NEWS AND EVENTS

Here are a few useful links to learn more:

• Psychology Today: Which Hurts More, Ghosting or Rejection?

• La Repubblica / La Stampa – Salute: Ghosting, when silence hurts more than words

• Radio 24 – Il Sole 24 Ore: Ghosting, the invisible wound of digital relationships

The first day was dedicated to introductions, lectures, and informal exchanges, and closed with a poster session in the garden. Each student presented their research or project idea, which helped spark conversations that continued throughout the week. Thematic sessions followed, featuring lectures, discussions, and methodological workshops. Key topics included:

• Digital connection and disconnection, and their implications for social well-being;
• Anthropomorphism of social robots, with a focus on how humans perceive and interact with robots in collaborative settings;
• Methodological advances, including the importance of asking clear causal questions and the opportunities and risks of integrating large language models in psychological research;
• Problematic technology use, such as social media overuse and new forms of digital addictions, and interventions aimed at fostering healthier relationships with technology.

A central feature of the school was the group work, coordinated by Ilja van Beest. Students worked in six interdisciplinary teams to prepare a mock grant application around a topic related to digital technologies, social connection, and well-being. On the final morning, each group presented its research idea—including aims, rationale, methodology, and budget considerations—simulating the structure of a real proposal.

The closing session featured two past ERC grant awardees, Alessandra Sciutti and Emily Cross, who shared their experiences and offered insights into how to build strong proposals and navigate the early stages of an academic career.

Beyond the lectures and group activities, the summer school also emphasized sociability and informal exchange. Students and speakers shared moments of relaxation and connection during the welcome cocktail in the garden, the social dinner in Como, and the group outing to Brunate with its breathtaking views of the lake.

All these elements combined to make this edition a week of intense learning, lively debate, and meaningful networking.

We are grateful to the Fondazione Alessandro Volta, the two PRIN projects funded by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research, the Department of Psychology at the University of Milan-Bicocca, and CISEPS (Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Economics, Psychology and Social Sciences, University of Milan-Bicocca) for their support. We also thank all the invited speakers for their contributions, and the students for their active and enthusiastic participation.

List of invited speakers:

• Ilja van Beest, Tilburg University
• Nathan Caruana, Flinders University
• Marco Ciapparelli, University of Milano-Bicocca
• Francesca Cocchella, Italian Institute of Technology – Lab of Cognitive Architecture for Collaborative Technologies
• Emily S. Cross, ETH Zurich
• Gianluca Esposito, University of Trento
• Maria Teresa Graffeo, University of Palermo
• Sarah Lutz, Chemnitz University of Technology
• Davide Marengo, University of Turin
• Claudia Marino, University of Padova
• Marco Marinucci, University of Milano-Bicocca
• Dongning Ren, Maastricht University
• Alessandra Sciutti, Italian Institute of Technology – Head of the Lab of Cognitive Architecture for Collaborative Technologies
• Elisa Wegmann, University of Duisburg-Essen

List of attendees:
Ali Hafiz Fawad, Ardıç Senanur, Cocchi Arturo, Corrigan Kavanagh Emily, Damp Larissa, Deshmukh Amol, Garbelotto Michele, Gasparini Ilenia, Gauer Nolwenn, Geldof Lore, Kaleycheva Trayana, Kashefi Arian, Kelly Lambert Lara, Khan Maryam, Kuhr Daniela, Lehmann Carolin, Leshner Connor, Miazek Katarzyna, O’Dea Muireann, Polak Nikica, Sebben Sofia, Telari Alessia, Van de Casteele Marlies, Verner Jessica, Veronese Ilaria, Yilmaz Aysenur Didem.

We are pleased to announce the third edition of the Summer School. “Social Connections and Well-Being in the Digital Era” will take place in Lake Como, Italy, from August 25 to 29, 2025. The Summer School will bring together academics from social psychology and also related disciplines.

The program will cover key topics such as technology-mediated social connections and isolation, anthropomorphism of digital agents, and moreover, interventions for digital well-being.

For more details on the program, the list of speakers, and logistics, you can clearly visit the school’s homepage: https://cwde.lakecomoschool.org/.

Registration is now open, and the deadline for applications is April 27, 2025. To finlly apply, fill out the online form available on the website.

To conclude, for inquiries regarding logistics (e.g., travel arrangements and accommodation options), please contact nadia.tansini@fondazionealessandrovolta.it

For questions about the scientific program, contact ConnectionsDigitalEraSchool@gmail.com.

Alessia Telari presented:
-A poster titled “Turning Smartphone Interference into Positive Relationship and Personal Outcomes: The ‘Resisting Phubbing’ Phenomenon” at both the Psychology of Media and Technology Preconference and the Close Relationships Preconference.
-A talk titled “Can AI-Powered Chatbots Serve as Social Connections? An Experimental Investigation of Interaction Characteristics” at the main conference.

Teresa Traversa presented:
-A poster titled “Imprisonment As a Form of Chronic Social Exclusion: First Empirical Evidence of a Novel Theoretical Framework” at both the Social Psychology in Legal Contexts Preconference and the main SPSP Annual Convention.

Ilenia Gasparini presented:
-A poster titled “Bridging the Digital Divide:How Smartphones Influence Health and Integration in Marginalized Communities” at the main SPSP Annual Convention.
-A poster titled “The Role of Webcams in Videoconferencing: a Study on Online Ostracism” at the Psychology of Media and Technology Preconference.

– Paolo Riva presented “Social exclusion in the digital era: Investigating Schachter’s Research on Rejection, Deviance, and Communication (1951) in online groups discussion”.

– Luca Pancani presented a poster entitled “The digital ostracism phenomenon: Phubbing, ghosting, and orbiting”.

– Marco Marinucci gave a talk titled “To whom should I turn? Intergroup social connections moderate social exclusion’s short- and long-term psychological impact on immigrants”.

– Alessia Telari presented “A New Experimental Paradigm to Study the Effects of Ghosting Using an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Methodology”.

Furthermore, we had the opportunity to meet with the growing community of researchers studying social exclusion and also share many exciting ideas!