by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Donata Vianelli, rector of the University of Trieste
The fourteenth edition of Trieste Next, the city’s annual science research festival, will take place from September 26 to 28, organizers announced this week at a presentation in the Urban Center. This year’s theme, “La vita dentro. Dialoghi tra Scienze e Tecnologie” (“Life Inside. Dialogues Between Science and Technology”), will highlight the ways scientific innovation is reshaping daily life.
The festival, which has become one of Italy’s leading science outreach events, is organized by the Municipality of Trieste, the University of Trieste, and several regional and national research institutions. For three days, Piazza Unità d’Italia — the city’s main square — will host more than 100 events featuring scientists, researchers, and innovators from around the world. The program includes lectures, debates, exhibitions, concerts, and hands-on workshops designed to connect the public with cutting-edge research.
The 2025 edition will focus on emerging technologies and their impact on society, with discussions ranging from precision medicine and sustainability to robotics, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies. The festival also coincides with the United Nations’ International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
International voices will be central to this year’s program. Nobel laureate Brian Kobilka, awarded the Chemistry Prize in 2012, will speak about his pioneering work on cell communication and drug development. Science writer David Quammen, known for his book Spillover, will present his latest work on evolution. Physicist and entrepreneur Federico Faggin, credited with inventing the microprocessor, will open the festival with a discussion on consciousness and quantum physics.
The festival also features the Trieste Next–Science Book of the Year award, recognizing outstanding works of scientific publishing. Finalists this year include titles on artificial intelligence, space geopolitics, and neuroscience.
Education remains a cornerstone of the initiative. On September 27, the festival will dedicate its program to local schools, offering talks, workshops, and experiments to introduce younger audiences to science and technology. Organizers said the effort is meant to encourage students to explore STEM fields and connect directly with researchers.
Alongside public events, Trieste Next will host the tenth edition of EuroBioHighTech, a science-to-business conference focused on biomedical and biotechnological innovation. Partnerships with organizations such as the AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research and the Telethon Foundation will spotlight advances in therapies for rare diseases and cancer.
Discussions will extend to broader cultural and political themes. The European Parliament’s office in Milan will host a panel on the role of artificial intelligence and social media in communicating European Union policies. A series of “Dialogues on Knowledge” will bring together leading figures in neuroscience, genetics, philosophy, and environmental science.
All events are free of charge and will be available both in person and via livestream. The full program is available at www.triestenext.it.
