Marco Beretta

Marco Beretta is a Full Professor of History of Science at the Department of Philosophy and Communication, University of Bologna. He holds an internationally renowned career with visiting professorships in France, Japan, Sweden, and the US. His research focuses on the history of science and technology, material culture, and museum studies. He has authored 7 monographs, 24 peer-reviewed articles, and edited 17 essay collections. Beretta has led major projects including the Prin 2017 national research initiative and coordinated international collaborations like the Sites of Chemistry 1600-2000 project. He serves as editor of Nuncius journal and co-edits the Nuncius series. His work emphasizes organizing historical sources and enhancing scientific heritage accessibility.

Education:

• PhD in History of Science and Ideas (1994), Uppsala University, Sweden
• BA with honours in History of Science (1986), University of Milan, Italy

Research Interests: Beretta investigates the material and visual dimensions of scientific practice, with special attention to glassmaking, Lavoisier's chemical revolution, and the role of instruments in scientific inquiry. He integrates archival research with museological strategies to preserve and contextualize scientific heritage. His work bridges historical analysis with public engagement through exhibitions and digital platforms.

Key Contributions: As editor of Nuncius since 2005, he has shaped the field's scholarly discourse. He co-curated major exhibitions such as Arts et sciences. Le verre dans l’Empire romain and pioneered digital editions of historical scientific texts. His 2009 monograph The Alchemy of Glass received the Paul-Bunge-Prize. Recent research explores the cultural politics of scientific collections and gendered practices in early modern science.

Grants & Leadership: Current roles include President of the Edizione Nazionale delle Opere di Ulisse Aldrovandi and coordinator of the PhD Programme in Philosophy, Science, Cognition, and Semiotics. He has held leadership positions at the Museo Galileo and the University of Bologna’s OFFISS office. His ERC-funded projects include mentoring early-career researchers who have achieved notable academic success.

Labs/Teams: Beretta collaborates with institutions like the Centre Koyré (Paris), Cornell University, and the Max Planck Institute. He leads interdisciplinary teams in projects such as the Leonardo 1939 conference and the Gendered Touch initiative, fostering global networks in history of science.