Philosophy Degree (Diploma) at the Department of Philosophy and Epistemology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 1992-1997. MSc in History of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Manchester, 1999-2000. PhD, University of Manchester, 2000-2003. Thesis title: “Use, Refuse or Lock Them Up? A history of Italian Academic Refugees in Britain, 1930-1950”.
What is science? Rather than been just the dispassionate search for the laws of nature it is also a mode of relation in contemporary society and within developed countries something that has been pursued with massive investments. Today’s “big science” means influence and power. In my research I look in particular at how this influence and power filters through the relations between nations thus making ‘science’ a conduit for international affairs. Through my research I have explored these dimensions in two ways: firstly, the use of science in general, and international collaborative projects more specifically, as a means to strengthen bi-lateral and multi-lateral relations; secondly, the use of science as a practical tool to acquire information on other countries, their development and capability – in a sense as a support for intelligence-gathering.
