Physics Lab

What can physics teach us about the forces that shape both nature and society?

This two-part laboratory invites students to explore physics from two complementary perspectives: as a key to understanding the fundamental laws of the universe and as a powerful tool for fostering dialogue and cooperation across borders. From Emmy Noether’s groundbreaking ideas on symmetry and energy conservation to the role of scientific collaboration in diplomacy and peacebuilding, each session offers an accessible and thought-provoking journey into the wider impact of science.

The two sessions are independent, so students may choose to attend either one or both.

Science Diplomacy: Building Bridges through Scientific Cooperation

This lecture explores how science diplomacy can contribute to the pursuit of peace and sustainable development. Science diplomacy examines the interplay between scientific knowledge and international relations in addressing global challenges, from energy choices to climate, health, and peacebuilding. Particular attention will be given to its close connection with scientific cooperation: from shared research infrastructures for basic science to collaboration in technology and global health, scientific cooperation often becomes a channel for dialogue, trust, and negotiation between states. Intended for all Bocconi students, and drawing on concrete examples like CERN as well as the experience of UNESCO, the lecture offers an interdisciplinary perspective on how knowledge, institutions, and international interests interact in an increasingly interconnected and troubled world.

Energy: why is it conserved?

Emmy Noether, one of the greatest mathematicians of the twentieth century, revolutionized scientific thought by demonstrating, in a celebrated theorem, the profound connection between the symmetries of nature and the conservation of fundamental physical quantities, such as Energy. The lecture, after discussing the basic background material, traces this extraordinary insight, highlighting the role of symmetry in mathematics and in contemporary physics. What emerges is a perspective able to show how abstract concepts can provide essential tools for reading reality, building connections between diverse disciplines, and broadening our knowledge.

When and Where

Date and time: TBD

The activity is open also to Faculty and Staff Members, but priority will be given to students.

Students who attend all meetings will be issued an Open Badge.

Students can register for the course via yoU@B.

You will be able to register for each individual session separately.

Staff and faculty can write an email to campuslife@unibocconi.it

INFN Sezione di Torino & Permanent Delegation of Italy to UNESCO, Paris Attachée, Expert in the Education Sector.

Anna Ceresole is Director of Research at the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) in Torino and collaborates with Bocconi University, where she teaches the interdisciplinary course "Gravitating the cosmos" since 2023. She holds a degree in Physics from the University of Torino and a PhD from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She has held research positions at CALTECH, CERN, UCLA, and other leading institutions. Her scientific activity focuses on theoretical high energy physics and mathematical physics, with significant contributions in supergravity, superstring theory, black hole physics and quantum gravity. She has authored over 60 scientific publications and has played leading roles in national and international research projects, including EU networks and the ERC “Superfields” project. She has served on scientific advisory boards and evaluation panels across Europe and the US, and she is also active in science outreach and gender equity initiatives.