Naomi Oreskes, renowned historian of science and author of the influential book Merchants of Doubt, will be among the keynote speakers at the 14th National Conference on Science Communication, taking place at SISSA from 2 to 5 December 2025. In her talk, Information Disorders: Old Strategies for New Deceptions, Oreskes will explore how tactics used to undermine scientific evidence in the past continue to shape the current landscape of global disinformation.
Alongside her authoritative voice, the conference will feature over 40 sessions addressing some of the most pressing issues in contemporary science communication—from the professionalisation of training to assessing the effectiveness of communication initiatives in terms of quality, trust and ethics; from the proliferation of platforms and actors to dialogue across disciplines and professions; and the emergence of new, more inclusive and culturally aware models of engagement between science and society. The programme involves around 125 speakers, offering a rich and multifaceted view of the current priorities, challenges and transformations in the field. A clear trend emerges: a shift to more participatory and conversational approaches, bridging the gap between knowledge and society, experts and laypeople, technical language and everyday life.
The event is organised by the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of SISSA, with the support of Feltrinelli Education and iNEST - Interconnected Nord-Est Innovation Ecosystem, and in collaboration with Immaginario Scientifico, SWIM – Science Writers in Italy, and Fondazione Pezcoller. Main partner: SISSA Medialab
The full programme and all details regarding participation are available on the official Conference website: comunicazionescienza.com