The Balzan Foundation collects scientific contributions, and dissertations from its prizewinners for periodic publications. The Balzan Papers journal has been digital since 2024, and here, some updates on the research projects of the Balzan prizewinners are also gathered.

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Balzan papers

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  • History of sciences and ideas
  • Essays

Paolo Rossi Monti

La scienza e la sua storia

Italian July 2024

In discussing the work of the historian of science, with “La scienza e la sua storia” Paolo Rossi Monti provides an interesting overview of long-forgotten objects, theories, methodologies, formulations of problems, career paths. The essay comes with a profile of Paolo Rossi Monti where Nicolette Mout outlines his contribution to the history of science as […]

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  • Mathematics, physics, and technology
  • Interviews

Khalid Barkaoui

Looking for New Worlds

English July 2024

Science journalist Senne Starckx interviews astrophysicist Khalid Barkaoui from the SPECULOOS project, led by Michaël Gillon (2017 Balzan Prizewinner for The Sun’s Planetary System and Exoplanets). The project, involving six universities, uses robotic telescopes in Chile, Tenerife and Mexico to find Earth-like planets around red dwarf stars using the transit method.

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  • Natural sciences
  • Events
English May 2024

2022 Prizewinner Hans Oerlemans reports on Balzan excursions he led in Upper Engadine, where participants were able to experience first-hand how glaciers shape the landscape and learn about his research on glaciers, in particular, the MortAlive project.

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  • Medicine
  • Essays
English May 2024

Despite decades of research, scientists are only beginning to unravel the complexities of the brain’s functions, which surpass high-performance computers. Reinhard Jahn focuses on understanding synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter release, shedding light on this intricate system.

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  • History
  • Essays
English May 2024

Osterhammel surveys global history’s evolution, noting its establishment in academe while highlighting its fragility. He calls for methodological awareness and pluralism in an approach balancing movement-building and the field’s transformative potential.

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  • Mathematics, physics, and technology
  • Interviews
Italian May 2024

In this interview with journalist Evgeny Utkin, Luigi Ambrosio, winner of the 2019 Balzan Prize, talks about his life as a mathematician, touching on his areas of research, his career in education, and the responsibilities of scientists today.

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