Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), 15 June 2026 – The highly anticipated ACE-SCHOLAR Workshop #1, themed “Research Ethics: Co-creation in Action,” began with an unforgettable excursion that set the tone for four days of interdisciplinary collaboration, participatory research, and ethical exploration. Hosted by CUAS as part of the ACE2-EU Alliance, this workshop brings together researchers and research students from ACE2-EU partner universities to dive deep into the principles of research integrity, stakeholder engagement, and co-creative methodologies.
A Day of Discovery: Affenberg Monkey Mountain
The journey started at Villach Main Station, where participants from across Europe gathered with excitement and curiosity. A scenic bus ride led the group to the Affenberg Research Station aka Affenberg Monkey Mountain, where they were treated to a special tour that highlighted the intersection of ethical research and natural habitats. Guided by Angela Stojan from Abenteuer Affenberg, the participants observed primate behaviour firsthand, sparking discussions on animal ethics, observational research, and the role of co-creation in scientific inquiry.
“We strive to be silent observers, minimising our interference and ensuring our research is non-invasive. Above all, we must never inflict pain or inconvenience on the animals. Ethics demand that we lead by example: if we don’t want harm done to us, we must not harm others. Any knowledge gained must always outweigh the harm caused.”
– Angela Stojan, Researcher and Tour Guide at Abenteuer Affenberg (Monkey Mountain)
“Today reminded me that the best adventures are the ones that teach us something and introduce us to amazing people.” – Alexandra-Georgiana Mituică from University Constantin Brâncusi Târgu, Romania
Setting the Stage for the Workshop
Looking forward to the next few days, the day concluded with a recap and briefing for Day 2, where the focus will shift to participatory research in theory and practice.
The following day’s sessions will take place at the CUAS Klagenfurt Primoschgasse Campus, where participants will engage in further team building, theoretical sessions on participatory research, group work and many more valuable sessions. The energy and camaraderie built during the excursion promise to fuel the capacity building, innovation, and peer learning that define the ACE-SCHOLAR programme.
Stay tuned for more updates as we dive deeper into research ethics, co-creation, and the future of collaborative learning!
