The Center promotes research, application and dissemination of mathematical sciences, also in relation to historical and foundational aspects, in synergy with scientific and university environments and with attention also to industrial research. Particular attention is paid to the permanent updating of school teachers and to teaching innovation within the relevant disciplines, with attention also to epistemology and the history of science.
The University of International Studies of Rome - UNINT established the Laboratory of Mathematical Sciences (LabSciMat) in the spring of 2010 thanks to the promotional action of the teacher Giandomenico Boffi, who was its director until 1 October 2020. The laboratory is currently directed by Antonio Iovanella.
Why a laboratory in Mathematical Sciences?
“Mathematical Sciences”, as shown for example by the center of the same name at the English University of Cambridge, includes not only mathematics, but also statistics, econometrics, computer science, etc.
“Laboratory” does not only refer to the prospect of having adequate automatic calculation resources, but – more than “centre” or other similar terms – underlines the aspect of work under construction that the initiative has in the context of the University.
Research, applications and outreach: inside and outside the university
The laboratory currently has as its main working themes those linked to the applications of complexity theory and network science in the fields of economics, management and, in general, decision support systems. The laboratory avails itself of the collaboration of internal and external scholars at the University and, furthermore, is in synergy with various national and international initiatives. Finally, the laboratory collaborates with various companies with the aim of encouraging and promoting technological transfer and innovation.
Activities in previous years
In the past, the laboratory hosted a research unit of the INdAM (National Institute of Higher Mathematics) and organized seminars and study meetings, mainly in algebra and differential geometry.
The laboratory was also interested in mathematics teaching at school and university level and collaborated with the Roman section of the PLS (National Scientific Degree Plan) in the organization of the now consolidated summer mathematics school aimed at high school students in Lazio.
Furthermore, the laboratory was one of the driving forces of the Mediterranean Youth Mathematical Championship (MYMC) and the teacher Boffi chaired the Operational Committee. The Championship saw its birth at the University of International Studies of Rome - UNINT and was promoted and financed by MIUR, INdAM, ICTP (the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste), PLS, UMI (Italian Mathematical Union) and four Roman universities Sapienza, Tor Vergata, Roma Tre and UNINT.
Contact details
E-mail: labscimat@unint.eu
