About the CISR

HISTORY

1993 - 2009

In June 1993, the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (LILEC) of the University of Bologna formally approved the establishment of an Interdisciplinary Research and Documentation Centre on Romanticism, under the direction of Professor Maria Crisafulli. This aimed to consolidate a research area in which scholars and professors from various disciplines had already been working for years. In actual fact, members of the Department had, and have since then, produced a wealth of contributions, as well as promoted many international conferences and seminars, often in collaboration with prestigious international Institutions. These achievements emphasise the centrality that Romantic Studies have attained in national and international contexts, and highlight the critical and methodological vitality still inherent in Romanticism today.

2010 - 2021

In March 2010, the Centre was expanded into the Inter-University Centre for the Study of Romanticism (CISR), which included the Universities of Bologna, Bari, Florence, Parma, Pavia, Rome "La Sapienza" and Valle d'Aosta-Vallée d’Aoste. Formally established in June 2010, the Centre set up its administrative headquarters at the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (LILEC) of the University of Bologna (Via Cartoleria 5, Bologna).

2021 - Current Day

As of 2021 the member Institutions of the CISR are the Universities of Bologna, Bari, Cassino e Lazio Meridionale, Firenze, Parma, Roma "La Sapienza" and Valle d'Aosta-Vallée d’Aoste.

For the scientific and editorial activities of the CISR since 2001 please consult the following website:

https://www.lilec.it/romanticismo/

CISR aims to promote and support scientific research, training and interdisciplinary documentation activities on Romanticism. This research activity is also conducted through an in-depth study of the currents that animated Romanticism and that related, also in conflictual terms, with earlier periods, authors, and movements (classical sources, Renaissance poetics, Shakespearean theatre, neoclassicism, etc.). The Centre intends to promote theoretical, literary, historical, and linguistic-formal investigations. It also uses interdisciplinary tools in order to address the influences that Romanticism exerted on contemporary aesthetics, customs, and cultural movements. In addition to the work of cataloguing research material on Romanticism, the aim of the Centre is the specific analysis of issues of class, gender, social change and historical context. The Centre also aims to encourage the adhesion of researchers from various disciplines and institutions, to encourage initiatives on a local, national and international scale, and to promote both individual specialist research and group projects. Consequently, it aims to: 1) organise study meetings, seminars, conferences on a national and international level on the pre-romantic, romantic and post-romantic age and the various cultural movements related to these; 2) to oversee the publication of studies, journals and conference proceedings promoted by the Centre or organised in collaboration with it, the management of a database relating to these materials, and in general to those concerning Romanticism, and the expansion of the Department's bibliographic holdings in the field; 3) to consolidate and expand a network of collaborations of various kinds between individual researchers, national and international, public and private institutions with similar interests and aims; 4) to encourage study and research exchanges between Italian and foreign universities, as well as exchanges of bibliographic information, sources and other material; 5) to manage a number of national and international research projects, as well as a fund dedicated to the allocation of scholarships for young Italian and foreign researchers; 6) to organise exhibitions, concerts and other artistic and cultural events, including itinerant ones; 7) to promote any other initiative deemed useful to increase studies on Romanticism. All institutions interested in the study of the Romantic era, such as libraries, museums, galleries, publishing houses, foundations and local, national and international institutions, may lend their patronage and/or collaboration to the Centre's activities. The Centre is also open to adhesion from other departments and research institutes of the affiliated universities and other universities. Individual scholars who make a justified request may also join the centre on a personal basis. Adhesion is subject to the favourable opinion of the Centre's Scientific Council.

MISSION

The CISR aims to promote and support scientific research, training and interdisciplinary documentation activities on Romanticism, as well as in-depth study of the currents that animated Romanticism and those elements that related it - sometimes in a conflictual way - with earlier periods, authors, and literary/artistic movements (the Classics, the Renaissance, drama and the Shakespearean theatre, Neoclassicism...).
The Centre intends to promote literary, historical, linguistic, as well as theoretical and interdisciplinary investigations addressing Romantics' influence on contemporary aesthetics, traditions, and cultural movements. In addition to the work of cataloguing research material on Romanticism, the aim of the Centre is the specific analysis of issues of class, gender, social change and historical context. The Centre also encourages the participation of researchers from various disciplines and Institutions, and encourages initiatives on a local, national and international scale, as well as to promote both individual specialist research and group projects. Consequently, it aims to:

1) organise national and international workshops, seminars, conferences on the Pre-Romantic, Romantic and Post-Romantic period and on the various cultural movements related to them;

2) edit and publish its research in journals; promote the publications of the proceedings of the conferences held by or organised in collaborations with the Centre; oversee the management of databases concerning Romanticism, and expand bibliographic holdings in the field.

3) consolidate and expand a collaboration network of individual researchers, and national, international, public and private Institutions with similar interests and aims;

4) to encourage study and research exchanges between Italian and foreign universities, as well as exchanges of bibliographic information, sources and other materials;

5) to manage a number of national and international research projects, as well as a grant scheme for young Italians and foreign researchers;

6) to organise exhibitions, concerts and other artistic and cultural events, including itinerant ones;

7) to promote any other initiative deemed useful to promote the study of Romanticism.

Any Institutions interested in Romantic studies (e.g., libraries, museums, art galleries, publishers, foundations, local and national and international Institutions) may act as sponsors and/or collaborate with the Centre's activities.

University Departments and research institutes of other Universities may apply to become part of the Centre's network. Individual scholars may also join the Centre on a personal basis. Access is subject to the approval of the Steering Committee.