Museum, AI, Education - talks by Antonella Poce, Visiting Professor (University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy)

Welcome to Antonella Poce, professor at the University of Roma Tor Vergata (Italy) and a specialist in museums, museum education and digital issues in Italy, Europe and the United States. She is being hosted at Avignon Université as part of a European mobility programme. She will be giving a lecture in English at the Villa Créative, open to all, as well as two lectures for our students (Masters, Bachelors).

Tuesday 17 February 2026: Conference at the Villa Créative
Wednesday 18 February 2026: Teaching at Avignon University
Thursday 19 February 2026: Teaching at Avignon University

Conference at the Villa Créative - Wednesday 17 February :
Digital technologies and AI as cultural mediators: lessons from the SPARK project

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, immersive environments and 3D digitisation is profoundly transforming the way in which cultural heritage is accessed, interpreted and shared. Increasingly, these technologies are no longer limited to technical tools, but act as cultural and educational mediators, fostering inclusive, participatory and learner-centred heritage experiences. This presentation introduces the SPARK project, a case study exploring the integration of AI-driven systems, digital storytelling and object-based learning in the context of ancient film heritage. Focusing on the film Cabiria, SPARK has developed a virtual exhibition based on 3D digitised objects and a geolocated digital itinerary around Mount Etna. These two experiences are accessible via an AI-enhanced platform that adapts the content to users' profiles and educational needs. The presentation looks at the design choices made, the test phases carried out in schools and the main lessons for sustainable digital heritage education.

Find out more about Antonella Poce

Antonella Poce is University Professor of Experimental Pedagogy at the Department of History, Heritage, Education and Society at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where she teaches experimental pedagogy and research methodologies applied to museum education. She directs the INTELLECT International Research Centre for Heritage and Museum Education, Well-Being and Technology Applied to Education. She directs two joint postgraduate degrees (UNIMORE/UNIROMATRE) entitled Empirical Studies in Museum Education and Advanced Studies in Heritage Education. Finally, she coordinates numerous projects (national, international and European) and chairs international conferences (Europe, United States) as well as academic committees focusing on the evaluation of distance education. 

Selection of publications by the speaker :

• Poce, A. (2024). "Using AI for critical thinking assessment. A digital humanities education experience". In Creative Approaches to Technology-Enhanced Learning for the Workplace and Higher Education. Springer; 2024° edizione.
• Poce, A. (2020). Education research in museum settings: methodologies, tools and functions / La ricerca empirica al museo: metodologie, strumenti e funzioni. ISBN 978-88-495-4255-4. Edizioni Scientifiche Italiane: Napoli (pp. 114) (published in english and italian).
• Poce, A. (2018). Il Patrimonio culturale per lo sviluppo delle competenze nella scuola primaria/Cultural Heritage and the Development of XXI Century Skills in Primary Education. ISBN 978-88-917-6860-5. Franco Angeli: Milano (pp. 98) (published in english and italian).