Event Type : Convention

From May 6 to June 13, 2025, the 12th edition of MANTOVARCHITETTURA will take place, whose theme, “Architecture and Conflict,” will address the problem of armed conflict, forced migration, and climate change in contexts such as-among others-Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Myanmar, Sudan, and Yemen. Within this framework, MANTOVARCHITETTURA 2025 investigates the connection between architecture and conflict by analyzing the complexity of this binomial according to different cultural and disciplinary perspectives, and through the dialogue between multiple historical-critical narratives, in a contemporary perspective.

MANTOVARCHITETTURA invites students, professionals and citizens to an open discussion on the implications of architecture in these scenarios, stimulating a deep and multidisciplinary dialogue. The event investigates four different perspectives of conflict: architecture and armed conflict, conflicting memories, conflicts of interest and inner conflict. These paths offer alternative and complementary viewpoints to analyze architecture’s contribution to understanding and managing conflict.

MANTOVARCHITETTURA is an event launched in 2014 within the UNESCO Chair in Architectural Preservation and Planning in Heritage Cities, favored by the international dimension in which Mantova and the Politecnico di Milano are placed. The main protagonists have always been the students, who have the opportunity to listen to and meet architects from all over the world who develop the new architecture starting from the knowledge of the ancient roots of this art, thus making the confrontation between masters and students lively, in a perspective founded on the value of history as a ground on which to cultivate the design of living spaces.

Discover the full program on the website mantovarchitettura.polimi.it

Lunch Seminar in presence

Andrés Ramírez Portilla
Ibero-American University, Mexico

This seminar will explore the integration and challenges of inter- and transdisciplinary research through the lens of innovation management. Innovation, by its very nature, is a cross-cutting and systemic phenomenon that requires collaboration across diverse fields of knowledge. While this interconnection offers unique opportunities for richer analysis and broader impact, it also presents significant challenges in terms of language, methodology, institutional logic, and research evaluation. Drawing on practical cases and project-based experiences, the seminar will discuss topics such as technology transfer in academic settings, entrepreneurship education, the forced adoption of innovations, the use of artificial intelligence to enhance creativity, and the integration of futures design with other disciplinary and methodological frameworks. Rather than offering prescriptive models, the seminar will present lessons learned—both successes and failures—gathered from real-world interdisciplinary projects. The aim is to foster critical reflection among participants on how to approach innovation-related research that transcends disciplinary boundaries. Through the exchange of situated insights and experiences, attendees will be invited to reflect on possible paths, common pitfalls, and emerging practices that may inform their own collaborative research efforts.

Andrés Ramírez-Portilla is Associate Professor and Research Coordinator at the Department of Business Studies at Ibero-American University in Mexico City. His academic and professional work focuses on open innovation, innovation management, design thinking, project management, and futures design. In recent years, his research has explored how innovations—both voluntary and imposed—are adopted and diffused across organizations, using inter- and transdisciplinary approaches. He has led and participated in various international research collaborations, contributing to publications and conferences on innovation in Latin America and the Global South. Beyond academia, he provides consulting services to private organizations, helping them develop innovation strategies and future-oriented decision-making processes. Dr. Ramírez-Portilla holds a dual Ph.D. in Industrial Management and Economics from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm and the Department of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering (DIG) at Politecnico di Milano. Since 2017, he has been a Scientific Panel Member of ISPIM (International Society for Professional Innovation Management).

Please click here to register.

Lunch seminar in presence

V.G. Venkatesh
EM Normandie Business School, France

Abstract:

Academic research is experiencing a major shift, prioritizing the real-world impact of scholarly work over mere quantitative output. This seminar will explore diverse strategies for producing meaningful research, incorporating insights from editors, reviewers, and researchers themselves. Attendees will learn best practices to elevate the quality of their work, overcome common challenges, and refine their research focus. The session will foster knowledge-sharing to help participants optimize their projects and enhance research efficiency. Key topics will include generating innovative ideas, implementing research effectively, and broadening the reach of academic outputs. Additionally, the seminar will examine how to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring research addresses real-world problems and creates tangible value.

V.G. Venkatesh is a Full-Professor of Global Supply Chain Management at EM Normandie Business School and a corporate trainer with a Ph.D. in global sourcing from Waikato University in New Zealand, and brings 23 years of experience with industry stints from Bangladesh, Honduras, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka, and academic experience in Europe & Asia-Pacific regions. He is a certified supply chain professional from APICS-USA, a qualified trainer, and a member of reputable operations societies worldwide. He is the Co-Director of the Institute of New Economy and Global Supply Chain Management, and serves as Associate Editor for several top-tier management journals. He has authored/Co-authored papers in ABDC (A*/A), ABS, CNRS listed/top-ranked journals such as Transportation Research (Part E & D), IJPE, IJPR, TFSC, SCM-IJ, PPC, JCP, JRCS, and ANOR. His research interests are supply networks, logistics infrastructure, digitalization, and sustainability.

Register

From May 6 to June 13, 2025, the 12th edition of MANTOVARCHITETTURA will take place, whose theme, “Architecture and Conflict,” will address the problem of armed conflict, forced migration, and climate change in contexts such as-among others-Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Myanmar, Sudan, and Yemen. Within this framework, MANTOVARCHITETTURA 2025 investigates the connection between architecture and conflict by analyzing the complexity of this binomial according to different cultural and disciplinary perspectives, and through the dialogue between multiple historical-critical narratives, in a contemporary perspective.

MANTOVARCHITETTURA invites students, professionals and citizens to an open discussion on the implications of architecture in these scenarios, stimulating a deep and multidisciplinary dialogue. The event investigates four different perspectives of conflict: architecture and armed conflict, conflicting memories, conflicts of interest and inner conflict. These paths offer alternative and complementary viewpoints to analyze architecture’s contribution to understanding and managing conflict.

MANTOVARCHITETTURA is an event launched in 2014 within the UNESCO Chair in Architectural Preservation and Planning in Heritage Cities, favored by the international dimension in which Mantova and the Politecnico di Milano are placed. The main protagonists have always been the students, who have the opportunity to listen to and meet architects from all over the world who develop the new architecture starting from the knowledge of the ancient roots of this art, thus making the confrontation between masters and students lively, in a perspective founded on the value of history as a ground on which to cultivate the design of living spaces.

Discover the full program on the website mantovarchitettura.polimi.it