Third Mission Public Engagement

Public Engagement

Public Engagement refers to “all activities institutionally organized by the University or its structures, non-profit, with educational, cultural, and societal development value.”

Recent Public Engagement initiatives within the Excellence Project:

Conference Cycle "Health for All, All for Health!"

The conference-debate cycle titled "Health for All, All for Health!" inaugurated in 2023 continued in 2025.

During 2025, two meetings took place, concluding with refreshments to facilitate discussion and interaction between speakers and participants. Both meetings were moderated by journalist Chiara Brilli, Editorial Director of Controradio. In both events, attendees were given anonymous paper questionnaires to collect feedback, including a closed question: "How much did you enjoy this open conference?" (1 = Not at all, 5 = Very much) and space for comments and suggestions.

The two events are detailed below.

"Microbiota and Health" — 27 June 2025

On 27 June, at the Sala Conferenza Sibilla Aleramo, Biblioteca delle Oblate, Florence, at 3:30 PM, the meeting titled "Microbiota and Health" took place. After an introduction by Prof. Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli, Professor of Pharmacology at the NEUROFARBA Department and Coordinator of the "Neurofarba, Excellence Department Project 2023-2027" Commission, the following presented:

• Dott.ssa Carlotta De Filippo, Institute of Biology and Agricultural Biotechnology, CNR: "An invisible co-evolution: how microbiota made us who we are"
• Prof. Luca Antonioli, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa: "The invisible dialogue: how microbiota regulates our immune system"
• Prof. Paolo Lionetti, Professor of General and Specialized Pediatrics, NEUROFARBA Department, Meyer University Hospital: "Diet, environment, and microbiota in pediatric age"
• Prof. Andrea Galli, Professor of Gastroenterology, Department of Biomedical, Experimental, and Clinical Sciences 'Mario Serio': "Modifying gut microbiota: from probiotics to transplantation"

Approximately 40 people attended; 35 completed the evaluation questionnaire. The average score was 4.66 (SD = 0.54). Comments highlighted strong appreciation of the scientific profile of the speakers and knowledge gained, with some noting technical jargon reduced accessibility for non-experts.

"Health and Digital Technology: Risks and Opportunities" — 5 December 2025

On 5 December, at the Sala Blu del Fuligno, Florence, at 3:30 PM, the meeting titled "Health and Digital Technology: Risks and Opportunities" took place. After an introduction by Dott. Andrea Piazzoli, Psychologist and Post-Doc Researcher at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, the following presented:

• Dott. Roberto Bonaiuti, Engineer and IT Manager, NEUROFARBA: "Artificial intelligence in medicine: from diagnosis to patient dialogue. Advantages, frontiers, and critical issues"
• Dott.ssa Giulietta Belli, Psychologist-Psychotherapist, Fondazione Modi di Dire, Prato: "Communication technologies: the impact of tablets in Augmentative and Alternative Communication"
• Dott.ssa Valentina Volpi, Senior Service Design Expert, Shape, Intellera Consulting (Accenture), Rome: "Beyond the gap: Designing the digital experience with users at the center"
• Prof.ssa Giulia Fioravanti, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence: "Between the net’s threads: from internet benefits to addiction risk"

Approximately 70 people attended; 45 completed the evaluation questionnaire. The average score was 4.22 (SD = 0.79). Feedback praised the speakers’ communication skills and audience engagement, with some suggesting discussions occur immediately after each talk rather than at the end.

Additional feedback asked: "Which health topics would you like covered in future public conferences?" Themes included mental health, telemedicine, medical robotics, environmental health, and aging.

Event summary slides

Notte Bianca a Sesto

As part of the Notte Bianca a Sesto initiative (Sesto Fiorentino, Florence), the Department organized "Discovering Organoids" at the Padiglione Ragazzi, Biblioteca Ragionieri, Sesto Fiorentino on 7 June 2025. Targeted at children and their guardians, the event aimed to raise awareness about science and discoveries. Attendees explored organoids through microscopes and solved organoid-themed puzzles. Over 50 people attended; 28 completed the feedback questionnaire. The average satisfaction score was 4.89 (SD = 0.31).

ScienzEstate

On 11–12 June 2025, at the Campus of Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), a laboratory- and play-based stand titled "Discovering New Drugs through Organoids" was held. The initiative aimed to educate about organoids and their potential in developing new pharmacological treatments. Attendees used microscopes and solved related puzzles. Approximately 100 people visited; 64 completed the feedback questionnaire. The average satisfaction score was 4.59 (SD = 0.59).