The SQM 2019 conference is organised by the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), in collaboration with the Physics Department “M. Merlin” of the “Aldo Moro” University and Polytechnic University of Bari. The INFN is the Italian research agency dedicated to the study of the fundamental constituents of matter and the laws that govern them, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR). It conducts theoretical and experimental research in the fields of subnuclear, nuclear and astroparticle physics. The Bari Unit of the INFN was founded in 1972 and is actually involved in projects belonging to the main research lines of the Institute (from Particle Physics to Astroparticle, Nuclear Physics, Theoretical Physics and Technological research).
The Physics Department “M. Merlin” was established more than 50 years ago in the University of Bari and since 1972 it hosted the “Sezione di Bari” of the INFN. Lately, in 1995, it became “Interateneo”, which means that it operates with both the University and the Polytechnic University of Bari, thanks to an agreement signed by the two institutions at that time. More than 50 physics professors are working in the department and teaching in several degree courses such as all the Natural Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc.), Farmacy, Medicine and all types of Engineerings. Its research activity covers several different topics such as Nuclear and Astroparticle Physics, Quantum Electronic and Solid State Physics, Theoretical physics, and Applied physics in medicine, computing, nanomaterials, remote sensing and dating of archeological finds.
