Georgetown University in Washington recently welcomed Ca' Foscari graduate Luca Barison, who is now a PhD student in environmental history, the flagship discipline of this prestigious U.S. university. Barison’s academic journey, which started at Ca' Foscari, combines a love for history with a focus on environmental issues, culminating in notable accomplishments: on December 18, he received the Giuseppe Del Torre Prize [ITA], an honour bestowed by the Department of Humanities for the best Master's degree theses in History.
For Luca, the choice to enrol at Ca' Foscari was a natural one. ‘I really like Venice and I wanted to study history in a place where history was made,’ says the alumnus, who was attracted to the city's unique atmosphere from the start of his academic career.
Barison completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in History, concentrating on the period from the Middle Ages to the contemporary age. His Master's thesis, supervised by Professor Anna Maria Rapetti, examined the impact of the 1066 Norman conquest on the English landscape.
Thanks to the interdisciplinary approach of the courses, the young historian approached the study of the environment in the past and the influence that nature and environmental change have had on society over the centuries. ‘During my time at Ca‘ Foscari, I began by taking an interest in monastic history, but later I shifted towards Environmental History, a discipline that views the environment as an active agent of history, one that influences humanity's actions rather than serving as a mere backdrop.’
After completing his master's degree, Luca received a scholarship that allowed him to spend six months at the Istituto Italiano di Studi Storici in Naples. However, he chose to pause this opportunity to take on a new adventure in the United States, where he applied for a PhD in environmental history at Georgetown University. This institution boasts some of the foremost experts in the field, including John McNeill, Dagomar DeGroot, and Timothy Newfield. ‘Georgetown stands as the global hub for environmental history and is the only university offering a PhD solely focused on this discipline,’ Barison explains.
At Georgetown, he is developing an innovative interdisciplinary research project that combines historical studies with scientific disciplines, and he is currently working on a comparative research project examining the impact of the Norman conquests in Italy and England, particularly the differences in forest management. ‘The first two years at Georgetown have been incredibly demanding, akin to a second master's degree. My days are packed with study and work, yet there's still time to enjoy moments with colleagues on campus. One skill I needed to develop, given the volume of reading, was the ability to 'gut a book,’ a practice that is not as typical in Italy.
Luca has had clear ideas about his future from an early age. ‘I always wanted to be a historian or a history professor; I never considered other paths. Washington, however, is a peculiar America, somewhat “European”. It is difficult for me to tell whether I will want to remain in the United States, but I realise that teaching in Italy is quite complex at the moment. I would certainly like to maintain an international network of contacts, as I am already trying to do.’
Despite being far from Venice now, our alumnus does not forget the significance of Ca' Foscari in his education. ‘The strengths of History degrees at Ca' Foscari are undoubtedly the excellent faculty, the engaging and enriching courses, and the opportunity to study in Venice, which enables you to experience first-hand what you learn in the classroom. Furthermore, and this is crucial, Ca' Foscari is open to contemporary topics such as Public History and Digital History.’
Finally, we conclude with three pieces of advice for those wishing to embark on an international academic journey. “The first is to recognise that nobody knows everything; one must always remain open to learning. The second is to step out of your comfort zone: do not let the fear of trying new things deny you the opportunity for unique experiences. The third is to never forget your roots, as they help you gain perspective on your journey and appreciate how far you have come.”
