GSSI is an international PhD school and a center for advanced studies in physics, mathematics, computer science and social sciences, located in the heart of L'Aquila historic city centre. L'Aquila is a city in the centre of Italy, at about 110 Km (68 miles) to the east of Rome. It is situated in the heart of the mountainous region of the Abruzzi at a height of 721 metres above sea level.