ResearchThe research at the Faculty of Science and Technology is characterized by an inter- to transdisciplinary spectrum of topics, focusing on natural (e.g. forests, grasslands, rivers, high-mountain environments) and anthropogenic environments (e.g. urban–industrial spaces, agricultural land, vineyards and orchards) and related patterns and processes.

Our faculty is particularly specialized on mountain environments such as the Alps or similar ecosystems and landscapes. Main research topics are:

• management of biotic and abiotic resources;

• energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;

• quality of life;

Management of biotic and abiotic resources: this area aims at improving the ability of the alpine environment to provide ecosystem services when subjected to human management like agriculture or forestry. More specifically, studies are devoted to the development of a sustainable management framework of native resources such as natural biodiversity, water, air and soil. The ultimate objective is to provide scientific understanding of the ecological processes and the dynamics behind the ecosystem functions which represent the prerequisite for the development of innovative, environmentally-friendly agricultural and forestry systems.  

Energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy sources: this research area focuses on some aspects of human activities that take place in the alpine environment and which directly or indirectly affect the quality of life and the availability of biotic and abiotic resources. These include: (1) enhancing energetic efficiency; (2) monitoring and reducing net greenhouse gas emissions; and (3) developing alternative energy production systems. The ultimate research objective is to ameliorate the efficiency of the process of energy production through the use of more sustainable and ecological sources of energy (biomass, urban wastes, mud from wastewater plants etc.), applicable to agriculture, urban environments and human activities.  

Quality of life: this topic refers to the development of a type of resource management which leads to an improved and reorganized overall quality of life for both humans and other living organisms. This objective can be achieved through a careful coordination of resource management and energetic efficiency. The research area is specifically devoted to improving landscape healthiness, recovering soil, water and air quality, minimizing pollution and increasing food quality.  

The Faculty prides itself on contributing to the vast canon of technical-scientific research by offering specialized projects alongside its core didactic focus. The major areas of research address issues related to engineering, agriculture and “CasaClima”. The common denominator linking these sectors is a broader issue of alpine environment.

While any research will be promptly published in peer-reviewed international journals, periodicals or books, or presented at international conferences, there will be a determined effort to bring any novel research to patent.  


Strategies for achieving research objectives

• Interaction between scientific sectors of the Faculty is encouraged by the formation of working groups which focus on specific areas of research.

• Interaction with local Research Institutes (Eurac, Laimburg Institute for Experimental Research) and with other national and international research institutes.

• Modern research laboratories equipped with the latest analytical instruments. PhD programmes offered in collaboration with other universities, and training programmes for technical-scientific assistants.

• Research projects include currently enrolled students.