Il passato nel futuro: la storia delle università

“Il passato nel futuro: la storia delle università. Ricerche e prospettive nel centenario del CSUP” collects the proceedings of the international conference held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Centre for the History of the University of Padua (CSUP). The volume provides a comprehensive historiographical reflection on the role, memory, and evolution of European higher education institutions, bridging the historical reconstruction of university origins with future avenues in academic research. Through a wide range of scholarly contributions, the text examines key critical aspects of academic life across the centuries—ranging from documentary and artistic heritage to institutional transformations, knowledge circulation, and the complex social and political dynamics affecting higher education. Ultimately, the book underscores that university history is not merely a nostalgic celebration of the past, but an essential critical tool for understanding the cultural, civic, and structural challenges of the contemporary university.