Thursday, 11 June 2026 Best Paper Award at ACM UMAP 2026 for UP FAMNIT researchers
Dr. Marko Tkalčič and Assist. Uroš Sergaš have received the Best Paper Award in the late-breaking results (LBR) track at the ACM UMAP 2026 conference, which is taking place from June 8 to 11 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
ACM UMAP (User Modeling, Adaptation and Personalization) is one of the leading international conferences in the field of user modeling, personalization, and adaptive intelligent systems, and is ranked as an A-category conference according to the CORE ranking.
The award-winning paper, titled "Progress Feedback for Countering Selective Exposure: When Visualization Can Backfire", was developed in collaboration with researchers from Jönköping University, Sweden. The authors include Janine Riemann, Jasmin Alt, Uroš Sergaš, Marko Tkalčič, and Bruce Ferwerda.
The study explores whether different types of visual feedback about users’ news consumption can reduce selective exposure—i.e., the tendency to prefer information that confirms existing beliefs. The authors compared an analytic visualization of viewpoint balance with a metaphorical “growth” visualization framing exposure to opposing views as personal development. In a controlled experiment with 84 participants, neither approach significantly increased engagement with belief-opposing content compared to a control condition.
These results suggest that simple visualization-based feedback alone is not sufficient to meaningfully change users’ information-seeking behavior, and that more advanced or structural interventions may be needed.
We sincerely congratulate the award recipients on this achievement.
Wednesday, 10 June 2026 UP FAMNIT students take first place at national BISC-E competition with the SediMateria project
A team of students from the University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT), has won first place in the Slovenian round of the Bio-based Innovation Student Challenge Europe (BISC-E), a Europe-wide student competition that promotes bio-based innovation and entrepreneurship. With this achievement, the team has qualified for the European final, where it will represent Slovenia in September 2026. This is also the first time the University of Primorska has participated in the competition.
The winning project, From Sawmill Residues and Marine Sediments to Sustainable Construction (SediMateria), explores the development of a sustainable building product by combining marine sediments from the Port of Koper with sawmill residues. The project investigates the development of a bio-clay board, a non-load-bearing building element made from biological and geological resources for insulation and interior finishing. By linking waste and residual streams, the project proposes an innovative product that reduces resource consumption, lowers environmental impact, and supports the transition to a bio-based, circular construction sector.
The project was developed under the supervision of Dr. Andreja Kutnar, department chair of InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM. The team consists of Katarina Legat and Zoja Mohorčič, students of the Master’s programme Sustainable Built Environments, and Špela Vrtovec, Una Vuletić, Erfan Asgari and Olga Srejić, PhD candidates in the doctoral programme Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments, who are also involved in research activities at InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM.
BISC-E (Bio-based Innovation Student Challenge Europe) is a Europe-wide student competition that promotes entrepreneurship and encourages students to develop innovative bio-based products and processes that address technological, environmental, and societal challenges. The European final brings together the winning teams from national competitions across participating European countries. The national coordinator of the competition is SRIP – Circular Economy, in collaboration with the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana.
Tuesday, 9 June 2026 We Hosted Students from the Technical Gymnasium of the ŠC Kranj
Today, we welcomed 53 students and four accompanying teachers from the Technical Gymnasium of the Kranj School Centre to UP FAMNIT's premises.
Upon arrival, the students were divided into two groups and given a detailed introduction to our Computer Science programme. They learned about the curriculum, practical work opportunities, research activities, and career prospects for graduates.
After the presentation, the students attended a workshop titled "Full Body Motion Capture ," where they explored the basics of full-body motion capture technology. They learned how these systems are used for character animation in films, video games, and virtual reality. Through hands-on activities, they tested different techniques and gained insight into data processing and its use in digital environments.
As part of their visit, the students also visited the company Titus in Dekani, where they were introduced to the company's operations and activities.
Monday, 8 June 2026 Presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation of Aja Bončina
We invite you to the presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation Application of novel molecular tools to investigate ecology and immunological traits of wild boar of the student Aja Bončina, enrolled in the doctoral study programme Conservation Biology (in Slovene).
The presentation will take place on Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at 11.00 in the classroom Livade-BOTANIKA.
You are kindly invited!
Thursday, 4 June 2026 International Academy of Wood Science Appoints First Female Vice President on Its 60th Anniversary – Prof Andreja Kutnar from University of Primorska
On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS) has appointed its first female Vice President. Professor Andreja Kutnar of the University of Primorska was elected to this historic role on June 2, 2026. She has been a Fellow of the IAWS since 2021.
Founded on June 2, 1966, in Paris, the IAWS is a non-profit global organization that brings together leading experts across all fields of wood science and related technologies. With more than 400 Fellows representing every continent, the Academy has, for six decades, fostered international collaboration and excellence in wood science. Fellowship in the IAWS is awarded through a rigorous process of nomination and election, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field.
Marking a significant milestone in its history, the IAWS has, for the first time, elected a woman to its executive leadership. Professor Kutnar succeeds Professor Ingo Burgert from ETH Zurich, who assumed the role of IAWS President on the same day.
The 60th anniversary celebrations took place during an international conference held in Zurich, Switzerland, from June 1 to June 4, 2026, hosted by ETH Zurich. The event brought together more than 100 participants from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in wood and wood-based materials. During the conference, Professor Kutnar delivered a plenary lecture highlighting the research activities of InnoRenew CoE in the field of wood science.
Her election as IAWS Vice President further strengthens the University of Primorska's international standing within the global scientific community.
Reflecting on her appointment, Professor Kutnar stated: “The IAWS is home to many renowned wood scientists with exceptional knowledge from around the globe. My ambition is to open doors for young wood scientists, supporting them in becoming the future leaders of wood science worldwide.”
Photo: Miran Kambič
Thursday, 4 June 2026 Visit of Pupils from Vojka Šmuc Primary School, Izola: From aromatic plants and Markov chains to Slovenia’s largest wooden building
Today, 16 pupils from Vojka Šmuc Primary School in Izola visited us as part of the T4EU Pupils Labs initiative, which aims to bring research, science, and the concept of knowledge-based entrepreneurship closer to young people.
Following an introductory presentation of the UP FAMNIT and the T4EU initiative, the pupils participated in two interactive workshops. Dr. Alenka Baruca Arbeiter led the workshop Exploring Aromatic Plants Through Research, during which the pupils learned about medicinal and aromatic Mediterranean plants such as immortelle (Helichrysum italicum), winter savory, and lavender. They explored the characteristics and uses of these plants, learned about the production of essential oils, hydrolats, and other plant extracts, and gained insight into research activities related to their sustainable cultivation. Dr. Ana Zalokar conducted the workshop From Snakes and Ladders to Stock Prices. Through board games, pupils were introduced to Markov chains and their application in predicting various processes. During the workshop, they counted pathways, forecast weather patterns, and explored stock market price movements.
A special highlight of the visit was a tour of the InnoRenew CoE laboratories, guided by Dr. Črtomir Tavzes. The pupils visited Slovenia’s largest wooden building and learned about its sustainable features, the use of locally sourced materials, and energy-efficient solutions that help reduce the environmental impact of modern construction.
