My name is Gianmarco Del Sarto and I am carrying out my research at the Scuola Normale di Pisa. While writing my master's thesis in mathematics, I became interested in the use of some probability techniques, in particular stochastic analysis, to study a certain climate phenomenon known as tipping point. Subsequently, it was only natural for me to continue my university course with PhD SDC, which is giving me the opportunity to further my interest in the applications of mathematics to climate.
Thanks to the opportunity offered by the PhD programme to split the research period abroad into several windows, I did a first one-month foreign period at the end of my first year. I did this at the University of Reading (UoR), where at the same time a residential programme was organised by the Isaac Newton Institute, an international mathematics research institute based at the University of Cambridge. The first period allowed me to expand my network of acquaintances and to start collaborating with scholars I met in Reading. Later, in the middle of my second year, I started a second period abroad, also at UoR, where I still am. This second stay gives me the opportunity not only to finish the research work I had undertaken, but also to interact with the Centre for the Mathematics of Planet Earth and colleagues in the meteorology department, where offices of the Met Office, the UK's national meteorological centre, are also housed.
The welcome I received here in England was very warm. I have been provided with access to all the buildings on the university campus and my own office, next to my supervisor. This allows me to interact frequently and efficiently. Regarding the foreign research team, it is actually mainly made up of myself and my supervisor, which is quite common in mathematics. Nevertheless, the environment is made up of scholars from all over the world (Finland, Iran, Germany, India, just to name a few countries of origin).
So far, I have not encountered any significant bureaucratic problems. The only downside is that the UK no longer adheres to Erasmus programmes and room rents, especially in a city like Reading very close to London, are significantly high. For this reason, I would advise colleagues to make responsible use of the research funds allocated for the three-year period.
Finally, I believe that this period abroad has allowed me to come into contact with new colleagues by participating in academic activities, such as seminars, organised at my host university. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to get to know a new culture and for the first time in my life to experience a long stay outside Italy. Upon my return to Pisa, I plan to publish the research work carried out as a result of this stay abroad.
Regarding my free time here in Reading, I like to spend it taking a walk on one of the many trails or going to see the murals created by Bansky, one of my favourite artists, in the various towns near where I am.