When the botanists, geologists, and earth scientists had first pursued their scientific journeys, and the philosophers and humanities scholars pondered the political and social structures of man Giambattista Brocchi became the reference point for both courses of study. Giambattista Brocchi studied jurisprudence at the University of Padua before pursuing natural history disciplines in the University’s Botanical Gardens, where he formed his first technical and scientific approach. Brocchi left Europe and dedicated his geology studies to Egypt, Syria, and Sudan in 1822.

Traces of his education and scientific activities remain at the University of Padua. The Conference on Paduan Scholars represents an opportunity to share Brocchi’s findings, documents, and materials found amongst his scholastic memoirs with others.

Coordinated by Professor Francesco Berti, the conference is part of the Dall’Oltremare al Sud Globale. L’Università di Padova dalla colonizzazione all’azione globale per lo sviluppo (From Overseas to the Global South Series; colonization to global action for development). In collaboration from the SPGI, the Geographic Section of DiSSGeA, and the University of Padua History Centre.