“Theoretical and applied computer sciences, physics and mathematics, computational sciences for biology, for neuroscience and for the social sciences, developed at different times and, in large universities around the world, ended up creating distinct departments,” Riccardo Zecchina, a theoretical physicist appointed as Head of the new Department of Computing Sciences at Bocconi University, Milan, says, “but these worlds are increasingly dialoguing with each other. It is science itself that is breaking down barriers, and we, by forming in 2022, have taken note of this, creating a unique department that aims to create the preconditions for developing innovative research in many fields.”