A UNITA podcast on mountain huts as socio‑ecological systems

The School of Management (SAA) launches Hut Culture, a teaching and public‑engagement initiative developed within the Tourism Eco‑Management course (University of Turin, Prof. Riccardo Beltramo). Hut Culture is the English‑language Spotify channel, designed for an international audience; it is complemented by Rifugio vivo, an Italian‑language channel focused primarily on Italian huts (but not only).

Student teams will produce evidence‑based podcast episodes exploring mountain huts as socio‑ecological systems, where environmental management, hospitality, logistics, safety, cultural heritage and climate pressures meet in one concrete place.

The initiative is framed within UNITA – Universitas Montium, the European University Alliance rooted in rural, mountain and cross‑border territories, promoting innovation in education and mobility and advancing research across priority areas such as green energy, cultural heritage, circular economy, digital transition and inclusive societies.

In line with UNITA’s commitment to sustainability and to empowering students to act as European and global citizens connected to the UN SDGs and the European Green Deal, this project places sustainability analysis and evidence quality at its core.

Why a podcast (and why now)

Mountain huts bring together, in one highly tangible setting, key sustainability issues: water and energy management; solid waste and wastewater; supply and transport constraints; seasonality and risk management; changing demand patterns; and climate adaptation. Translating these evidence‑based insights into a clear narrative helps generate knowledge that is valuable for local communities, stakeholders, and mountain regions.

The 19 May launch event will also serve as an opportunity to communicate and discuss the results of the UNITA Starting Grant project “Observatory on Tourism in Mountain Refuges”, developed through an international collaboration between the University of Turin, the Transilvania University of Brașov) and the Tourism School of the University of Zaragoza.

In‑person launch event

The Hut Culture – Rifugio vivo initiative will be officially presented on 19 May, 5:30–6:30 pm, at the School of Management (SAA), Via Ventimiglia 115 (Turin), in the presence of:

• Dr Davide Caregnato – Director, School of Management
• Prof Alessandra Fiorio Pla – Rector’s Delegate for the UNITA – Universitas Montium Network
• Dr Cristina Ragionieri – Responsible for Erasmus mobility (SAA)
• Prof Riccardo Beltramo – Teacher, Tourism Eco‑Management course
• Prof Stefano Duglio – Scientific Coordinator, Starting Grant Project “Observatory on Tourism in Mountain Refuges”
• Prof Florentina Matei – Transilvania University of Brașov, Faculty of Food and Tourism (Romania)
• Assistant Professor Roy Janoch – University of Zaragoza, Tourism School (ETUZ) (Spain)

Online participation is available by clicking here: