Preparations are already underway for Trieste Next – the Festival of Scientific Research, whose 15th edition is set to take place from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th September 2026.

The 2026 edition of the Festival – promoted again this year by the Municipality of Trieste, the University of Trieste, Gruppo NEM Nord Est Multimedia, ilNordest, Il Piccolo, co-promoted by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia with Area Science Park, OGS-National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics, SISSA-International School for Advanced Studies, will be entitled “The shape of thought. Interactions between brains and intelligences”.

“Since its first edition, Trieste Next has addressed some of the most pressing themes in scientific and cultural debate”, the organisers state. “The 15th edition, titled ‘The Shape of Thought’, invites reflection on what it means to think in today’s world, where brains, intelligences and systems interact in increasingly complex ways. The festival explores intelligence in its many forms – natural, artificial, emotional, social and collective – and examines how digital technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming cognitive processes and learning environments. The programme explores systems of thought as interconnected networks of bodies, machines, languages, cultures and institutions, as well as the responsibilities that arise when designing the future of intelligence, with contributions from guests working across STEM, the humanities and the social sciences.”

Following the success of the 2025 edition, the organisers reaffirm their aim to continue fostering dialogue on science and innovation in Trieste, further expanding the programme through meetings, talks and debates that will bring the city to life over the three-day festival and will, as always, also be available via live streaming. As in the past two editions, Trieste Next will retain its international outlook, complementing the extensive Italian-language programme with events held in English and collaborations with leading international scientific partners. “Once again this year, we look forward to welcoming researchers from across Europe, who will join the hundreds of PhD and undergraduate students travelling from all over Italy to Trieste each year to take part in the Festival,” the organisers add.

The “Trieste Next Award – Science Book of the Year”, dedicated to leading figures in science communication, will also be presented for the fourth consecutive year. Last year’s prize was awarded to Martina Ardizzi for "L’algoritmo bipede. L’avvincente storia di come mente, corpo e tecnologia evolvono insieme" (Egea).

From 25th to 27th September, the programme will feature three days of conferences, seminars and workshops, with more than 100 events and 300 speakers, as well as exhibition spaces in Piazza Unità d’Italia and activities for schools. 

TRIESTE NEXT