In Como on 2 October, the 2026 Alessandro Volta Prize Award Ceremony promoted by the European Physical Society: the contribution of the University of Insubria

The 2026 Alessandro Volta Prize Award Ceremony will take place in Como on Friday, 2 October. The prize, promoted by the European Physical Society (Eps) in collaboration with Acinque, recognises research and achievements of particular significance in the field of physics and will be awarded to French physicist Jean Dalibard for his pioneering contributions to laser cooling, light–matter interactions and the quantum physics of many-body systems in ultracold gases. The award was announced last May during the Eps Council meeting in Vilnius.

The ceremony will take place in the morning at the Teatro Sociale in Como, the birthplace of Alessandro Volta, and will be attended by members of the international scientific community, including Nobel laureates William D. Phillips and Alain Aspect. In the afternoon, the programme will continue at the University of Insubria, with an international scientific symposium in the Aula Magna of the Sant’Abbondio Cloister, focusing on research topics related to the laureate’s scientific work. The day will conclude at 6.15 pm with a concert for solo, trio and quartet in the Sant’Abbondio Cloister.

Institutional greetings will be delivered by Alessandro Fermi, Councillor for Universities, Research and Innovation of the Lombardy Region; Alessandro Rapinese, Mayor of Como; Alessio Butti, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition, whose participation is still to be confirmed; Angela Bracco, President of the Italian Physical Society; and Paola Dubini, President of the Volta Foundation.

The University of Insubria is also involved in the initiative through its Department of Science and High Technology: Professor Giulio Casati and Professor Michela Prest, Director of the Department, are members of the Eps/Acinque scientific committee of the Alessandro Volta Prize. Professor Prest is also a member of the event’s organising committee.

The afternoon symposium will provide an opportunity to bring a day of international discussion on contemporary physics to the University’s premises, with talks focusing on quantum and atomic physics and the frontiers of research into ultracold gases.

The event will be a valuable opportunity for students, young researchers and anyone interested in physics. Participation is free, with registration required at the following link: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1676546/registrations/128987/

The day will conclude with a concert for solo, trio and quartet, scheduled for 6.15 pm in the Sant’Abbondio Cloister as part of the Alessandro Volta Prize programme.