WHO WE ARE
THE CONSORTIUM
Our interdisciplinary consortium involves computer scientists, CCIs, academia from various disciplines, including social sciences, SMEs, public authorities, and non-profit community initiatives to focus on engaging citizens, and ensuring widespread communication and exploitation of CULTURATI in Europe and internationally.
bİLKENT unıversıty, coordınator
Founded in 1984, Bilkent University is Türkiye’s first private university. Located in Ankara, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes across engineering, social sciences, management, fine arts, and the humanities. The university hosts the country’s largest academic library and supports innovation through Bilkent Cyberpark, one of Türkiye’s leading technoparks. Bilkent University has strong experience in national and international research collaboration, with extensive participation in EU-funded programmes, including Horizon and ERC projects, and a robust record of international and national patents.
EDA GÜREL
coordınator & managıng dırector
Eda is an Assistant Professor at Bilkent University with a PhD in Business Administration and former Chair of the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management. Her research focuses on museums, experience economy, cultural consumption, tourism ethics, and entrepreneurship, with publications in SSCI journals. She holds a USPTO patent for a system enabling games and routes for cultural and natural heritage and has developed the online course Marketing Museums and Visitor Attractions for the UNWTO Online Tourism Academy. Her work bridges academic research, innovation, and practice in the cultural and creative industries. Eda is the Project Coordinator and Managing Director of CULTURATI.
HALİL ALTAY GÜVENİR
EXPERIENCED RESEARCHER
Altay is a Full Professor with a PhD in Computer Engineering and currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. His primary research expertise lies in artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on machine learning. He has developed and applied advanced machine learning methods across a range of domains, including medicine and finance. Prof. Güvenir has an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications and has been actively involved in internationally funded research projects supported by European and transatlantic programmes. His work bridges theoretical AI research with practical, real-world applications, contributing significantly to interdisciplinary innovation.
ARZU SİBEL İKİNCİ
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
Arzu holds a postgraduate degree in Curriculum Development and Instruction from Bilkent University and a BSc in Economics from Hacettepe University. She has extensive experience in training and learning design, having worked for many years as a training specialist and director in the IT sector. At Bilkent University, she served as a founding member and Assistant Chair of the Business Information Management Department and coordinated an EU-funded project focused on knowledge management. She has contributed to the development of business case studies, academic publications, and national training programmes in knowledge management. She is currently a board member of the University’s Learning and Development Centre.
NEŞE ŞAHİN ÖZÇELİK
researcher
Neşe holds an MSc in Computer Science and has been an instructor in the Information Systems and Technologies Department for many years, teaching Frontend Web Technologies and Mobile Application Development. She has extensive experience in front-end and back-end web development, mobile application development, and object-oriented programming using languages such as C++, Java, and C#. Within the CULTURATI project, she contributes to the development and integration of core technological components, supporting the design and implementation of innovative digital solutions for cultural heritage and visitor engagement.
IŞIN NUR GÜRER
PROJECT ASSISTANT
Işın is the Project Assistant for the CULTURATI Project at Bilkent University. She is an interdisciplinary creator with a career rooted in science, experienced in institutional communication, and maintaining an independent artistic practice. Within the CULTURATI Project, she supports project management through process tracking, detailed documentation, evaluation, and archiving, as well as contributing to user experience improvement of the digital app. She designs printed and digital content for social media, produces professional video and visual training materials, supports academic work through data collection tools and surveys, and contributes to the planning, coordination, and operational management of national events.
ANKARA GOVERNORSHIP
The Governorship of Ankara is the appointed public authority responsible for coordinating public administration across Ankara Province in Türkiye. As the capital city, Ankara is a major centre for education, research, culture, and public governance. The Governorship has the legal mandate to coordinate and support directorates across areas such as culture, education, tourism, science, and social policy, and to foster inter-institutional cooperation. A key priority is the preservation and promotion of Ankara’s cultural and historical heritage. Through its EU and Foreign Affairs Unit, the Governorship actively supports and coordinates European Union–funded projects, including CULTURATI.
HARUN KAYA
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
Harun Kaya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Ankara University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Selçuk University. He has completed his PhD in Business Management at Istanbul Aydın University. He began his career in public service as a district governor candidate and has since developed extensive expertise in public administration, administrative law, policy analysis, community relations, crisis management, strategic planning, and teamwork. He currently serves as Deputy Governor of the Ankara Governorship and acts as the legal representative of the CULTURATI project. In this role, he supports inter-institutional coordination and the effective implementation of the project at the local governance level.
NACİYE ÇAKIRER
pilot site coordınator & early stage researcher
Naciye is pursuing a doctoral degree in Management Information Systems at Ufuk University and holds a Master’s degree in Information Technologies from Gazi University. She has extensive experience in coordinating Erasmus+ strategic partnerships addressing key societal challenges, including violence prevention, peer bullying, cultural awareness, museum education, disability advocacy, youth development, and career planning. Specialising in international project management, she provides training on project design, methodology, and local implementation. She serves as the Horizon Europe CULTURATI project coordinator and researcher at the Ankara Governorship and has managed numerous projects funded by Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, TÜBİTAK, and the Ankara Development Agency.
GAMZE GONCA ÖZYURT
cONTENT COORDINATOR & eARLY sTAGE rESEARCHER
Gamze serves as a Project Coordinator at the Governorship while pursuing doctoral studies in Mathematics at Middle East Technical University and Adult Education at Ankara University. She has extensive experience coordinating Erasmus+ and TÜBİTAK projects and organising educational workshops, drawing on strong analytical and evaluation skills. She has participated in international training programmes supported by the Council of Europe and the Comenius Programme, focusing on innovative non-formal education methods. Her academic background includes presenting research at national and international conferences. Ms. Özyurt also contributes as a researcher and project coordinator to the Horizon Europe CULTURATI project.
SERKAN SAVAŞ
RESEARCHER
Serkan has his PhD in computer engineering. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Kırıkkale University. Dr Savaş supports domain expertise for the entire digital and end-to-end system, including Artificial Intelligence. His expertise areas are Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Data Mining, Big Data and Cyber Security. He has many articles, conference papers, books and book chapters published in his fields of expertise. He has completed many international and national projects as a project coordinator.
ŞÜKRÜ CAN YILMAZ
EU & External Relations Unit Coordinator at Ankara governorshıp
Şükrü serves as the EU External Relations Unit Coordinator at the Ankara Governorship, where he manages correspondence, stakeholder engagement, and project reporting. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mathematics, providing a strong analytical foundation for his work in statistics, data analysis, and compliance monitoring. Mr. Yılmaz also completed studies at Anadolu University’s Faculty of Business Administration and Atatürk University’s Department of Justice, enhancing his expertise in administrative, legal, and cross-sectoral coordination. In the project, he supports effective communication, data management, and alignment with EU frameworks.
bLENHEIM PALACE HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Blenheim Palace originated as a royal gift following a historic military victory and has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site of global significance. The Palace, surrounding park, and wider estate are central to local communities and attract visitors from around the world. Guided by a strong commitment to sustainability, Blenheim aims to protect its unique heritage while reducing its environmental impact. Its mission is to share and preserve this exceptional place for future generations, enhance local quality of life, and support the regional economy.
HEATHER CARTER
MANAGING DIRECTOR, BLENHEIM PALACE VISITOR ATTRACTION
Heather is the Managing Director of the visitor attraction at Blenheim Palace, where she oversees all aspects of visitor operations, including events, guest services, retail, and catering. In this senior leadership role, she is responsible for delivering high-quality visitor experiences and ensuring operational excellence across the estate. With a long-standing career at Blenheim, Heather brings extensive expertise in tourism management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. She plays a key role in driving sustainable growth, strengthening community partnerships, and enhancing the cultural and economic impact of the organisation.
DAVID GREEN
INNOVATION MANAGER AT BLENHEIM
David serves as Head of Innovation at Blenheim Palace, where he drives the development and implementation of novel business methods and innovative concepts to enhance organisational value. His role focuses on building a culture of continual improvement, integrating diverse datasets through data and IoT infrastructures, and identifying opportunities to improve visitor experiences. He leads research and development activities, fostering strategic partnerships with universities to connect academic expertise with practical challenges. David also founded the Innovation and Continual Improvement Network and was recognised among the UK’s IT Leaders for his influence in digital innovation.
ANTONIA KEANEY
CONTENT CREATOR
Antonia is a Social History Researcher at Blenheim Palace with extensive experience in developing educational programmes and curating in-house exhibitions. Since joining the education team, she has designed learning activities for audiences ranging from early years to higher education. As curator and co-curator, she has led exhibitions on themes including fashion, film, the Victorians, and the Roaring Twenties. She regularly delivers public talks and virtual tours and is an Arts Society accredited lecturer. Antonia holds a BA (Hons) in Italian and European Studies and is the author of several publications on Blenheim Palace. She is currently researching a new book on the Palace’s role during the Second World War.
Haaga-Helia Unıversıty of applıed scıences
Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Finland. A strongly business-oriented institution based in Helsinki, HHU actively participates in European Union–funded projects and also acts as a project coordinator. Its profile focuses on service business, sales, entrepreneurship, and higher-education pedagogy. HHU integrates applied research into teaching and promotes continuous learning through strong national and international cooperation networks, preparing graduates for diverse professional careers.
marıo passos Ascenção
experıenced researcher
Dr. Ascenção is a principal lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences holding a Ph.D. in marketing. His subject area is Sustainable Tourism Marketing in World Heritage Sites. He is a Certified Experience Expert by the Lapland Centre of Expertise for the Experience Industry (now House of Lapland), an Accredited Service Design Master Trainer by the Service Design Network (SDN), and a Certified Facilitator of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method by the Association of Master Trainers. His current teaching, training, research and publications focus on service design, experience design, sustainable marketing, algorithm management, and the experience economy.
ROBIN LYBECK
RESEARCHER
Robin is an urban sociologist and Project Expert in the Horizon Europe RIA project CULTURATI at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. His expertise covers digital transformations of society, including AI, urban and media sociology, and the sociology of innovation and economics. He is pursuing a doctorate at Åbo Akademi University, focusing on digital media, e-participation, and social change. His background includes research roles at the University of Turku and Örebro University, extensive higher education teaching experience, long-term NGO engagement in culture and advocacy, and service on Porvoo City Council.
IOTIQ GMBH
Founded in 2017 in Leipzig Germany, IOTIQ has been specializing in IoT, mobile device management, software development, and R&D. IOTIQ is also part of R&D projects, advancing its knowledge in IoT, IIoT, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Mining, Digital Twins, Edge Computing and DLT Interoperability. IOTIQ’s expertise in the requirements definition, software architecture design, and software development of backend, mobile apps, and websites will majorly contribute to developing the project’s server-side, website, and application. This partner will take the role of Innovation Management in the project.
METİN TEKKALMAZ
INNOVATION MANAGER & TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER
Metin holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and brings extensive experience from both academia and industry. His research background includes wireless sensor networks, mobile ad-hoc and heterogeneous networks, energy-efficient routing, and fault management in software systems. Alongside his academic work, he has designed and developed embedded and real-time systems, mission-critical applications, web-based platforms, IoT solutions, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Over the course of his career, he has worked as a developer, software architect, and team leader, contributing to complex systems across research and industrial contexts.
ÖZER AYDEMİR
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER
Özer holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Engineering from Bilkent University. He is the co-founder of IOTIQ GmbH and an experienced professional in software development and web technologies, with a long-standing background that includes senior and executive roles. His professional interests focus on Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, digital transformation, and innovative technology-driven services. Özer has been actively involved in designing and leading complex digital systems and contributes to international initiatives aimed at advancing smart, data-driven, and scalable technological solutions.
oğuz kurt
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER
Oğuz is the General Manager at Erste Software and Co-Founder of IOTIQ GmbH, bringing extensive leadership and technology expertise to both companies. He has a strong background in software development and business strategy, driving innovation and operational excellence. Mr. Kurt holds academic credentials from Middle East Technical University, which underpin his technical and managerial insight. In his roles, he focuses on delivering scalable digital solutions, fostering partnerships, and advancing technology adoption in enterprise and IoT-related domains. He has extensive experience working with international projects and multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative digital and IoT-based solutions.
İstanbul rahmİ m. koç museum
The Rahmi M. Koç Museum, as a part of the Rahmi M. Koç Museology and Culture Foundation, is a private non-profit institution dedicated to the collection, housing, research, preservation, and exhibition of objects and documentation relating to industry and engineering. Opened to public in 1994, the Rahmi M. Koç Museum is located in the Hasköy district on the northern shore of the Golden Horn. Today, the Museum covers an area of approximately 27,000 square metres and comprises three main sections: the Mustafa V. Koç Building / the historic Lengerhane Building, the historic Hasköy Shipyard, and the Open-Air Exhibition Area. The Museum’s collections include some of the most outstanding examples of industrial heritage related to communication and transportation.
MİNE SOFUOĞLU
GENERAL MANAGER, RAHMİ M. KOÇ MUSEUM
Mine holds an M.A. in Classical Archaeology and currently serves as the General Manager of the Rahmi M. Koç Museums in Turkey. She is a member of ICOM Turkey and the Association of Museum Professionals in Turkey. Her professional experience includes positions at The Henry Ford Museum in the USA and Hampshire County Council Museums & Archives Service in the UK. She worked at the Ankara Rahmi M. Koç Museum between 2005 and 2020 in various roles and played an active role in the museum’s expansion and the establishment of the Ayvalık Rahmi M. Koç Museum. She also holds a USPTO patent for a system creating games and routes for cultural and natural heritage and has been awarded the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia for her contributions to Turkish–Italian cultural relations.
selen İşyar
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, RAHMİ M. KOÇ MUSEUM
Selen has been working at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum since 2006 and currently serves as Deputy General Manager, contributing to both strategic decision-making and day-to-day operations. She holds a B.A. in History from Boğaziçi University. Following her undergraduate studies, she lived in Toronto, Canada, where she held various positions within the Government of Ontario and completed a business certification at the University of Toronto. After returning to Turkey, she earned an M.A. in Public Relations from Galatasaray University. She is also actively involved in outreach and educational activities, supporting public engagement and professional exchange in the museum and cultural heritage field.
SELİN FİSUN YILMAZ ERKAL
CONTENT CREATOR FOR CULTURATI
Fisun has been working as the Corporate Communication Senior Specialist at Rahmi M. Koç Museum since 2007. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Relations and Advertising from Marmara University, specializing in the Department of Advertising and Promotion, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Turkish Language and Literature.
She brings over a decade of diverse professional experience. Her international roles at Dali’s Universe-Salvador Dali Museum in London and Leonard Cheshire Foundation-CSV in Chichester, complement her early career as the Gallery Manager at Cream Art Gallery in Istanbul. This journey has equipped her with a comprehensive skill set in communication, arts, and marketing.
ZEYNEP TEKER
CONTENT CREATOR FOR CULTURATI
Zeynep has been serving as a Collection Management Senior Specialist at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum since 2014, overseeing collection care, documentation, and conservation processes. Prior to this role, she worked as a Museum Marketing and Public Relations Specialist between 2007 and 2014, gaining extensive experience in museum communication and visitor engagement. She holds a B.A. in Archaeology from Istanbul University and has participated in several national and international research and excavation projects led by Istanbul University, the Archaeological Settlements of Turkey initiative, and Sapienza University of Rome. She also played an active role in the establishment of the Cunda and Ayvalık Rahmi M. Koç Museums and Safranhan.
BEGÜM ERKAL
CONTENT CREATOR FOR CULTURATI
Begüm is a Collections Specialist at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, where she contributes to the documentation, care, and management of museum collections. She holds a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from Istanbul University and a Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Conservation, and Criticism from Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts. Her background is complemented by pedagogical training, as well as specialised certificates in child development and game therapy. Ms. Erkan combines strong curatorial expertise with a growing focus on museum education, interpretation, and inclusive visitor engagement practices.
DAMLA ARAS
CONTENT CREATOR FOR CULTURATI
Damla has been working at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum since 2022 and currently serves as Corporate Communications Specialist. She holds a BA in Musicology from Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, Istanbul State Conservatory, and completed pedagogical training at Marmara University. She is currently pursuing undergraduate studies in Cultural Heritage and Tourism at Istanbul University. Her responsibilities include press relations, content creation, and the management of digital and printed communication materials. Her academic education and professional experience contribute to the development of the museum’s communication strategies and the enhancement of the visitor experience.
MERIDAUNIA SOC. CONS. ARL
Located in Italy, The Meridaunia Local Action Group is a public–private consortium bringing together municipalities, academic institutions, chambers of commerce, and local enterprises to support territorial development in rural and marginal areas. Acting as a local development agency, Meridaunia designs and implements strategies that foster entrepreneurship, job creation, and community-led growth through broad stakeholder engagement. Within the project, field activities will be carried out in one of the consortium’s municipalities, focusing on tangible and intangible cultural heritage, including food and wine culture, through the active involvement of local producers and stakeholders in content creation.
Danıele borrellı
DIRECTOR of merıdaunıa
Daniele has served as Director of Meridaunia Local Action Group since 2006, bringing extensive experience in coordinating and managing complex projects funded by European and regional programmes. His expertise includes strategic planning, territorial development, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable local growth. In his leadership role, he supports collaborative partnerships across public, private, and civil society sectors to drive community-led initiatives. Danielle’s work focuses on enhancing socio-economic resilience and fostering integrated development strategies within rural and marginal areas.
Angela Maria Loporchio
PILOT SITE COORDINATOR ın culturatı
Angela holds a Master’s degree in European Public Relations and has extensive experience managing and participating in European projects across multiple countries. She has successfully led and motivated multicultural and multidisciplinary teams working in areas such as agriculture, foodfood systems, tourism, education and training, and international associations and NGOs. Her expertise includes stakeholder engagement, project coordination, and participatory approaches. Within the CULTURATI project, she is responsible for coordinating cultural and creative industries and local citizens at the pilot site, ensuring the co-creation of content with strong artistic, cultural, and social value.
Alessandro d'Alsazia
CONTENT COORDINATOR ın culturatı
Alessandro is an experienced project manager with a strong focus on rural development, social economy, and European-funded initiatives. He has spent several years coordinating complex projects across multiple EU programmes, leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration among partner organisations. His work includes promoting sustainability, community participation, and innovative solutions in areas such as food systems, agroecology, and digital skills development. Alessandro’s expertise spans stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and content creation for international projects, contributing to meaningful impact and knowledge exchange across European contexts.
NIMBEO Estrategia e Innovacion, S. L.
Founded in 2012 in Spain, NIMBEO builds on cutting-edge IT solutions for companies in the field of technology-enhanced education, telecommunications, and Smart Grids. NIMBEO is fostering technological development and innovation, leveraging the creation and development of interactive environments in education and science communication, the use of new applications related to virtual networks and mobile devices, and, particularly, working on the concept of “Smart Big Data” to harness a new Industrial Revolution.
ANGEL LAGARES
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER
Angel holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and is currently the Chief Operating Officer of NIMBEO. He is also a Managing Partner at Universo Idea and has previously served as a Visiting Professor at Carlos III University of Madrid. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, where his doctoral research focused on Web service composition within the Service-Oriented Computing group. Angel also holds an MBA from EAE Business School and an M.Sc. in Computer Science Engineering from Carlos III University of Madrid. His profile combines strong technical expertise with solid managerial and entrepreneurial experience.
Yuliana Pérez Gallardo
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER
Yuliana has her Ph.D. in computer science and technology. She completed her PhD at Carlos III University of Madrid. She obtained a master’s degree in computer science from the Technological Institute of Orizaba (México). She has participated in several big data analytics and IoT elements projects in both commercial and R+ D+I areas. Responsible for projects for the management of Energy Balance and antifraud. High experience in communication protocols with Smart Meters and IoT elements, specifically in the architecture for managing and storing huge amounts of data.
Santiago Rondón Galvis
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER
Santiago is a Backend Software Developer with an M.Sc. in Computer Science from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, bringing solid technical expertise to software development and digital solutions. He is involved with Nimbeo and contributes to engineering backend systems and services that support scalable and efficient applications. His work includes collaboration on international projects and research initiatives, where he applies modern software practices and tools. Santiago’s profile reflects commitment to quality development, teamwork, and continuous learning in evolving technological environments.
OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
Oxford Brookes University (OBU), an associated partner from the UK, is internationally recognised for research in strategy, entrepreneurship, and tourism. The university has a strong track record in delivering multidisciplinary projects and training high-calibre students and researchers. Scholars at Oxford Brookes Business School address complex global challenges driven by technological innovation, demographic change, business internationalisation, and communication transformation. Through collaborations with universities, government bodies, and industry, OBU undertakes research projects with impact at local, national, and global levels.
levent altınay
experıenced researcher
Levent is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Oxford Brookes Business School and holds a Ph.D. in Management. He is Editor-in-Chief of The Service Industries Journal and serves on the editorial boards of several leading international journals, including Tourism Management. He has an outstanding record of securing competitive external research funding and has led major projects exploring the interface between culture and entrepreneurship. Levent has authored numerous high-impact publications and textbooks in strategic management and entrepreneurship. His research interests include consumer experience, engagement, cultural studies, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. He is the Research Leader of the CULTURATI project, supporting its scientific excellence and impact through strong academic and industry networks.
Zaid Alrawadieh
EXPERIENCED RESEARCHER
Zaid is a Senior Lecturer in Hospitality and Tourism Operations at Oxford Brookes Business School, where he teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He holds a PhD in Tourism Management from Istanbul University and has published widely in leading international tourism and hospitality journals. His research spans topics such as hospitality operations, tourist experience, heritage tourism, and sustainable tourism development. Zaid has led and contributed to competitive research projects and actively engages with international academic networks, strengthening evidence-based practice in tourism and hospitality education and research. He also brings strong experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, contributing to the design, analysis, and dissemination of high-quality academic research.
Porvoon kaupunkı
Porvoo is the second oldest town in Finland after Turku. The settlement in the Porvoo region began in the 13th and 14th centuries. People come from around the world to see the Old Town’s uniqueness. Old Porvoo, with its red-ochre painted riverside warehouses, is one of Finland’s most photographed national landscapes. The City Council of Porvoo promotes sustainable tourism and is the highest political decision-making body. The Municipal Board is responsible for leading and developing the city following the Council’s goals, plans, and decisions. Political decisions are also made in the city’s Delegations and Departments. The Mayor and Concern Administration is the highest civil official of the town.
Sari MYLLYNEN
Head of Tourism Development at City of Porvoo
Sari currently serves as the Head of Tourism Development for the City of Porvoo and brings extensive experience from the travel and hospitality industries. She is a seasoned tourism professional with strong expertise in tourism development, marketing management, web-based marketing strategies, business-to-business relations, and project management. Her professional profile combines strategic planning with hands-on operational experience. Sari holds a Master of Hospitality Management, specializing in Hospitality Administration and Management, from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, which complements her practical expertise in destination development and tourism governance.
tanja peısala
SPECıALIST ın tourısm & events for the Cıty of porvoo
Tanja is a Specialist in Tourism and Events for the City of Porvoo, with a professional background in destination promotion and event development. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Communication and Marketing Management. Her expertise includes marketing communications, website development, social media management, digital marketing technologies, and both external and internal communications. Tanja combines strategic communication skills with practical experience in public-sector tourism and event coordination, supporting the visibility and engagement of destinations through integrated and digital-first communication approaches.
SERDAR VURAL ÖKTEM
Serdar Vural Öktem represents an SME specialised in Agile software development based in Türkiye. The firm adopts a structured, customer-oriented approach with strong attention to detail. With solid expertise in business analysis, software development, product ownership, and project management, the company provides strategic and technical support to the project. Within CULTURATI, the firm is responsible for data management and data protection, ensuring full compliance with GDPR requirements across all work packages.
SERDAR VURAL ÖKTEM
SENIOR TECHNICAL CONSULTANT FOR DATA MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION IN CULTURATI
Serdar serves as Senior Technical Consultant for Data Management and Protection in the CULTURATI project. An experienced analyst and SME owner, he adopts a customer-focused and highly systematic approach with strong attention to detail. He holds an M.Sc. in Commerce and Marketing and completed advanced training in Database Management Systems at UCLA Extension and Oracle University. With nearly two decades of professional experience as a business analyst, software developer, product owner, and project manager, he oversees data security and GDPR compliance across all work packages. He also holds a USPTO patent for a system creating games and routes for cultural and natural heritage.
UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID
Since its foundation, Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M) in Spain has placed research at the core of its mission, strengthening both teaching quality and the development of new knowledge and research areas. The university’s research excellence and capacity have been widely recognised in national evaluation reports, where it has been ranked among the leading Spanish universities in competitive research. UC3M is highly active in European Union–funded research projects and frequently acts as a project coordinator. In this project, the university is responsible for quality assurance activities.
Juan Miguel Gomez Berbís
qUALITY aSSURANCE cOORDINATOR & TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER
Miguel has his Ph.D. in computer science and is a Full Professor (Catedrático de Universidad) at the Department of Computer Science in the Universidad Carlos III De Madrid. He obtained his Ph.D. from the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) at Galway’s National University of Ireland. He received his MBA from IE Business School, his Master’s Thesis in Software Engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne (Switzerland) and an MSc in Telecommunications Engineering from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). He was involved in several FP5 and FP6 European Research Projects, leading H2020 initiatives and ITEA3 major flagship projects.
Antonio de Amescua
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER
Antonio is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He has been Vice Dean of the Polytechnic School and has held relevant positions in the University management. Prof. de Amescua holds a PhD from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, has worked closely with the regional Madrid government and also with Ministerio de Industria with a number of software engineering standards and efforts. He has led and participated in a huge amount of EU projects and publications. His expertise in software engineering governance and standardisation has significantly contributed to the design and implementation of large-scale digital systems.
uNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FOGGIA
Founded by the Italian Ministry of Education, UNIFG has strong expertise in organizational studies and their application in the tourism sector. Its research focuses on innovation, information systems, and the use of digital tools at both organizational and territorial levels, as well as their effects on competitiveness. The university is highly active in regional, national, and international research projects. It adopts a dynamic and innovative approach to education and research, supported by strong internationalisation activities and dedicated research infrastructures in archaeology, cultural heritage, tourism economics, and business studies.
CLAUDIO NIGRO
EXPERIENCED RESEARCHER
Claudio is a Full Professor of Business Management and Marketing and holds a Ph.D. in Business Management. His scholarly work includes numerous monographs, essays, and international publications on business and organisational theories, with a particular focus on management, innovation, tourism, and territorial development. He has actively contributed to international conferences in his field and has received several academic awards for excellence. Prof. Nigro serves as Project Coordinator for the University of Foggia and is responsible for overseeing project management and research activities across all work packages involving UNIFG. He also has extensive experience coordinating multidisciplinary research teams and international projects.
ENRICA IANNUZZI
RESEARCHER
Enrica is an Associate Professor of Business Management at the Department of Economics and holds a Ph.D. in Marketing and Communication. She teaches Strategic Management, Marketing, and Corporate Digitalization. She actively contributes to the international academic debate through conference presentations and scholarly publications. Her research interests include business and organizational theories, organizational relationships, and digital strategy and innovation management, with particular emphasis on the tourism system. She is the author of monographs, book chapters, and international journal articles and has received Best Paper Awards at the Heritage, Tourism and Hospitality International Conference and the International Conference on Excellence in Services.
TOUCH TD LTD
Located in the UK, Touch TD Ltd is an SME with international expertise in sustainable culture, tourism, and heritage-based projects. Its distinctive approach applies anthropological insights and thick data methods to research, business development, and the exploitation of project outcomes. Touch TD has extensive experience across the full project lifecycle, including leadership of multi-partner initiatives and programme-level support. The company currently leads communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities in European projects and brings access to a broad global network spanning academia, international organisations, business, and the third sector to maximise impact and knowledge transfer.
Julie Scott
DEC DIRECTOR
Julie is an anthropologist specialising in tourism, cultural heritage, and sustainability. She holds a PhD in Social Anthropology and has over twenty-five years of experience in the UK higher education sector, teaching anthropology, tourism, and cultural heritage management, as well as field-based courses on tourism, culture, and development. Her research and publications address museums, tangible and intangible heritage, tourism and conflict, female entrepreneurship, and employment in tourism. She has worked internationally on consultancy, capacity-building, and training assignments for UNESCO, UNDP, the European Commission, and national governments. Julie is a member of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage and holds a PM4SD practitioner certificate.
Jonathan Karkut
DEC COORDINATOR
Jonathan holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Roehampton and is a co-founder of Touch TD Ltd. He is an anthropologist with expertise in geology, heritage, geoparks, and tourism. For more than two decades, he has led research, training, and consultancy projects in tourism, heritage, and sustainable development, working closely with public, private, and academic sector partners. His work focuses on delivering socially, culturally, and politically sensitive solutions in complex heritage contexts. An active member of ICOMOS UK and the ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee, Dr. Karkut has contributed to innovative UNESCO World Heritage collaborations, including work in sites characterised by contested and dissonant heritage.
STEFANIA CARDINALE
DEC ASSISTANT
Stefania holds a PhD in Culture, Tourism, and Development and has a multidisciplinary background in anthropology, oriental studies, cultural heritage, and communication. She ensures that local communities and stakeholders remain at the centre of project activities. She has worked internationally as a project manager and researcher, delivering consultancy, capacity building, and training for UNESCO and various NGOs. With extensive experience in third-sector training and international cooperation projects, she supports the development of culturally sensitive and context-specific solutions. Her strong communication skills translate complex ideas into practical strategies, fostering sustainable and long-term project impact.