Preparations are underway for Trieste Next – the Festival of Scientific Research, with the 15th edition set to take place from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th September 2026.
“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.”
ICGEB will be present to reaffirm its aim of continuing to foster dialogue on science and innovation in Trieste, 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. 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.
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.
ICGEB AT TRIESTE NEXT
Friday, 25 September
📌 09:00–12:00: Piazza Unità d’Italia, Trieste, ICGEB Stand. School groups will be hosted at the Gazebo in Trieste’s main square.
📌 13:00–22:00: ICGEB Stand, Piazza Unità d’Italia, Trieste, science lab activities for the public.
📌 14:30–15:30: ICGEB Labs, Trieste. Students from European universities participating in the Trieste Next International Academy will be hosted for a personalised visit to the ICGEB laboratories and facilities.
Saturday, 26 September
📌 09:00–22:00: ICGEB Stand, Piazza Unità d’Italia, Trieste, science lab activities for the public. Including, in the afternoon, a Virtual Reality experience “Fascinating Journey into the Human Cell“.
📌 16:30: ICGEB Science & the City Event: Intelligence in health and disease – How cells, circuits, and humans adapt.
Sunday 27 September
📌 10:00-20:00: ICGEB Stand. Piazza Unità d’Italia, Trieste.
Contact:
Outreach, Public Information & Communications
[email protected]
