International Erasmus+ project week at the University of Tallinn investigates virtual cultural heritage
From 1st to 5th In December 2025, the Faculty of Digital Technologies at the University of Tallinn became the centre of international cooperation when it organised the project week “Interactive Environments for the Virtualisation of Cultural Heritage”. The intensive program was organised as part of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP) and brought together students and lecturers from Germany, Cyprus and Estonia to explore innovative approaches to digital cultural heritage.
The participants included students and research assistants from the Technical University of Brandenburg (Germany), the Cyprus University of Technology and the University of Tallinn. The University of Tallinn was represented by lecturer Mati Mõttus from the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) as well as master students of the human-computer interaction degree program. Over the course of the week, interdisciplinary and international teams worked closely together, combining technical, design and user-experience perspectives.
The project week in Tallinn was the third and final on-site phase of the Blended Intensive Program. The program began in October with an introductory week at the Brandenburg University of Technology, in which participants were introduced to metaverse concepts, virtual and augmented reality technologies, and the basics of interactive environment design. This was followed by an online study phase in which the students dealt with the theoretical foundations and practical methods of affective computing and the collection of physiological data. Building on these earlier phases, the project week in Tallinn had a strong focus on user-centred design, interaction logic and the evaluation of the user experience in real environments.
Throughout the week, the student teams worked in the laboratories of the University of Tallinn, where they had access to advanced research tools and technologies. Using eye-tracking systems, facial expression analysis, electrodermal activity sensors, and heart rate measurements, the teams tested and refined their interactive prototypes. Based on the data collected, students were able to evaluate useability, measure user engagement and better understand how people perceive and interact with digital environments.
All project concepts were linked by a common theme: the digitisation of cultural heritage and the creation of immersive virtual cultural experiences. The students investigated how digital environments can not only be designed for the presentation of cultural content, but also evoke emotional reactions, improve understanding and promote a meaningful engagement with narratives about cultural heritage.
The academic program was led by Professor Julia Schnitzer and Professor Christoph Luchs from the Technical University of Brandenburg, Professor Mati Mõttus from the Faculty of Digital Technologies at the University of Tallinn and Professor Evangelos Karapanos from the Technical University of Cyprus (CTU). With their shared expertise, they supported the students throughout the design, testing and evaluation phase of the projects.
In addition to the academic work, the program also included a cultural and experiential component. Participants visited museums in Tallinn, explored the city’s historic old town and harbour district, and took part in a trip to Lahemaa National Park. These activities provided valuable opportunities to observe and reflect on cultural environments from the perspective of user experience, which further enriched the project work.
The project week ended with presentations by the students, in which each team presented their results and reflected on the design process and the evaluation results. Constructive feedback from lecturers and fellow students stimulated critical discussions and highlighted the strengths and future potential of the developed concepts.
The Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program Interactive Environments for Virtualisation of Cultural Heritage will continue in the summer of 2026 and builds on the insights and collaborations gained during the project week in Tallinn.
https://www.tlu.ee/en/dt/news/students-germany-and-cyprus-joined-tlu-international-project-week