Newsletter
What to expect from the Annual Conference and the hosting at University of Bicocca in Milan? Monika Weissensteiner chats with some members of the Organizing Committee to get a sneak peek into the upcoming Annual Conference and General Assembly 2024.
The MCAA Annual Conference and General Assembly in 2024 will take place in Milan, Italy, starting with satellite events on March 14th, followed by the conference on March 15th and 16th.
We dedicate the 2024 conference to the 10th anniversary of the Marie Curie Alumni Association and to everyone who has made this journey possible.
The call for sessions is currently open for six thematic tracks: (1) Bridging Science and Business, (2) Career Development, (3) Genders, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, (4) Policy, (5) Research Funding, (6) Research Management and (7) Science Communication.
Monika Weissensteiner (MW): The 10thanniversary of the MCAA will be hosted in Italy. What were your thoughts when the candidacy by the Italy Chapter was accepted?
Riccardo Biondi (RB): We were obviously thrilled to see that our effort had been successful. When Carlo initially approached me with the idea of proposing Milan as the conference venue, I embraced it, though I was also a bit nervous since it is a big challenge for the Italy Chapter’s capabilities. We are all volunteers and devote our free time to supporting the Chapter’s activities. After receiving the news, we were conscious that there was no turning back. The excitement fuels hard work and we aim to make it a great experience for all the participants.
During the conference and beyond, what can participants expect from coming to Milan?
Carlo Antonini (CA): Milan is a young and attractive city for research. It has a population of 200K students distributed among some of the best universities in Italy and in Europe. I think coming to Milan represents a good opportunity for young scientists in the MCAA to connect with other fellows and alumni that will gather for the AC&GA, and also to meet the local scientists and research groups and to establish new collaborations.
Any practical advice for planning the trip?
CA: Milan is in the heart of Europe, so it can be conveniently accessed by plane but also by train, which can be cheaper and quicker, and is, of course, the most sustainable option. Milan is full of events, so try to book your trip as soon as possible, as hotel prices can skyrocket.
What are topics important to the Italy Chapter which you are looking forward to seeing addressed on the occasion of the 10th anniversary conference?
RB: Some of the main objectives of the Chapter are boosting the career of young members and improving networking and communication within the association and outside. For this reason, we will support the involvement and collaboration with industry and academies to enable the members to analyze the pros and cons of both workingenvironments, to get new contacts and to exchange ideas and experiences.
What does it mean for the Italy Chapter to host this important MCAA event?
RB: This is the biggest event that the Chapter has ever organized. It will be a great opportunity to involve as many chapter members as possible and to test our capabilities. So far the Chapter has achieved important results at the national level, but the involvement of the members was mainly virtual. This event will also be important for attracting new active members, as well as to find collaborators for future activities and to put the fellows and alumni in touch with possible national and international stakeholders.
What does the 2024 edition of AC&GA mean for the MCAA?
Gian Maria Greco: The 2024 Annual Conference & General Assembly in Milan is set to mark a pivotal moment in the annals of the MCAA. It is our chance to look back on an amazing ten years and to plan how we can make the next ones even better. Hope to see everyone there!
Come and join us for the 10th anniversary MCAA conference in Milan!
On behalf of the 2024 MCAA AC&GA Organizing Committee
Riccardo Biondi
Chair of the Italy Chapter
CIMA Research Foundation
italy.chapter@mariecuriealumni.eu
Monika Weissensteiner
2024 AC&GA Communication Team Italy Chapter
University of Trento
m.weissensteiner@unitn.it
Gian Maria Greco
Board Member of the MCAA
and Member of the Italy Chapter
Macerata University
gianmaria.greco@mariecuriealumni.eu
Carlo Antonini
University of Milano-Bicocca
Member of the Italy Chapter
and Chair of the 2024 MCAA AC&GA Organizing Committee
carlo.antonini@unimib.it
