The Einstein Telescope (ET) project was the main focus today, Friday, March 13, at the inauguration ceremony of the 2025/2026 academic year at the University of Cagliari. The lectio magistralis of the event, held at the Carmen Melis Theatre and opened by the university’s Rector, Francesco Mola, was delivered by Marica Branchesi, an astrophysicist and professor at the Gran Sasso Science Institute, and one of the most renowned scientists in the field of gravitational wave research.
In her lecture, Branchesi – who is also a member of the technical-scientific committee established by the Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR) to support Italy’s candidacy to host the Einstein Telescope – reviewed the recent discoveries and the great potential of gravitational wave research. She highlighted the extraordinary opportunities for discovery offered by the future observatory, which Italy has proposed to host in the area around the former Sos Enattos mine, in the Nuoro province. Branchesi emphasized that the Sardinian site, due to its scientific features, would represent an ideal location to host the ET.
Among the speeches that preceded the lectio magistralis – introduced by the Vice-Rector for Research, Luciano Colombo – there was also an address by Silvia Cotza, a PhD student in physics directly involved in the ET project. Speaking on behalf of the student community, Cotza highlighted the strong attractive role that the possible arrival of ET in Sardinia could have for young students, helping to build “a future based on knowledge, innovation, and development for our community”.
Silvia Cotza’s speech.