Global challenges push for new solutions and the need for interdisciplinary approaches and more creative solutions has never been more pressing. This year’s Summer Academy in Magliaso, with its theme centered on hallucinations, was designed to foster precisely that kind of creative, cross-disciplinary approach. A vibrant place for ideas, creativity, and intellectual exploration for students from diverse academic backgrounds to explore creative solutions to multifaceted issues.
Interdisciplinarity
In today’s interconnected world, addressing complex issues requires more than just a single discipline. The academy embodied this philosophy, offering a space where neuroscientists, artists, economists, and psychologists merged their expertise to tackle the multifaceted theme of hallucinations. These discussions went beyond mere academic exploration, modeling the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration needed to solve global problems. For example, exploring hallucinations brought in perspectives from neuroscience and philosophy, while digital ethics and social psychology enriched discussions on perception and cognition.
The experience reminded all of us that real-world challenges, such as understanding mental phenomena or addressing climate change, demand that we think beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. As we debated the ethics and philosophical implications of altered perceptions, we mirrored the collaborative, holistic approach that modern challenges require.
A Unique Intellectual Environment
Summer Academy, August 2024
Each year, the Swiss Study Foundation organizes multiple Summer Academies in Magliaso, each with a different focus. The one in the beginning of September provided an exceptional intellectual environment, blending rigorous academic inquiry with creative exploration of hallucinations and cognition. Throughout the week, participants engaged in deep discussions on topics such as the power of choice in human perception, the relationship between art and the mind, and the societal implications of digital hallucinations.
This blend of perspectives allowed each participant to see their own field through a fresh lens. For instance, a morning discussion might dive into the philosophical aspects of neural pathways, while an afternoon session could explore how art reflects and influences cognitive processes. The diverse academic backgrounds of participants—spanning physics, literature, political science, and psychology—added depth to every discussion. Conversations across disciplines provided insights that would have been impossible to reach within a single field alone.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Centro Magliaso, Ticino
The tranquil surroundings of Magliaso, next to Lake Lugano, was the catalyst for spontaneous, thought-provoking conversations that felt as natural as the landscape itself. While formal sessions were intellectually stimulating, it was often during informal moments—over a shared meal or during a reflective walk by the lake—that the real magic happened. Whether debating philosophical concepts late into the night or brainstorming creative projects in the afternoon, participants found shared ideas freely and naturally. One participant shared how a discussion on the ethics of digital societies are connected with law. Another participant from a science background discovered that a conversation about the philosophical implications of perception completely transformed his view of his research.
The Summer Academies in Magliaso are not merely learning retreats; they are transformative crucibles for future leaders and innovators. Their Interdisciplinary approach offers students a refreshed perspective on how different disciplines can complement each other to solve challenges in ways no single field could achieve on its own. Dissolving academic boundaries and allowing participants to flourish in spaces where their ideas can thrive, that’s a big part of what the Summer Academies are all about
For those ready to challenge the status quo and shape interdisciplinary solutions to the world’s most pressing issues, the Academies offer an unmatched opportunity. If you are seeking to transcend traditional academic boundaries and forge new intellectual paths, the Swiss Study Foundation’s Summer Academies are the perfect place to begin.
The Swiss Study Foundation supports outstanding students enrolled at Swiss universities, helping them excel in their academic and professional paths. Participation in the Summer Academies is open mostly for the Foundation’s students, selected for their academic achievements, intellectual curiosity, and social engagement. These students engage in various events throughout the year, including multiple Summer Academies, each focused on different interdisciplinary topics. The academies span the entire summer and are held mainly in Ticino, making them an essential component of the Foundation’s program to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and innovation.
Jelena Magnin is a science and policy professional and participated in the Summer Academy on hallucinations, where she held a workshop on science writing as a representative of the Reatch organisation. Linkedin.
