As every year, APECS Italy has once again organised its National Conference, held on the 3rd and 4th of October 2024, in a hybrid format—both in person at Palazzo Gradari (Pesaro, Italy) and online. This year, the conference was dedicated to the Antarctic Treaty, marking the 65th anniversary of its formal establishment. The event opened with a presentation by Professor P. Vigni from the University of Siena, who highlighted the significance of this pivotal international agreement.
Picture by Sofia Cerri
During the event, participants also had the opportunity to visit the photographic exhibition "Bianco Riflesso", curated by Dr. M. Tenti, a member of the APECS Italy board. The exhibition showcased stunning images from her expeditions to Antarctica, offering a unique visual insight into the polar landscape.
In addition to the scientific sessions, the official APECS Italy meeting took place during the conference in the form of a roundtable discussion. During this session, all members engaged in an open dialogue about the association's activities and planned initiatives for the upcoming year.
The conference, held in Italian, was free to attend and primarily targeted students, PhD candidates, and research fellows/post-docs, particularly those working in the fields of earth, life, chemical, physical, and humanistic sciences. The event provided a dynamic and inclusive environment, encouraging the participation of a younger audience with diverse scientific interests. Of course, the invitation was also extended to enthusiasts and members of the public keen to hear the latest developments in Polar Science research in Italy.
This year’s event saw around 40 attendees, with 12 joining in person and 14 scientific presentations delivered throughout the conference.
