfox Platform – Marcel Oostdijk (Outfox) |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 – 13:00 |
Session 4: Platform Users’ Perspectives – Case studies and lessons learned Agora Users – UNITE! (Jesús Alcober) Outfox Users – COLOURS (Miloš Borozan) |
| 13:00 – 13:15 |
Closing Remarks – Summary and acknowledgements Francisca Martín Vergara, Amparo Zamora Mogollo |
Register here for the workshop
Participation in the workshop is free of charge. Social activities (dinner and cultural visits) are subject to a 60€ fee. If you wish to attend these, instructions on payment will appear onscreen after registration.
Thank You For Registering
If you chose to take part in the social activities and dinner, please pay the 60€ here
Please keep in mind that the conference and workshop social activities and dinner are the same. If you have already paid for the dinner when registering for the conference, DO NOT PAY AGAIN.
Thank You For Your Question
We will get back to you with an answer shortly.
