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Marking its first time being hosted in Asia, the 10th Diffusion Fundamentals conference will showcase how the concept of diffusion has evolved in a fast-changing world

After nine successful years, the 10th annual Diffusion Fundamentals conference will take place in September 2023 at New Uzbekistan University (NewUU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Previously held in Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Greece and the US, the conference brings together scholars from various disciplines in science and the humanities to promote cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue.

As the conference makes its first appearance in Asia, Tashkent’s heritage as one of the leading trade centres along the Silk Road makes it a historic location to discuss the diffusion of objects and ideas.

Originally a purely scientific concept referring to the movement of particles, diffusion has evolved to include the movement of technology, norms, attitudes, languages and culture, explains Shlomo Weber, co-director of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s Greater Eurasia Research Center (GEAR) and chair of the 2023 conference. “It will be very different from the first conference 18 years ago in Leipzig,” Weber says. “Diffusion is now so interconnected with history and politics and we’re seeing things happen more rapidly and go in new directions.”

Sessions taking place at NewUU will cover the conference’s traditional theme of diffusion in physics and engineering, as well as the circulation of information in social networks, the spread of socioeconomic influences across different generations, nature-inspired transport optimisation and environmental issues. Weber will host a session at the conference on the diffusion and acquisition of language, and the role of English as a predominant language across the globe.

NewUU aspires to become a leading research centre in Central Asia and hosting this conference will support its aims by promoting interdisciplinary discussion and collaboration. Academics realise that the concept of diffusion must evolve beyond a focus on engineering and science, says Weber. “It needs to draw from the faculties of humanities, social sciences and international relations, which must come together to develop ideas.” The conference is co-organised by the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities, GEAR and NewUU.

Bringing people together for interdisciplinary research can be a challenge due to academics’ different approaches and attitudes to their work, Weber says. He believes that conferences such as Diffusion Fundamentals can help overcome these barriers. As this is the first time the event has been hosted in Asia, Weber believes it will naturally promote the idea that diffusion must be considered from different perspectives.

“We are very happy and grateful to be in Tashkent and owe huge thanks to the NewUU management,” Weber says. The conference will be inaugurated by representatives from the Uzbekistan government, including the minister of preschool and school education, and the director of the Agency for Specialized Educational Institutions. Excursions, dinners, and cultural activities are part of the schedule for the conference and will introduce participants to Uzbekistan’s unique culture.

The closing ceremony will feature a speech from Bakhtiyor Yuldashev, NewUU’s vice-rector for innovation and research, and concluding remarks from Hans Wiesmeth, president of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities.