Digital Humanities Webinar on a Sicilian Iconic Site: Scala dei Turchi (April 29)
Posted in: CHSS News, Endowed Chair's Research, Inserra Chair Events, Italian News and Events, Sicily, UNESCO Sites, World Languages and Cultures
The Ecocultures of the Scala dei Turchi: A Digital Humanities Webinar
APRIL 29, 2026 3pm PST I 6pm EST/ ZOOM
The Ecocultures of the Scala dei Turchi is a digital and environmental humanities research project that offers alternative paths to experience the iconic “Turkish Steps” geological formation in the Province of Agrigento in Sicily. Co-conceived and co-realized by Prof. Vetri Nathan (UCLA) and Prof. Teresa Fiore (Montclair State University), the project is based on Prof. Nathan’s research on the co-existence of various species and forms of life (vegetable, animal, human, mineral, etc.) in his Multispecies Futures Lab at UCLA. This event will officially unveil the project for North American audiences and feature a lively conversation among the various researchers involved.
Speakers:
- Dr. Vetri Nathan, Associate Professor, European Languages and Transcultural Studies, UCLA, Lab Founder and Director -Multispecies Futures Lab
- Dr. Teresa Fiore, Professor of Italian and Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies, Montclair State University
- Dr. Wendy Perla Kurtz, Lecturer and Project Scientist, Digital Humanities Program, UCLA
- Giacomo Frazzetta, Research Assistant
- Doga Tekin, Project Digital Tech Research Assistant
Originally launched as part of the SPONDE project, within the initiative Agrigento Capitale della Cultura 2025, the project is hosted on an ArcGIS platform and has been supported by an inter-university partnership (UCLA and Montclair State University) and local entities, including the Comune di Realmonte and the Polo Universitario Territoriale di Agrigento, Università di Palermo. This specific event is sponsored by:
