Brief Information
The STS Italia Summer School 2026 invites early-career researchers to explore AI and the Future of Healthcare through critical Science and Technology Studies (STS) perspectives.
The 8th edition will take place in Trieste, Italy, and is jointly organized by STS Italia and STS Austria.
This intensive academic programme brings together interdisciplinary scholars to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare systems, practices, and power relations.
Key Dates & Details
- Program Name: 8th STS Italia Summer School – AI and the Future of Healthcare
- Location: Trieste, Italy (on-site)
- Dates: 7–10 July 2026
- Host Institution: University of Trieste
- Organisers: STS Italia & STS Austria
- Participants: Maximum 25
- Participation Fee: €400 (includes accommodation, meals, social programme)
- Scholarships: 10 full scholarships available
- Application Deadline: 23 March 2026
Table of Contents
Overview
The STS Italia Summer School 2026 is dedicated to a critical and interdisciplinary examination of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The programme addresses emerging AI applications in both clinical and public health contexts, focusing not only on technological innovation but also on its broader social, institutional, and political implications.
Participants will engage with key STS concepts such as infrastructures, sociotechnical imaginaries, governance, ethics, and power relations. Through lectures, group discussions, and methodological workshops, the summer school creates a space for in-depth reflection on how AI systems are designed, implemented, and legitimized within healthcare environments.
The programme is supported by an international faculty and emphasizes dialogue across disciplines. By situating AI within real-world healthcare practices, the STS Italia Summer School encourages participants to critically assess the promises and limitations of data-driven medicine.
The Summer School also fosters peer learning, comparative debate, and long-term academic networking, offering participants a unique opportunity to refine research questions and methodologies in an intensive international setting.
Eligibility
The STS Italia Summer School 2026 is designed for:
- PhD candidates in STS and related disciplines
- Postdoctoral researchers and early-career scholars
- Researchers from sociology, anthropology, philosophy, public health, digital health, and policy studies
- Participants from other disciplines with a strong interest in STS approaches
Applicants should demonstrate academic interest in AI, healthcare, or science and technology studies. Membership in STS Italia or STS Austria is required for scholarship recipients (membership fee paid separately).
Application Details
Applications for the STS Italia Summer School 2026 must be submitted online before 23 March 2026.
What the fee includes:
- Accommodation in Trieste
- Daily meals during the programme
- Social and networking activities
- Full access to lectures and workshops
Scholarship Programme:
- 10 full scholarships covering all participation costs
- 4 scholarships reserved for STS Austria members
- 6 scholarships reserved for STS Italia members
Applicants are encouraged to review the full call carefully and prepare their materials accordingly. For broader academic context on AI and STS, you may also explore resources from the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology.
FAQ
1. Is the STS Italia Summer School 2026 fully funded?
Yes, selected scholarship recipients will have all participation costs fully covered.
2. Is the programme online or in-person?
The summer school is fully on-site in Trieste, Italy.
3. Do I need to be an STS Italia or STS Austria member?
Membership is required only if you are awarded a scholarship.
4. How competitive is the application process?
The programme is selective, with only 25 participants accepted.
Official Link
👉 Apply now for the STS Italia Summer School 2026:
- Full Call for Applications: https://stsitalia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/8th-STS-Summer-School-New_FullCall.pdf
- Application Form: https://forms.gle/Q5sRxpC39tCe4LkD6
- Official Event Page: https://www.ais-sociologia.it/evento/ottava-summer-school-sts-italia-ai-and-the-future-of-healthcare/
📧 Contact: [email protected]
