Social Research Prize to Veronica Witte

Social Research Prize, fifth edition

Friday 29 May 2026, 5:30 PM-8:00 PM,
Auditorium of the University of Italian Switzerland,
13 Buffi Road, Lugano

"Ciao Table greeting practice”, in collaboration with
the’University of Italian Switzerland and with
L’Institute of Clinical Neuroscience of Southern Switzerland
and with the support of
City of Lugano

awards the prize to

Veronica Witte, Associate Scientist at the University of Leipzig and Group Leader in the Department of Neurology at the Max Planck Institute.

The recognition awarded to Veronica and her Institute will be represented by Noise, sculpture created by Pietro Campagnoli and will be delivered by Maria Elena Rudolf Ruiz de Olmedo, Global Ambassador for Culture, Human Connections & Creative Diplomacy

The preview of Pietro Campagnoli's video will follow. The hardest part (Unreleased, 59 seconds)

"Ciao Table greeting practice”, in this prestigious setting, will launch their project “A week of saying hello to… those you're close to”, aimed at promoting social relationships between acquaintances, but also between people who meet by chance.

On the topic of initiatives aimed at fostering social relations as important determinants of health and well-being, we will then have online testimonies from authoritative associations from Canada and the United States:
Pete Bombaci, founder/CEO of Genwell, Canada
Christian Langkamp, Community, Germany
Risa Wilkerson, Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connections, United States

A Round Table Discussion will follow, with participants Sabrina Antorini Massa, Riccardo Blumer, Sara Fumagalli.
Will lead Carla Norghauer.

PROGRAMME

5.30 pm Official addresses: Raul Ghisletta, City Councillor for the City of Lugano; Piera Serra, Chair of Ciao Table.

17:40 Introduction to the Social Research Prize: Alain Kaelin-Lang, Director of the Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Professor at the University of Italian Switzerland.

17:50 Presentation of the Social Research Prize award: 'Noise' sculpture by Pietro Campagnoli
Commentary by Maria Elena Rudolf. Video produced by the author.

18:00 Masterclass by Veronica Witte: How social relationships change the brain: new discoveries.

18:45 Round table: initiatives on how to facilitate social exchange. Participants: Sabrina Antorini Massa, Riccardo Blumer and Sara Fumagalli.
Online contributions from: Pete Bombaci, founder/CEO of Genwell, Canada; Christian Langkamp, GemEinsankeit, Germany; Risa Wilkerson, GILC, United States.

19:30 Casual drinks

Contact for further information: WhatsApp messages +41 79 913 68 04    info@ciaotable.org
At the end of the ceremony, the copyright-free photo service will be uploaded to the Gallery:

To register, please click here: form.ciaotable.org