Cross-Cutting Activity 3
Cross-Cutting Activity 3 (CC3) represents a unique occasion for innovation to meet community engagement in the North-Eastern region of Italy. With a focus on inclusive communication strategies, CC3 aims to involve citizens not only in receiving information but also in actively participating in the planning and execution of initiatives. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of effective and inclusive communication strategies. CC3 has three specific goals:
- Coordinated Engagement Actions: developing dissemination, communication, and engagement strategies in collaboration with all iNEST Spokes to ensure a cohesive approach across initiatives.
- Tailored Initiatives: produce customized initiatives tailored to specific target audiences, taking into account their diverse backgrounds and needs.
- Innovative Communication: invest in new and innovative communication methods to effectively reach and engage citizens in the region.
For Spoke 9, a particular emphasis is placed on disseminating the main theme of Digital Twins, especially in communities that are still transitioning to embrace the digital revolution. The intersection of art and science is explored as a means to bridge the gap, with special attention given to engaging diverse citizen groups, including children and students. The dynamic collaborations with museums, schools, and innovative events ignite conversations and foster understanding among citizens. Through its collective vision and pioneering spirit, Spoke 9 is working towards creating a lasting impact that extends beyond the duration of the iNEST activities.
The Immaginario Scientifico exhibits: research through gaming
CC3’s commitment comes to life at the Immaginario Scientifico in Trieste, where iNEST-supported exhibits showcase SISSA’s pioneering research through immersive gaming experiences. Participants delve into various fields, including neuroscience, physics, mathematics, and science communication, in which education meets entertainment. The involvement of students and researchers adds depth to the exhibit, fostering a deeper connection between science and society.
On the left: a screenshot from the game “Lo scienziato che c’è in te” in the exhibit at the Immaginario Scientifico science center.
The National Conference on Science Communication: innovation and communication
Above: from left to right, Massimo Sideri, Francesca Iannelli, Luca De Biase (moderator), Gianluigi Rozza, and Elisabetta Delponte, during the panel discussion “Can there be innovation without communication?”.
In November 2023, SISSA hosted the National Conference on Science Communication, providing a vital platform for professionals and students to exchange ideas and perspectives. Supported by iNEST, the conference included a panel discussion entitled “Can there be innovation without communication?“, held on 1st December 2023 at the Revoltella Auditorium. Esteemed speakers from various sectors, such as media, institutions, corporations, and academia, engaged in a lively discourse on the indispensable role of communication in driving innovation. The enriching discussion highlighted the importance of effective communication strategies in achieving innovation goals.
SIAM UQ24: applied mathematics meets industry
In February 2024, iNEST Spoke 9 was featured within SIAM UQ24 – Conference on Uncertainty Quantification, an esteemed gathering hosted by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), focusing on Uncertainty Quantification. This conference took place in Trieste at the Stazione Marittima and the Savoia Excelsior Palace from 27th February to 1st March 2024. It was anticipated by the Power of Diversity event, held at SISSA on 26th February, which was focused on the pivotal role of inclusivity within the scientific community. With an attendance of over 1000 individuals, the conference managed to attract a diverse array of professionals from various fields, including physicists, engineers, computer scientists, and data scientists. This broad spectrum of attendees ensured a rich exchange of ideas and encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration, amplifying the impact of the dialogue.
Above: an overview of the SIAM UQ24 plenary conference.
Amidst the myriad sessions and discussions, a standout feature was the mini-symposium dedicated to iNEST, on 28th February at 5 p.m., titled “Models, Methods, Computational Technologies for Digital Twin in iNEST: Innovation Ecosystem“. This two-hour session, chaired by Spoke 9 Leader for SISSA, Prof. Gianluigi Rozza, involved speeches from Prof. Franco Bonollo (Head of iNEST Board of Directors), Prof. Angelo Montanari (Director of iNEST Scientific Committee), Prof. Cristina Pedicchio (Spoke 8 Leader for the University of Trieste), and Laura Meneghetti (Spoke 9 researcher at SISSA). The iNEST mini-symposium aimed not only to showcase iNEST’s endeavors but also to serve as an integral component of CC3, reaching out to the applied mathematics community, including those not directly involved in innovation. By captivating the imaginations of a diverse cohort of young scientists, poised to shape the future of innovation, this event offered a significant opportunity to showcase iNEST’s impact on an international stage.
SMLET24: Machine Learning for researchers
In June 2024, the “Scientific Machine Learning, emerging topics” (SMLET) conference took place at SISSA in Trieste, featuring a panel focused on the iNEST Consortium. iNEST Spoke 9 was presented, and its research areas concerning the topics of SMLET24—mathematics, machine learning, and their applications in scientific computing and engineering—were highlighted. This conference had a relevant role in promoting the iNEST Consortium internationally and raising awareness of the industrial impact of research. During the panel, the TCube project was also mentioned, as part of the initiatives promoted by iNEST Spoke 9.
Young Applied Mathematics Conference 2024: young mathematicians and iNEST
From 16th to 20th September 2024, the fourth edition of the Young Applied Mathematicians Conference (YAMC), an event co-funded by SISSA and the iNEST Consortium, took place in Rome, under the coordination of Federico Pichi and the organization of Giuseppe Alessio D’Inverno, SISSA researchers for Spoke 9. The conference focused on topics such as numerical modeling, machine learning, and statistical analysis; young researchers had the opportunity to present their research and participate in introductory courses and parallel sessions.
European Mobility Week: iNEST for sustainable cities
Above: Prof. Gianluigi Rozza’s talk during “Argonauts – A journey for life”.
Credits: Michele Scozzai
From 16th to 22nd September 2024, European Mobility Week (EMW), the European Commission’s largest awareness campaign on sustainable urban mobility, was held. Local authorities exploit EWM to test innovative planning measures and promote new infrastructure and technologies; specifically, the theme of this year’s EWM is public space sharing.
In line with its mission to foster behavioral change in favor of active mobility, public transportation, and other green and smart transportation solutions, iNEST Spoke 9 was involved in EMW in Trieste. On 17th September, Prof. Gianluigi Rozza from SISSA took part in the “Argonauts – A journey for life” talk, organized in collaboration with the City of Trieste at Porto Vecchio. Together with other experts in the field, who addressed topics such as mobility, traffic education, and innovation in transportation, Prof. Rozza discussed the future of cities and complex systems with high school students.
Trieste Next 2024: the horizons of knowledge
Above: “Challenge Artificial Intelligence!” inside SISSA’s exhibition space at Trieste Next 2024: the Snake videogame (on the left) and the image recognition game (on the right).
“Challenge Artificial Intelligence!” is the title of the activities that SISSA mathLab research group, representing iNEST Spoke 9, carried out during the three-day Festival of Scientific Research Trieste Next, from 27th to 29th September 2024 in Trieste, Piazza Unità d’Italia, in SISSA’s exhibition space.
Citizens of all ages confronted AI in the Snake videogame and in identifying animals and objects within grids of similar images. Through these activities, the researchers stimulated reflections on the learning capabilities of artificial intelligence and the effectiveness of image recognition algorithms. There was no lack of moments in which scientists discussed their research within iNEST with the public as well.
Artificial Intelligence Forum: AI for the territory
Above: Prof. Gianluigi Rozza dialoguing during “AI, research and ecosystems”, the first round table in the session of 19th October.
From 18th to 20th October 2024, Tavagnacco, a town in the province of Udine, hosted the first edition of “Artificial Intelligence Forum: Generative Cities and Contemporary Societies”, a new science festival, organized with the contribution of SISSA and iNEST, aimed at making citizens think about the relationship between artificial intelligence and society.
As part of the festival, “AI: research and innovation on the territory”— a session curated by SISSA in collaboration with the iNEST Consortium, SMACT, and Maritime Technology Cluster FVG— took place on Saturday 19th October. In the first of two round tables, Prof. Gianluigi Rozza dialogued with representatives of other Triveneto innovation centers, including universities and companies, about the positive impact of innovation and research in artificial intelligence on the industrial and academic fabric of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, emphasizing the key role of local institutions.
Details
Cross-Cutting Activity 3 starts in month 1 and ends in month 40.
Its leader is the University of Trieste (UniTS).
