Four UniTS lecturers will be among the protagonists of Focus Live 2025, an event scheduled to take place in Milan from 7th to 9th November, promoted by the magazine ‘Focus Live’, which brings science to the general public in an accessible and entertaining way.

Vanessa Nicolin, Katia Rupel and Alex Buoite Stella, from the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, and Mattia Zulianello, from the Department of Political and Social Sciences, will be among the speakers at the three days of events, meetings, workshops, shows and interactive experiences at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology.

This year's programme offers a journey through different scientific disciplines, where passion – this year's theme – will be the common thread linking science, sport, art and music. Topics covered will include Samantha Cristoforetti's passion for space, revolutionary gene therapies, artificial intelligence, the chemistry of chocolate, the atlas of emotions, 90 years of Schrödinger's cat and prehistoric reptiles brought back to life. 

Researchers from the University of Trieste will be the speakers at two talks in which they will reveal what could happen if the superpowers of comics became scientific reality and explain what populism is through games and challenges.

UniTS Talks at Focus Live (free admission, booking required on the official website)

7th November at 12:30

ANATOMY OF SUPERPOWERS

What would happen if the superpowers of comics and films became scientific reality? How would super strength or the ability to fly really work? Starting from curiosity and mixing fantasy and science, we will analyse superpowers through the lens of human anatomy and physiology. From super speed to regeneration, which mechanisms of the human body could be ‘enhanced’ to bring us closer to these incredible imaginary powers? A surprising journey where science meets imagination, to understand the limits – and potential – of our organism.

With Vanessa Nicolin (Human Anatomy), Katia Rupel (Oral Diseases) and Alex Buoite Stella (Physiology).

8th November, 13:00

POPULISM BETWEEN MYTH AND REALITY

Populism is often described as the absolute evil of politics or, conversely, as the only true voice of the people. But how true are these statements? Populism seems an elusive phenomenon, difficult to define precisely, yet it has typical characteristics that make it recognisable. In this interactive talk, we will test the most widespread beliefs about the phenomenon, separating facts from simplistic narratives. Not only will we debunk the myths, but we will also clearly explain what populism really is, what its distinctive elements are and how it manifests itself in different political and social contexts. Through games and challenges, the audience will discover how populist actors build their success, what strategies they use and what real effects they have on politics.

With Mattia Zulianello (Political Science).