Given the strong engagement in the previous edition, the RiVe Study Centre of the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is once again organising the RiVe Workshops for 2026-2027, a series of sessions dedicated to the presentation and discussion of ongoing research into the visual culture of the Venetian Renaissance.

The Workshops aim to offer young scholars a space for open exchange, in which to test hypotheses, materials and research tools through dialogue with specialists and researchers from diverse academic backgrounds.

The 2026–2027 edition will focus in particular on the ways in which sources, tools and approaches shape interpretation.

The call invites submissions of research projects which, in addition to clearly defining their subject matter and main critical issues, highlight the processes through which the investigation takes shape: the selection and construction of documentary corpora and sources, iconographic taxonomy, the tools employed and interpretative strategies.

With this in mind, research will be welcomed that focuses on:
- works, objects, documents and artistic practices, considered in terms of their processes of production, transmission, use and reception;
- artists, patrons, institutions and other actors in the visual arts, with particular attention to networks of relationships, phenomena of mobility and forms of mediation;
- images and visual practices in religious, civic, social and urban contexts;
- processes of identity construction and negotiation, including issues relating to gender, female agency and representations of the body;
- relations between Venice and other territories, examined through cultural exchanges, circulations, appropriations and comparisons.

Proposals that demonstrate how methodological choices contribute not only to addressing existing questions but also to generating new ones or critically re-examining established issues will be particularly welcomed.

Ongoing research based on unpublished material, new documentary or iconographic corpora, and interdisciplinary perspectives is welcome. The workshop-style nature of the sessions is intended to encourage discussion of hypotheses and unresolved issues, emphasising dialogue as an integral part of the research process.

Proposals, of no more than 350 words (excluding the bibliography), must be accompanied by a brief biographical note (max. 100 words) and a CV of no more than two pages, and sent to riveunive.it by 16 October.

Eligible participants include:
- Master’s degree holders;
- PhD candidates;
- recent PhD graduates (who completed their PhD no more than 5 years ago).

Selected presentations must not exceed 30 minutes and will be followed by an in-depth discussion moderated by a scholar who may be proposed by the presenter in agreement with the RiVe Scientific Committee.

Proposals may be submitted in Italian, English, French or Spanish, but the preferred language for the presentation will be Italian. The discussion, however, may take place in the language of the scholar’s choice.

The RiVe Workshops will take place in person and/or online from January to May; the final schedule and details of how the Workshop will be conducted (in-person and/or remote participation) will be communicated to participants by mid-November.
No reimbursement will be provided for travel or accommodation expenses.

For further information: riveunive.it
Website: https://www.unive.it/web/it/21163/ricerca-e-didattica#c246731