The School

LACES (Lezioni Avanzate di Campi e Stringhe - Advanced Lectures on Fields and Strings) is a school addressed at early PhD students in fundamental theoretical physics. It aims at filling the gap between the preparation from the Master's courses and the knowledge needed to take part in the current research on string theory and related topics, including the world-sheet formalism, supersymmetric quantum field theories and other QFT methods, supergravity, holography, and the relevant mathematical tools.

The school takes place every year in the months of November-December and has a duration of three weeks. It is distinguished by a limited number of intensive courses, taught in a pedagogical manner and considerable detail. A slightly more advanced topic of current interest is also presented, so that in addition to learning the basics the students also get in touch with active research.

The lecturers are selected among world-recognized experts in the respective fields of research, on the basis of their ability to deliver high quality, accessible lectures, and their availability to interact with students during the school. If requested, the lecturers provide exercises for exams to be taken after the end of the school. The video recordings of the lectures are made available on a dedicated YouTube channel.

LACES is open to applicants from every country in the world. A partial financial support is provided for local expenses such as lunches and possibly the accommodation. About 60 students are admitted; usually registration opens in summer and the selection is made in October.

The Galileo Galilei Institute is located on a beautiful hill in the outskirts of Florence. Its facilities, including an office space for all participants and a dining room on site, provide an environment ideally suited for scientific interactions.

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From the LACES foundation charter:

LACES will help students to interact in a stimulating environment among themselves and with active scientists. In addition, it provides a solid and more specialised background in theoretical physics to get a grasp on the literature, to benefit from conferences and advanced international schools and, last but not least, to carry on successful research during the short period of their graduate studies.

Florence, February 2008 - Carlo Angelantonj, Pietro Antonio Grassi, Gianluca Grignani, Luca Griguolo, Domenico Seminara