Outreach (or Knowledge Valorisation) is one of the core mandates of Italian universities. It aims to enhance the value of teaching and research outputs through engagement with the socio-economic context and the transfer of knowledge to benefit local communities and promote their social and cultural development.
It is called “Outreach” because it complements the universities’ two traditional institutional functions: teaching and research.
Its activities, mainly aimed at the local community, schools, institutions and businesses—are usually grouped into two main categories: research valorisation and the production of public goods.
Typical examples of Outreach activities are: scientific and cultural dissemination, external initiatives related to one’s research field (such as managing museums, organizing conferences, cultural or educational events) and consulting services.
Director’s Delegates for the coordination of Third Mission activities are Link identifier #identifier__40238-1Serena Ammirati and Link identifier #identifier__78207-2Paolo Carusi
Strategic Objectives of the Department’s Outreach
ANVUR (the Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes) outlines Outreach across five thematic areas, further divided into 25 fields of action.
The strategic objectives of the Department of Humanities (Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici) focus on the areas of Public engagement, environmental sustainability, social inclusion and the fight against inequalities. Key themes and activities include: scientific dissemination and communication, lifelong learning and continuing education, international cooperation projects, civic involvement and public participation,enhancement of cultural heritage. An essential part of these activities involves partnerships with schools, particularly through educational and training initiatives, including career guidance and school-work transition programs (PCTO).
The Department’s long-term objectives for the Third Mission are outlined in the Link identifier #identifier__75970-52024-2026 Three-Year Strategic Planning Document
Given the large number of initiatives promoted by our Department, we list below a selection of representative ongoing or completed activities:
Department’s Outreach activities
