Italy faces challenges of reform

Abstract

Physicists will gather in Rome at the end of this month to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Enrico Fermi, one of the outstanding scientists of the 20th century. Awarded the Nobel prize in 1938 for his pioneering work in nuclear physics, Fermi also made notable contributions throughout many other areas of physics. And in Italy, the work of Fermi and his collaborators – known collectively as the School of Rome – paved the way for half a century of success in physics. But this success is under threat because bureaucracy and cronyism hold back many of the country's best young researchers.