Over the past fifteen years, science and research have increasingly emerged as key players in the complex field of international relations, serving as essential tools for dialogue and global cooperation.

Although it may seem unusual to think of scientists and researchers as new ambassadors, scientific diplomacy is becoming an increasingly valuable instrument, capable of fostering growth opportunities for developing countries and creating the conditions needed to tackle the major challenges of our time – challenges that require collaboration between nations.

This innovative interaction between foreign policy and scientific research includes activities such as promoting international scientific cooperation, attracting researchers to universities and research centres, developing shared scientific infrastructures, and providing technical expertise for the development of public policy.

In recent years, the University of Trieste has strengthened its commitment to scientific diplomacy, developing a structured approach involving academics, diplomats, and representatives of international cooperation networks and initiatives.

A key milestone in this journey was the technical roundtable held on 7th March, organised by the University of Trieste and attended by Giuseppe Pastorelli, Deputy Director General for the Country Promotion System at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

'Science brings people together: it addresses problems and enhances international reputation, but above all it strengthens relations between countries and enables the sharing and advancement of knowledge,’ explained Pastorelli during his address at the University of Trieste.

According to this senior official from the Ministry, Trieste is a prime example of scientific diplomacy: ‘It hosts the most significant international scientific system in Italy and is therefore a key pillar of our diplomacy for growth. The Trieste hub offers the Global South a gateway to innovation and cutting-edge research, enabling Italy to contribute to development and maintain a strong network in its relations with the Global South.’

The event, held in the presence of Vice Rector Valter Sergo and coordinated by Prof. Ilaria Micheli, Deputy Rector for Development Cooperation, along with Prof. Simone Arnaldi, marked a stage in a journey initiated by the University in May 2024 with an initial workshop on scientific diplomacy. This event brought together academics, diplomats, and representatives of projects focused on sustainable development, support for refugee scholars, education, knowledge transfer, and international cooperation.

Following this initial exchange, the first version of a background document was drafted and subsequently shared with the academic community to gather additional input and feedback. The process continued with another round of discussion on 16th September 2024 during a technical roundtable with Prof. Pierre-Bruno Ruffini, a French economist and Co-President of the European Union Science Diplomacy Alliance. On that occasion, the document was further developed and reviewed before being submitted to the University’s governance in its final version.

The technical roundtable of 7th March provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in scientific diplomacy during the outgoing six-year governance period of the University. The meeting allowed the University of Trieste to present the work carried out over recent months, outlining guidelines for future international research agreements, and also facilitated a constructive and educational dialogue with national institutions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

A new phase of the outreach project ‘Mare Sopra – What is the Future of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Coasts?’ will begin on Friday, 7th March. The project, conceived and coordinated by the University of Trieste, is funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of rising sea levels and their impact on coastal systems. As part of this effort, a series of outreach activities will involve students and citizens in measurement operations.

On Friday, for example, students from the ‘Galileo Galilei’ High School in Trieste will take part in observations and field measurements at the small harbour of Grignano. Throughout the spring, other groups of students and citizens will carry out sea level rise measurements in Muggia, Lignano, and Grado.

The project follows a citizen science model, where students, citizens, association representatives, and non-experts actively participate in research after receiving appropriate training.

‘In the coming decades,’ explains Stefano Furlani, Associate Professor of Geomorphology at the University of Trieste, ‘sea levels will rise dramatically, altering the geography of our coasts and damaging regional shoreline structures. Since 1880, the sea level has already risen by more than 20cm, and it is projected to reach 30cm by 2050.’

There have already been warnings of what this situation could bring. The most recent was the severe storm surge in November 2023, which struck the eastern shoreline of the Gulf of Trieste, from Muggia to Lignano, causing significant damage to coastal infrastructure.

‘With Mare Sopra,’ Furlani continues, ‘our goal is to raise awareness of sea level rise caused by climate change. We are organising expert-led discussions, documentary screenings, hands-on experiences with students and citizens, and the creation of a virtual tour—an engaging and accessible tool that allows users to explore places and environments in a highly realistic and detailed way, almost as if they were physically there.’

At the end of these activities, key coastal locations will be marked with two lines: a yellow line indicating where the sea will reach in 2050 and a red line showing its level in 2100.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, involving geomorphologists, sociologists, and biologists from three UniTS departments (Mathematics, Computer Science, and Geosciences; Political and Social Sciences; Life Sciences), as well as members of the public, schools, and associations.

‘Mare Sopra’ is the first outreach project funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in 2024. It benefits from the collaboration of the Miramare Marine Protected Area, the Municipality of Muggia, the Marevivo Association – FVG Section, the Marco Polo School Cluster of Grado, the ‘Galileo Galilei’ High School of Trieste, and other local institutions.

The Psychology Festival returns to Friuli Venezia Giulia: the fifth edition of the event, organized by Psicoattività APS with the partnership of the University of Trieste, will take place from March 7 to April 11, 2025. The festival will feature a traveling program, with six free-entry meetings across the region.

The 2025 edition, titled “Intelligences. From Natural Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence”, will explore, through expert presentations, new research and application areas in psychology that are central to current reflections, particularly those related to the study of the human mind and intelligence.

Topics will include natural intelligence and artificial intelligence; creative thinking and the relationship between creativity and science, and between music and AI; the latest developments in robotics and the ethical implications of its use; as well as an in-depth look at modern artificial intelligence tools, including the widely used Chat-GPT, to better understand their risks and opportunities. The festival will also conclude with a look at animal intelligence.

This year, the festival's scientific direction is entrusted to Claudio Tonzar, Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the University of Urbino and President of Psicoattività, with the support of Tiziano Agostini, Professor of General Psychology at the University of Trieste.

The festival's traveling format is confirmed, with stops in Gradisca d’Isonzo, Tavagnacco, Palmanova, Cormons, and, in particular, the UniTS campuses in Trieste and Gorizia.

Notable international guests will participate, including Dario Floreano, full professor and director of the Intelligent Systems Laboratory at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland), a pioneer in evolutionary robotics, aerial robotics, and soft robotics, who will speak on Friday, March 28, at the Aula Magna (Building A) of the University of Trieste.

At the end of this event, the ceremony for the Third Prize for Innovative Research in Psychology will take place, awarded by Psicoattività APS to psychologists and researchers under 36. The competition aims to reward published research, master's theses, or doctoral dissertations to promote the psychological culture in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Credits will be awarded to students of the University of Trieste's Psychology Degree Program attending the events (further details on the festival website).

SCHEDULE

Friday, March 7, 6:00 PM, Gradisca d’Isonzo, Sala Bergamas (via Bergamas, 3) – “Teaching to Think: Is Artificial Intelligence an Enemy or an Ally?” with Alessandro Antonietti, Professor of General Psychology and Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan).

Friday, March 14, 6:00 PM, Gorizia, Aula Magna of the Department of Political and Social Sciences (via d’Alviano, 18) – “Creativity and Science: A Brief Journey into the Study of Creative Thinking” with Sergio Agnoli, Associate Professor of General Psychology and Director of the Creativity Dynamics Laboratory at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste.

Friday, March 21, 6:00 PM, Tavagnacco, Teatro Immersivo “P. Maurensig” (Via Mazzini 1, loc. Feletto Umberto) – “Music and Artificial Intelligence: New Tools for Tomorrow’s Music” with Walter Coppola, Psychologist and Lecturer at the University of Trieste, in collaboration with Davide Coppola, Composer, Conductor, Pianist.

Friday, March 28, 6:00 PM, Trieste, Aula Magna, University of Trieste (Building A, Rectorate - Piazza Europa Unita, 1) – “Intelligences: The Role of Psychology in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Ethics” with Dario Floreano, Full Professor and Director of the Intelligent Systems Laboratory, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland); and Giuseppe Riva, Full Professor of Communication Psychology at the Università Cattolica di Milano and Director of the Humane Technology Lab.

Following at 7:30 PM: Ceremony for the Third Prize for Innovative Research in Psychology and presentation of the winning research.

Friday, April 4, 6:00 PM, Palmanova, Teatro Gustavo Modena (via Dante, 16) – “Human Cognitive Abilities and Generative Artificial Intelligence: Limits and Opportunities” with Giuseppe Sartori, Emeritus Professor of Forensic Neuropsychology and Forensic Neurosciences at the University of Padua.

Friday, April 11, 6:00 PM, Cormons, Teatro Comunale (via Nazario Sauro, 17) – “Animal Intelligences: Genius and Ingenuity in the Natural World” with Cinzia Chiandetti, Associate Professor of Psychobiology and Physiological Psychology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste.

The festival is supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region and made possible thanks to the collaboration of the municipalities of Gorizia, Cormons, Gradisca d’Isonzo, Palmanova, and Tavagnacco, with the partnership of the University of Trieste and the SASS of Nova Gorica.

The collaboration between the University of Trieste and Somali National University (SNU) has been renewed, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing the two academic institutions to continue developing collaborative projects until 2031.

Those who signed the agreement were Prof. Valter Sergo, Vice Rector of UniTS, and Prof. Hassan Osman Ga'al, Rector of the University of Mogadishu. 

The two universities have been involved in a large bilateral Italy-Somalia project for several years, which aims to support the growth of the Somali National University, contributing to the training of teachers and researchers. 

As part of this project, Prof. Ga'al himself, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the Somali university, was a visiting professor at the University of Trieste. Subsequently, a number of students from Mogadishu attended a Master's degree course at the Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics at UniTS. 

Of those students, two are now researchers at the Somali National University and are actively collaborating on research and consolidating collaboration relations. 

The recently signed MoU intends to foster cultural, scientific and educational cooperation for the benefit of the students, teaching and research staff and technical and administrative staff of both universities. The areas in which the agreement will be implemented focus in particular on the development and sharing of good practices, which take into account the historical cultural ties between Somalia and Italy. 

Collaboration with Italian universities is, in fact, particularly valuable for Mogadishu, which is aiming to further develop its legal-administrative apparatus and education sector.

Still today in Somalia, administration, law, school and university are greatly influenced by Italy. In fact, they have absorbed procedures, organisational processes and sectoral terminology from Italy in the Italian language.

Within the Memorandum of Understanding, the collaboration between UniTS and SNU will involve the disciplinary areas of Italian language and literature, the comparison of legal, political and regulatory systems, economics and the environment, in particular with regard to sustainable growth models. The areas of international relations and development cooperation will also be involved, as well as institutional cooperation, without neglecting the consolidation of basic scientific disciplines, such as physics.

The signing of the MoU was preceded on Friday 28th February by a well-attended public event, the panel discussion ‘Quo Vadis Somalia?’. During the meeting, Rector Hassan Osman Ga'al discussed the future of Somalia and relations with Italy together with Professors Ilaria Micheli (IUSLIT), Federico Battera (DiSPeS), Giuseppe Borruso (DEAMS) and Federico Donelli (DiSPeS) and with moderation from PhD students Sara Cosatti and Beatrice Marchesini. 

Within the framework of international cooperation activities with Somalia, the project ‘Climate Change, Conflicts and Migration: the Ethiopian-Somali Corridor and the Possible Impacts of Infrastructural Development’, has also started, coordinated by Prof. Federico Donelli, Professor of International Relations at the Department of Political and Social Sciences. The project was co-funded by the University with an amount of €15,000, under the Call for International Cooperation Projects of the Departments - Year 2025.

Among the project's objectives is develop a way of monitoring the political-institutional situation in the Somali Peninsula, capable of providing recommendations to Italian and European NGOs active in fostering macroeconomic stability, increasing civil society's capacity to promote sustainable socio-economic behaviour, and developing the Italian public's awareness of the impact of climate change on the phenomenon of migration flows.

Preparations are already underway for Trieste Next – Festival of Scientific Research, whose fourteenth edition will take place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September.

The 2025 edition of the Festival will be dedicated to ‘Life Within: Dialogues Between Science and Technology.’

Since its first edition, Trieste Next has tackled key topics in scientific and cultural debate, from food and water to energy and the relationship between humans and technology, as well as the theme of sustainability. The 2025 edition will offer an opportunity to explore the scientific agenda for the coming years and to reflect on the new frontiers of research and innovation, along with their limitations, including ethical ones.

Trieste Next will feature three days of conferences, seminars and workshops, with over 100 events on the programme, 300 speakers and a distinguished lineup of guests. There will also be exhibition spaces in Piazza Unità d’Italia and activities dedicated to schools.

For the third consecutive year, the ‘Trieste Next Prize: Science Book of the Year’ will be awarded, celebrating the masters of scientific communication. Last year's winner was Piero Martin with ‘Storie di errori memorabili’ (Laterza).

https://www.triestenext.it/

Three years ago, Russia started its full-scale war on Ukraine, in blatant violation of international law.

 Among the countless acts of aggression and their consequences is the displacement of Mariupol State University (MSU), one of the universities forming the Transform4Europe alliance. 

Our friends and partners at MSU show, at great costs and personal risks, exceptional resilience, strength and courage in upholding and defending the European values and our common spirit of European transformation. 

Transform4Europe stands firm with our friends and colleagues at Mariupol State University.

The University of Trieste is once again taking part in M’illumino di meno, the Italian National Day of Saving Energy and Sustainable Lifestyles, celebrated on 16th February. As a sign of its commitment, the LED lights illuminating the façade of Building A (Piazzale Europa 1) will be dimmed from sunset on Friday 14th February until dawn on Monday 17th February.

The initiative, launched by the popular Rai Radio2 programme Caterpillar in 2005, was officially recognised by the Italian Parliament in 2022. It has since become an opportunity to promote environmental sustainability and the responsible use of resources nationwide.

The 21st edition highlights the environmental impact of fast fashion, a sector that has been at the centre of growing debate in recent years due to its high resource consumption and the massive production of textile waste. In response to these issues, various sustainable alternatives are emerging, such as clothes swapping parties, upcycling, and the second-hand market.

‘The role of consumers is crucial in driving this change,’ says Chiara Marinelli, a PhD researcher in Circular Economy at DEAMS. ‘Initiatives like M’illumino di meno are essential for raising awareness of the impact of fast fashion and the importance of sustainable alternatives. Talking about the issue is not enough—we need to take action. Consumers must realise that their everyday choices have a direct impact on the environment, and real change requires collective commitment.’

Significant progress is being made in tackling issues related to sustainability, environmental impact, and transparency. On one hand, institutions are introducing new regulations to promote and incentivise more sustainable practices. On the other, technological advancements continue to pave the way for innovative solutions that could transform how we produce, consume, and recycle textiles.

‘At a regulatory level, the European Union is developing its textile strategy, introducing a “European passport” for each garment. This initiative aims to increase transparency regarding the origin and sustainability of clothing, helping consumers make more informed choices. In terms of technological innovation, many companies are developing promising solutions. One example is Bio Fashion Tech, a start-up I had the opportunity to collaborate with. It has developed a biomechanical technology capable of breaking down the polymers in garments and converting them into sugars that can be used in other industries, such as pharmaceuticals,’ Marinelli concludes.

As part of this initiative, UniTS highlights the importance of local projects like Sartoria Lister, a social cooperative that has been upcycling discarded clothing and materials since 2009, transforming them into unique accessories such as bags and backpacks. Sartoria Lister has collaborated with UniTS on an initiative sparked by a simple question: what should be done with the PVC banners printed for various editions of the Researchers’ Night and Trieste Next, which had been stored in university warehouses awaiting disposal? This led to the creation of the Mis-Mas line of bags, each one a unique and sustainable piece. These bags are available for purchase at the National Museum of Antarctica, at the San Giovanni Park (on Via Weiss 21, near the church).

Trieste once again takes centre stage as hub of science communication, with the local selections of FameLab 2025 taking place. The competition, which challenges students, researchers and research fellows to introduce a scientific topic in their field of study in just three minutes, will take place on Friday 4th April 2025, from 9:00 to 13:00, in Sala Luttazzi (Warehouse 26, Trieste Old Port). 

Participants will have to capture the attention of a non-expert audience without the aid of projections or videos, relying solely on their own talent and perhaps with the addition of supporting objects that do not require complex set-ups. Each contestant will present two speeches of a three-minute duration: one during the pre-selection phase and, if they qualify, one during the final selection. At the end of the day, the jury will elect the two winners who will go on to the next stage of the competition.

The initiative also includes a free seminar, held on 24th March in the Polo Giovani Toti (Via del Castello 1, Trieste), where science communicator Donato Ramani and actress Daniela Gattorno will offer advice on narrative structure and stage performance. 

Next steps

The winners of the local selection will be invited to Perugia from 13th to 15th June 2025 to take part in the FameLab Masterclass, an intensive workshop where international experts will guide them in refining their communication skills. Afterwards, the two contestants will take part in the national final, also in Perugia, and scheduled for 27th September 2025. Finally, the winner of FameLab Italia 2025 will represent the country in the international final at the end of November, where they will compete against talents from all over the world.

Requirements

The competition is open to researchers, research assistants, research and development professionals (with a master's degree) or post-graduate students born after 1st January 1990. 

Applicants must come from a STEM field, medical or humanities background (e.g., anthropology, archaeology, economics, philosophy, geography, law, linguistics, literature, psychology, political science, sociology, history and art history). 

In addition, people who have already participated in the national final or masterclass in previous editions or who have worked professionally in the field of science communication are not permitted to enter.

Prizes

The winner of the local selection will be awarded a cash prize of € 400 and will have the opportunity to participate in the national final and masterclass. In addition, they will be able to attend a course of the Master in Science Communication ‘Franco Prattico’ at SISSA in Trieste. 

The runner-up will also receive a cash prize of € 200 and attend both the national final and the masterclass.

Registration

Registration is done through an online form, and is open until Thursday 27th March 2025. 

Info on www.immaginarioscientifico.it; info@immaginarioscientifico.it. 

The local selection is organised by Immaginario Scientifico Science Museum, the University of Trieste, the University of Udine, SISSA – International School of Advanced Studies and the Municipality of Trieste, within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding ‘Trieste City of Knowledge’.

The loss of genetic diversity exposes many species to a higher risk of extinction, making them more vulnerable to ongoing environmental changes. However, the good news is that effective strategies can be implemented to counteract this phenomenon, and we can all play a role in supporting them.

This is the key finding of a study conducted by a team of 57 scientists from 20 countries, who analysed over 80,000 scientific papers published in the last thirty years. Their research synthesises evidence of genetic diversity loss in 628 species (including animals, plants, fungi, and chromists) across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature (read the article), highlights a concerning decline in genetic variability across many species: a crucial factor for their resilience and ability to adapt to environmental changes.

Among the study’s authors is Chiara Manfrin, a zoologist and researcher at the University of Trieste’s Department of Life Sciences, who contributed to the analysis of genetic variability loss in aquatic species. ‘This was a meticulous process of data collection and filtering, as many studies did not meet the minimum requirements for genetic information and were therefore excluded from the dataset,’ explains Manfrin. ‘My role involved analysing the selected articles using a keyword-based approach.’

‘Each researcher,’ she continues, ‘contributed their dataset to a global collection of genetic data essential for assessing genetic diversity loss. Specifically, I focused on studies concerning aquatic fauna.’

The study revealed that genetic diversity loss is more pronounced in species facing significant environmental pressures. Habitat destruction, urban expansion, intensive agriculture, the introduction of new diseases, the effects of natural disasters such as wildfires and floods, and direct human activities (including hunting and deforestation) are among the primary drivers. Populations with reduced genetic variability are more vulnerable and less able to adapt to new environmental conditions, increasing their long-term extinction risk.

However, the research also shows that conservation strategies can not only mitigate genetic diversity loss but even promote its recovery. Protecting natural habitats and maintaining connections between populations enable genetic exchange between different groups, strengthening their resilience. Targeted restocking with individuals from genetically diverse populations has already yielded positive results in numerous conservation projects.

Advances in genetic monitoring technologies, such as DNA sequencing and advanced data analysis, are providing increasingly precise tools for understanding biodiversity trends and implementing targeted conservation efforts.

The study also emphasises the importance of everyday actions that can help preserve genetic diversity. Protecting biodiversity starts locally, for example, by planting native species in gardens to support habitat connectivity and provide resources for pollinators, choosing traditional agricultural varieties to maintain genetic richness in the food system, or collaborating with conservation groups to protect endangered species. Even small actions, such as avoiding the unintentional transport of plants, seeds, or soil to new areas to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, can contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation.

For a broader, public-oriented overview of the study, The Conversation has published an in-depth article (read the article) explaining the research findings and their implications for biodiversity conservation.

World Cancer Day is observed on 4th February, promoted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness of the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and scientific research in the fight against cancer. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the scientific community’s dedication to tackling a disease that remains one of the greatest global health challenges.

This year, we want to highlight that cancer research is not limited to the medical and clinical fields but involves a vast network of multidisciplinary expertise. Biologists, chemists, engineers, and computer scientists also contribute their knowledge to develop new prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies.

From studying the biological mechanisms behind tumour transformation to developing new drugs and biomarkers, and applying computational models to analyse genetic data and identify targeted therapies—science is exploring multiple avenues to combat cancer.

On this occasion, we share the diverse and complementary approaches in oncology research through the voices of UniTS researchers.

Giannino DEL SAL – Applied Biology, Department of Life Sciences

‘We study how cancerous cells communicate with the surrounding tissue, both in the early stages of the disease and during metastasis. We analyse how the signals exchanged in this communication promote tumour growth and enable cancer cells to resist therapies, helping us identify weak points to target.

In this project, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the early phases, when a competition arises between transforming cells and healthy ones in an otherwise normal tissue. Understanding these dynamics will help us develop strategies to intervene earlier and more effectively against cancer.

Our goal is to provide tools to halt cancer in its earliest stages, or even prevent it entirely, as well as to improve treatment strategies for advanced disease and therapy-resistant cases.’

Sabrina PRICL – Chemical Engineering, Department of Engineering and Architecture

‘From high-performance computational design to in vivo experimentation, we collaborate with several international research teams to develop nanomedicines and nanocarriers for cancer diagnosis, therapy, and imaging.

Thanks to funding from AIRC, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the European Commission, and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), we integrate in silico techniques with experimental validation to study oncogenes: altered genes that can drive uncontrolled cell growth and contribute to cancer development. This approach opens new avenues for the creation of more effective and targeted treatments.

Our next challenges? Enhancing treatment selectivity, reducing side effects, and translating our discoveries into widely accessible clinical solutions.’

Giulio CARAVAGNA – Computer Science, and Alice ANTONELLO – PhD in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Geosciences

‘In collaboration with the Aviano Cancer Research and Treatment Centre and San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, we have developed computational models to study the behaviour of certain leukaemias. The results we are finalising are highly promising, helping us clarify molecular mechanisms that drive disease progression over time.

This project, funded by an AIRC grant for researchers under 40, has also sparked new research questions: Can these tools be applied to other cancers? Can we use a systematic approach to characterise disease evolution over time and uncover vulnerabilities?’ (G. Caravagna)

‘In November 2024, I was awarded a three-year AIRC Italy Post-Doc Fellowship for PhD researchers. My project applies artificial intelligence methods to genomic data from DNA to study the relationship between specific mutations and exposure to mutagens—substances or factors that can cause DNA alterations.

This is a crucial first step in identifying risk factors linked to certain diseases and developing strategies to counteract their effects.’ (A. Antonello)