LINXS is warmly welcoming our new guest researcher, Gaia Sebastiana Ferraro. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the Department of Architecture, Design and Environment at the University of Sassari in Italy, and will stay at LINXS for three months, from late April to late July 2026.

For Gaia, LINXS represents an ideal environment for developing her research on large-scale scientific research infrastructures as complex environments for knowledge production.

What will you work on during your stay in Lund, Sweden?

During her stay at LINXS, Gaia Sebastiana Ferraro will work on case studies involving LINXS, MAX IV and ESS, departing from the idea that architecture, organisational structures, and scientific practices are deeply intertwined.

During my stay in Lund, I will continue developing my PhD research, which focuses on large-scale scientific research infrastructures as complex environments for knowledge production. In particular, I will work on case studies such as LINXS, MAX IV, and ESS, observing their internal dynamics firsthand.

My work will be twofold: on one side, I will produce materials for science communication and public engagement; on the other, I will conduct interviews and engage in discussions with researchers, technicians, and administrative staff. This will allow me to collect qualitative data directly in the field and better understand how knowledge is produced, organized, and communicated within these environments.

What are your research interests?

My research interests lie at the intersection of architecture, sociology, and phenomenology, with a particular focus on the cognitive processes involved in scientific understanding. I am interested in how space—through its configuration, aesthetics, and internal organization—can influence the comprehension of complex theoretical concepts.

In this sense, I see architecture not merely as a container, but as an active agent that shapes and mediates the production of knowledge.

You come from a social science background, what attracted you to the large-scale facilities?

What attracted me to large-scale infrastructures is their systemic impact. They are not just buildings or research centers, but devices capable of reshaping urban environments and influencing contemporary society.

Over the past decades, many countries have heavily invested in these infrastructures as drivers of development, yet their social and territorial impacts remain only partially explored.

I see them as knowledge ecosystems, where architecture, organisational structures, and scientific practices are deeply intertwined. My goal is to observe and interpret these interactions, also in relation to the broader urban and social contexts in which they are embedded.

Why do you want to spend time at LINXS?

LINXS represents an ideal environment for my research because of its inherently interdisciplinary and international nature. Its proximity to infrastructures such as ESS and MAX IV creates a unique ecosystem in which science develops through dialogue across disciplines.

Moreover, the vision of the Science Village in Lund - focused on promoting science, education, and societal engagement - strongly aligns with my research project. I am particularly interested in exploring how these infrastructures function not only as sites of advanced research, but also as cultural and communicative spaces.

What do you hope you will get out of the visit overall?

First and foremost, I aim to gain practical experience through direct observation and participation in the daily activities of international research infrastructures. This will allow me to develop skills in analysing research spaces and their organizational structures.
At the same time, I hope to strengthen my interdisciplinary and international competencies through engagement with a diverse scientific community.

Another key objective is to deepen my experience in science communication and public engagement by contributing to the organization of seminars, workshops, and public events, including initiatives aimed at schools and educational institutions.

How can LINXS support you in your work?

LINXS can provide essential support by allowing me to actively engage in its scientific and outreach activities. The opportunity to collaborate in organising seminars, workshops, and public events offers a concrete setting to experiment with innovative approaches to science communication.

In addition, involvement in interdisciplinary projects and applied research activities will enable me to closely observe scientific practices and collaborative dynamics, significantly enriching my research trajectory.