The Institute for Scientific Interchange (Italian: Istituto per l'Interscambio Scientifico, ISI Foundation, ISI) is an independent, resident-based research institute located in Turin (Italy, EU). Its primary objective is scientific research and advanced training in the fields of data science, complex systems, and the applications of data and computational models for social impact and public health.

History

ISI was founded in 1983 and supported by the regional government, the province and city of Turin, and by two banking institutions in Piedmont: Compagnia di San Paolo and the CRT Foundation.^[1]

In the 2011 SIR World Report of Institutional Rankings, ISI ranked 28th in Europe for scientific impact, 87th worldwide and 1/4th of the articles produced at ISI are in the top cited 10%.^{[2][failed verification]}

The ISI worked with the CRT Foundation (in particular with the Lagrange Project) and the San Paolo Company.

Activities

Description

The mission of ISI is to promote scientific research, interchange and cooperation at the highest degree of quality both in terms of creativity and originality of research and to represent a pillar of high-level interdisciplinary training.^[1] By combining local relevance with global influence, the ISI Foundation promotes an interdisciplinary scientific culture and is committed to supporting the next generation of scientists in addressing the complex challenges of our era. Over more than four decades, the ISI Foundation has played a fundamental role in creating a network of researchers and internationally renowned institutions, facilitating the exchange of knowledge among academies, governments, industry, global agencies, and non-profit organizations. This collaborative effort aims to harness the transformative power of science to drive social, economic, and cultural progress.

ISI focuses on: complex networks, complexity science, Data Science for Social Impact and Sustainability, Computational Epidemiology

Training

• Joint masters-level program: the Master in Epidemiology, the Lagrange Scholarships
• Doctoral studies: possibility to host PhD students wishing to pursue full-time graduate studies under the supervision of an ISI faculty member. PhD students receive their doctoral degrees from a university partner, which can range in locations.
• Courses: Selection of planned courses each year, including cross-listed programs with universities and mini-courses given by ISI Faculty, associate faculty, and visiting researchers.

Alumni

• Jacob Biamonte, Former Research Group Leader of the Quantum Science Laboratory

• Tullio Regge, First President of the ISI Foundation

Governance

Board of trustees

• Alessandro Vespignani, president
• Annapaola Venezia, Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita CRT
• Pierluigi Poggiolini, Politecnico di Torino

Scientific Advisory Board

• Noshir Contractor, Northwestern University
• Fosca Giannotti, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa
• Massimo Lapucci, Fondazione CRT
• Nuria Oliver, ELLIS Alicante Foundation
• Stefaan Gerard Verhulst, The GovLab
• Ingmar Weber, Saarland University
• Alessandro Vespignani, president