http://hdl.handle.net/10174/979 2026-06-09T13:00:35Z 2026-06-09T13:00:35Z Nunez-Garcia, Alicia Fuente-Garcia, Sofia Lowemi, Erfan Masoodian, Masood Vieira, Renata Rodrigues, Aurea Luz, Saturnino http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42076 2026-06-01T09:31:30Z 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A study protocol for assessing the effects of intangible cultural heritage experiences on human well-being Authors: Nunez-Garcia, Alicia; Fuente-Garcia, Sofia; Lowemi, Erfan; Masoodian, Masood; Vieira, Renata; Rodrigues, Aurea; Luz, Saturnino Abstract: Background: While interventions have been designed which use extended reality (XR) technology in promoting physical, mental and social well-being through cultural heritage experiences, well-defined methodologies for the assessment of such interventions is lacking. Objectives: We present a protocol for evaluating the usability and effectiveness of an XR system that mediates and facilitates access to intangible cultural heritage experiences. We aim to assess the effects of these experiences on user well-being and attitudes across four case studies: ageing societies, sustainable tourism, disappearing communities, and immigration and multiculturalism. Methods and analysis: Participants will be randomly assigned to control or intervention groups. The effects of the XR intervention on well-being will be assessed through statistical analysis of the participants’ salivary cortisol and cortisone levels, physiological signals, and subjective ratings, both pre- and post-intervention and between control and intervention groups. Usability will be measured through a system usability scale. Speech will be recorded for qualitative and natural language processing analysis. Machine learning models will be developed for prediction of affect and well-being on multimodal data. Discussion: This is one of the first international and multidisciplinary studies to explore the effects of XR-mediated intangible cultural heritage experiences on well-being and attitudes towards issues of societal importance. One of the main strengths of this study is the range of data modalities it collects, and the range of methods it employs to analyse these data in a complementary manner, including qualitative, statistical and advanced machine learning methods. Conclusion: This protocol offers a method and four case studies to assess the potential of immersive XR experiences and interventions of intangible cultural heritage as contributors to increased well-being and as actors of societal change. It stands as a reference model for further similar interventions in the field.

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z Bassi, Davide San Martino, Giovanni Vieira, Renata Pereira-Farina, Martin http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42074 2026-06-01T09:23:35Z 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Drawing digital lines: pattern analysis of divisive rhetoric in social network discussions Authors: Bassi, Davide; San Martino, Giovanni; Vieira, Renata; Pereira-Farina, Martin Abstract: Social dialogue is a cornerstone for political decision-making and maintaining mutual understanding between diverse societal groups when addressing collective challenges. However, this dialogue is increasingly strained in digital environments where users regularly encounter opposing viewpoints. While research has examined how political actors strategically leverage divisive rhetoric, less attention has been paid to how ordinary users utilize these devices in everyday online interactions. This study investigates how users employ divisive rhetorical strategies across social networks, examining the relationships between topic controversiality, user stance, and interactive patterns. Through a large-scale analysis of 146K YouTube comments on immigration and climate change discussions—two highly polarizing topics in contemporary discourse. The research combines computational methods for rhetoric mining with network analysis to track patterns of user interaction and manifestation of divisive rhetoric. Our analysis reveals three key findings: (1) Controversial topics elicit significantly higher frequencies of divisive rhetorical strategies compared to non-controversial ones, with distinct patterns across topics; (2) Users demonstrating strong stance commitment (Pro and Contra) use significantly more divisive rhetoric with parallel patterns, regardless of ideological position, distinguishing them from neutral users; (3) Users strategically adapt their rhetorical behavior to their interlocutor’s stance, suggesting that stance intensity rather than specific ideological content drives rhetorical similarity. Framed through Social Identity Theory, we conceptualize these wedge rhetorical devices as an interactive toolkit that users deploy to navigate social positioning in deindividualized discussions, either reinforcing solidarity among users sharing similar positions or creating distinctions from those holding opposing views. This study shows how computational methods can effectively track and analyze the ways citizens strategically navigate social positioning on sensitive issues, contributing to our understanding of online political discourse dynamics.

2025-12-01T00:00:00Z von SCHÖNFELD, Kim ROBERTI, Clara LOPES, Bruno CONCEIÇÃO, Gisele C. http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42002 2026-05-13T16:09:14Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Interweaving environment, heritage, and society through “Cultures of Water”. An Introduction Authors: von SCHÖNFELD, Kim; ROBERTI, Clara; LOPES, Bruno; CONCEIÇÃO, Gisele C. Abstract: Cultures of Water provide a particularly useful lens through which to perceiveenvironment, heritage and society in conjunction within the scope of culturalstudies, with special consideration for an essential and powerful actor: water.This special issue provides examples of a myriad of perspectives,manifestations and consequences of what Cultures and Water have been, are,and can be. This introduction delivers an overview of the special issue, whilealso proposing ways that Cultures of Water can more broadly be seen as aconnector and a useful concept for further studies.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Bombico, Sónia Dias Garcia, Leonor http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41980 2026-05-08T15:13:31Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: European identity and cultural heritage: the Mediterranean has its say Authors: Bombico, Sónia; Dias Garcia, Leonor Abstract: Mediterranean Cultural Heritage (MCH) has become increasingly prominent within European cultural policy and identity-building strategies. This article explores how MCH has been addressed in European initiatives and academic research, combining qualitative analysis of institutional and policy frameworks with bibliometric network analysis. The study focuses on three main areas: the role of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in heritage-related actions; the presence of MCH in two key European initiatives — the European Heritage Label and the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe; and the identification of trends in European academic production since the launch of the Barcelona Process in 1995. Findings show that MCH has been mobilised as a tool for cultural diplomacy, regional cooperation,and the promotion of shared values, although its representation often remains implicit and fragmented. While initiatives such as the Day of the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue highlight growing recognition of Mediterranean diversity,challenges persist concerning Eurocentrism, limited inclusivity, and instrumentalisation of heritage. Bibliometric analysis also reveals a strong focus on themes such as sustainability, climate change, and intangible heritage, with the Mediterranean Diet emerging as a particularly influential topic. The article concludes that MCH is increasingly used to support European identity narratives and regional engagement, yet calls for more integrated and participatory approaches that reflect the complexity of the Mediterranean space and its diverse cultural legacies.

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