July 26 - August 1, 2026

Cutting-Edge Research Topics in Networking in the Era of AI Pervasiveness

Aim & Scope

Why Attend?

The PhD school is designed to go beyond technologies and trends, focusing instead on advanced methodologies, models, and ways of thinking. Its goal is to equip participants with the "methodological weapons" needed to tackle emerging and still-undefined research challenges in future networks. Along the way, through three main lectures and around ten keynote-sized talks, students will be exposed to a variety of problem domains, ranging from age of information and quantum information theory to next-generation air interfaces, THz communications, and integrated communication and sensing, while also keeping in view fundamental network attributes such as resilience, security, and programmability.

Lectures

Keynotes

Directors

Anthony Ephremides

University of Maryland, USA

Age of Information and Semantic Communications: Fundamentals and Perspectives

Ian F. Akyildiz

Truva Inc., USA

AI/ML as the Engine of Next Generation Communication Networks

Osvaldo Simeone

Northeastern University, London, UK

Quantum Information Processing and Learning

Andrea Conti

University of Ferrara, Italy

Research challenges and application perspectives in Quantum Sensing and Communication

Andrea Zanella

University of Padova, Italy

Goal Oriented Communications: from formal models to applied algorithms

Joerg Widmer

IMDEA, Madrid, Spain

AI-supported techniques for sensing: research challenges and application perspectives

Marco Giordani

University of Padova, Italy

Towards Full-Stack Protocol Design in 5G NR Non-Terrestrial Networks

Raffaele Bruno

CNR, Pisa, Italy

The research infrastructure of the SLICES Italian Node: exploitation opportunities for the scientific community

Stefania Bartoletti

Federated and Distributed ISAC: Toward Trustworthy and Privacy-Preserving Sensing Systems

University of Roma Tor Vergata, Italy

Stefano Buzzi

University of Cassino, Italy

Cell-free massive MIMO and AI-based techniques

Stefano Salsano

University of Roma Tor Vergata, Italy

Inside the AI fabric: scenarios, challenges and solutions

Tommaso Melodia

Northeastern University, Boston, USA

Open 6G: Toward Self-Synthesizing Autonomous NextG Networks

Yin Sun

University of Auburn, USA

AoI applications to real-time inference

Giuseppe Bianchi

University of Rome Tor Vergata

Sergio Palazzo

University of Catania

Travel and accommodation

The conference room (at Hotel Carasco, Porto delle Genti, Lipari) is air-conditioned and equipped with all necessary conference materials. In addition, special areas are reserved for students for the afternoon coursework and study. The island of Lipari can be easily reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Milazzo, Palermo, Naples, Messina, and Reggio Calabria (a 50-minute ride from Milazzo).

Participant Categories

1. Students

This track is designed for those who require ECTS credits for a Ph.D. program.

Coursework: Includes 24 hours of instruction and mandatory afternoon sessions.
Assessment: Grades are assigned via the ECTS scale based on a written Test, conducted on the final day.
Credits: ECTS credits are awarded upon passing the exam.

2. Auditors

This track is for participants who wish to attend the sessions but do not want to take the exam or earn academic credit.

Participants can switch track at any time.

Registration & Fees

Fees:

Early Registration: €650.00, for applications submitted before June 01, 2026.
Late Registration: €750.00, for applications submitted after June 01, 2026 and before July 07, 2026.
What’s Included: Course material, bus + hydrofoil Catania airport-Lipari-Catania airport, social events, and coffee breaks.

Requirements:

Students: Must include a short letter of intent.
Other Applicants: Must provide a link to an updated CV/website.
All: cell phone number required for emergency contact (Telegram account is suggested to be automatically added to the school channel).

Payment & Cancellations:

Payment: Due via wire transfer or credit card by July 07, 2026. No other forms of payment can be accepted.
Cancellations: A 30% penalty applies to all refunds after payment.