The ecodynamics group - made up of a team of researchers in the field of physical chemistry, environmental chemistry, and cultural heritage - aims to promote cross-fertilization between different scientific fields and improve the know how for a long-term sustainable development.

The beginning of this activity dates back to the 1960’s, with the collaboration between Enzo Tiezzi and Barry Commoner at Washington University, which brought the expansion of the field of research from magnetic resonance imaging to the study of the environment and ecosystems. Then, in the 1970’s, the collaboration with the Nobel Prize winner Ilya Prigogine opened new perspectives towards the study of living systems through the vision of physics and evolutionary thermodynamics.

Within this group, chemists and biologists, natural and environmental science doctorates, economists, engineers, and architects collaborate. The numerous collaborations with national and international research groups, established and consolidated over the years, have contributed to the advancement of the skills of the researchers in Siena with respect to environmental issues, and to the development of an articulated and aware vision of the subject of sustainability.

The research activity is developed on two levels: one, theoretical-epistemological, studies the complexity of natural and anthropic systems, and investigates the scientific bases of sustainability; the other develops environmental monitoring and evaluation techniques and indicators in order to study transformation processes, ecosystems, and territorial and economic systems.

Founder: Enzo Tiezzi; Scientific direction: Nadia Marchettini, Simone Bastianoni; Professors: Andrea Atrei, Federico Pulselli; Mauro Rustici; Technicians: Silvia Focardi, Lorenzo Martini, Valentina Niccolucci; PhD research fellows: Francesca Benetti, Nicoletta Patrizi, Riccardo Pulselli; Partner researchers: Pietro Romano, Federico Rossi, Benedetto Rugani, Michela Marchi, Vladimiro Pelliciardi; Ph.D. Students: Dario Caro, Luca Coscieme, Fabiana Morandi, Elena Neri, Francesca Rossetti; Secretary: Donatella Valacchi.

contacts: Via della Diana 2A - 53100 - Siena - tel +39 0577 232003 - Fax +39 0577 232004 - email ecodynamics@unisi.it