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What do you teach at Ca’ Foscari? What are your main research interests? 
I was a student at the Ghislieri College in Pavia, where I studied languages. After a PhD in Germanic Philology and Linguistics, I spent a period of specialisation abroad where I (also) developed digital skills. I was a member of the AIFG (Italian Society for Germanic Philology) board for six years and am now President of AIUCD (Association for Digital Humanities and Culture). I mainly publish on digital philology, historical linguistics and translation studies. I have edited or co-edited several digital publications and archives projects; I am part of an international network of digital stemmatology and have recently extended my interests to the digitisation of cultural heritage. After two years as a university researcher, I became an associate professor and, in 2017, a full professor.

What is the aspect of your research you are most passionate about?
Both digital philology and historical linguistics.

What does teaching and researching mean to you?
It is a fundamental part of my life. Research should make it possible to leave a better world for future generations.

What has given you the greatest satisfaction in your career?
Scientific awards are nice, but the greatest satisfactions have been the human ones (for instance, being approached by the younger brother of the great scholar Laura Mancinelli after reading one of my essays on his sister).

The area you have always wanted to be involved in but have not yet had the opportunity to explore?
I would like to expand my knowledge of artificial intelligence.

What would you say to young people starting their university career?
Find your motivation to study within you.

And to those approaching research today?
I would advise them to be passionate, think freely and trust science. 

Why Ca’ Foscari and Venice?
Because it is home to a prestigious legacy of philological studies.