May I Weigh In? Exhibitions to Foster Insight

2023 is the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the University of Milano-Bicocca. In this special year, the new ‘Diffused Museum’ of the University will commence activities. The ‘Diffused Museum’ is a recent institution born to enhance the experience of the collections and foster connections between research, training and third mission, with specific attention to relations with the territory. The Museum collects objects digitally with their meaningful elements kept in different departments. These are communicated both inside to the students and personnel of the University and outside to the different publics; implementing strategies for their enhancement. Among the different initiatives for the 25th celebrations, there are three exhibitions: two of them produced by the Central Library and the third by the Diffused Museum. In a perspective of collaboration between the museum, the library and the archives; the ‘Diffused Museum’ participates in the Library’ s exhibitions (Medici in guerra. Testimonianze della Grande Guerra dagli archivi storici della Bicocca and Mente e storia. La psicologia nelle collezioni storiche della Bicocca) with the design of workshops for interpretation and mediation of the cultural heritage. There has been little experimentation with this new type of provision to date within the university. This means reflecting in depth on content, enhancing the relationship with the contemporary and activating effective strategies and methodologies to be able to stimulate the participation of students and the public. This contribution brings an initial report on the actions carried out and on the results obtained.