From Monday 14 to Thursday 17 October, the Conference Hall of the Rome Headquarters of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) will host the works of the Next Scientific Programme (NSP) commission aimed at finalizing the new scientific programme for 2025-2029 of the Scientific Committee on Solar-TErrestrial Physics (SCOSTEP).
SCOSTEP is a body of the International Science Council (ISC) whose long-term goals include the promotion of international interdisciplinary programs in the field of Sun-Earth System Physics.
In particular, SCOSTEP aims to develop and support the training of young students, promote the efficient exchange of data and information between scientists in the field, support international projects and programmes that cross the traditional boundaries of physical regions and scientific disciplines, as well as contribute to the promotion of science and public awareness.
The meetings scheduled in Rome, sponsored by INGV and organized by the Institute of Space Astrophysics and Planetology (IAPS) of the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), will see the participation of international experts in various topics related to Sun-Earth relations and the highest officials of SCOSTEP: in fact, the speakers will be the President Prof. Kazuo Shiokawa, the Vice President Dr. Bernd Funke and, remotely, the former President Dr. Natchimuthuk Gopalwamy.
“Thanks to the sensitivity shown by INGV President Carlo Doglioni towards the disciplines related to Sun-Earth relations, the Institute, which represents Italy in SCOSTEP, was able to respond positively to the organizers' request by offering its Headquarters in Rome to host the commission's work”, explains Lucilla Alfonsi, INGV researcher and member of the SCOSTEP Bureau. “We are proud to host world-renowned experts, not only to consolidate collaboration and support for SCOSTEP, but also to introduce guests to our research and monitoring activities in all fields of geosciences and space”.
Until 2026, Italy will be represented within the SCOSTEP member countries by Dr. Alfonsi of INGV. Dr. Monica Laurenza, researcher at INAF and President of the NSP commission, adds: “The scientific program of SCOSTEP for the period 2025-2029 is being formulated by a special international commission composed of 11 world-renowned scientists. The program will be finalized during the meeting hosted by INGV. The objective of the commission is to create an inclusive and interdisciplinary program in the field of Sun-Earth System Physics that takes into account the input received so far from the community, that contains both the fundamental scientific questions and the objectives achievable in the next five years, as well as the guidelines for its implementation, the needs and the future direction of studies in our scientific sector”.
