The Galileo Galilei Institute (GGI), founded in 2005 by the partnership between the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) and the University of Florence, has been the first European Institute dedicated to organizing and hosting long-term workshops dedicated to theoretical physics of fundamental interactions. A Launching Committee was appointed to advise about scientific and management structures and suggest criteria for the formation of the Scientific and Advisory Committees. The members of the Launching Committee were David Gross, Giuseppe Marchesini, Alfred Mueller, Giorgio Parisi and Gabriele Veneziano (chair). The GGI was established in a building of the University of Florence on the historic hill of Arcetri, near the house where Galileo spent the last period of his life and died in 1642.
Since 2006 the GGI has been running on average three long-term workshops every year together with conferences and training or focus weeks. In addition, starting from 2013 four PhD schools have been organized every year on different domains of theoretical physics: string theory (this is the pioneering school organized at the GGI since 2008), theory of fundamental interactions, statistical field theory, nuclear and hadronic physics. In 2019 a fifth school on theoretical aspects of astroparticle physics, cosmology and gravitation has been added. Each school lasts two-three weeks during winter and aims at providing lectures on theoretical physics covering both basic as well as advanced topics. The courses of the GGI schools are officially part of the Italian PhD training program for the Universities that join the initiative.
In 2018 the GGI became "Centro Nazionale di Studi Avanzati dell'Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare" (National Center for Advanced Studies of INFN), once again in partnership with the University of Florence. The Institute thus confirmed its status as a reference point for the international scientific community and as a site dedicated to high-level training of young Italian and foreign researchers. The basic referent of the Center is the INFN National Scientific Committee for Theoretical Physics, which gives its full support to favour the activities of the Institute. Support to its initiatives is also provided by a grant of the Simons Foundation. Workshop proposals, every year, are selected by the GGI Scientific Committee.
Beside its institutional activities, the GGI hosts short term events like conferences, meetings and schools proposed by the international scientific community and selected by the GGI Council. In addition, a long-term visiting scientist program is active. Finally, researchers planning to carry on their research activity at the GGI on a regular basis can apply for the GGI Affiliated Membership.
In 2019, the "Galileo Galilei Medal" award was established. It is assigned every two years to one or more scientists who, in the 25 years before the date of the award, have achieved outstanding results in theoretical physics.
Invited speakers and other contributors to the GGI activities will be equally considered regardless of gender, nationality and ethnic or social origin. The GGI strongly discourage discrimination, harassment and any kind of disrespectful behaviour, actively encouraging friendly and respectful interactions among the participants, and endeavouring to provide a comfortable and professional work environement.
- Grasping the Cosmos
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click to closeA project for a cultural program in dialogue between art and science with the artist-in-residence Federica Di Carlo During the residency, Federica will join the school "Theoretical Aspects of Astroparticle Physics, Cosmology and Gravitation” and set up her temporary art studio at Villa Galileo
- The 2023 Galileo Galilei Medal goes to Zvi Bern, Lance Dixon and David Kosower
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click to closeThe physicists Zvi Bern, Lance Dixon and David Kosower are the winners of the Galileo Galilei Medal 2023 The prize is awarded for the development of powerful theoretical computational methods for collision processes at large particle accelerators. These methods have been essential for comparing theoretical predictions with experimental results obtained at CERN Large Hadron Collider.
Video interview and more info - International Day of Women and Girls in Science
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click to closeSostantivo femminile
Science and freedomTo reflect, not only on the issue of women's and girls' access to the scientific research, but also on the fundamental freedoms, dramatically denied in many areas of the world and defended with extraordinary strength, above all by women. Saturday, February 11, 2023 - 10:30
- GGI Post-Doc Day
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click to closeWe are pleased to announce the Galileo Galilei Institute Post-Doc Day on
December 16, 2022 at 2:30 PM (CET).The event is conceived to show how the research carried out by young researchers at the GGI contributes to the advancement of several topics in theoretical physics
- INFN Theoretical Physics: past, present and future
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click to closeAfter 70 years from the INFN foundation, the theory community celebrates the outstanding contributions that have made her an international protagonist. The day November 4, 2022, at the University "La Sapienza" in Rome, will be dedicated both to the past achievements and to current and future challenges at the frontiers of knowledge. Please register - The "2021 Milla Baldo Ceolin" National Award Ceremony
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click to closeAngelica Albertini (University of Turin), Chiara Calascibetta (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Marienza Caldarola (University of Padua), Sofia Maggioni (University of Milan Bicocca) and Viviana Viggiano (University of Bari) were awarded the "2021 Milla Baldo Ceolin" National Award! - Women in Theoretical Physics - Premio Nazionale “Milla Baldo Ceolin" 2021
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click to closeOn October 21, the "Milla Baldo Ceolin" National Award Ceremony will be held at "Villa Galileo" in Arcetri. The best Master degree theses in theoretical Physics will be awarded.
Afterwards the GGI and the Sistema Museale di Ateneo (UNIFI) propose SHE-SCIENCE , an event dedicated to promote the role of women in scientific research through meetings, experiments, lectures and experimental music - "Fuori dalla caverna" - Short film
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click to close130 young people visit INFN laboratories and research centres, particle physics and its many applications for the benefit of society and, above all, a great deal of passion for scientific research: these are the ingredients of the short film “Fuori dalla caverna”, directed by Alessio Attardi, shown for the first time on October 5 at the Ferrara's Sala Estense. Read more here
Previous News
- Apr 12, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
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SummerSolstice conference 2023
Conference
- Apr 17, 2023 - Apr 21, 2023
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New horizons for horizonless physics: from gauge to gravity and back II
Mini Workshop
- Apr 26, 2023 - Jun 09, 2023
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Axions across boundaries between Particle Physics, Astrophysics,
Cosmology and forefront Detection Technologies
Workshop

Preprints
We are collecting the preprints which aknowledge the GGI. If your preprint is not in the list please submit it here.
GGI Youtube channel
This Youtube channel collects lectures and talks video-recorded during GGI programs.
Lectures for PhD students
In our archive we have collected many lectures covering
the main topics in theoretical physics given by the greatest experts in the field at the GGI schools.
Here the suggestions for this week (please refer to the corresponding GGI School for lecture notes or additional material).
