History students had the chance to attend a lecture at Birkbeck University to enrich their understanding of a key moment in modern European history, supporting their coursework on the Unification of Italy.

The lecture was led by Dr Joseph John Viscomi, a senior lecturer in Birkbeck's School of Historical Studies who is an expert in Mediterranean migration from the 18th century to the present. His insightful lecture focused on the Italian Risorgimento, a 19th-century movement that aimed to unify the fragmented Italian Peninsula a region of numerous independent states, some under foreign rule, into a single nation state. Dr. Viscomi challenged the romanticised view of the Risorgimento, exploring the complexities of unification and arguing that it was not a seamless or universally positive experience.

Students found the lecture particularly useful in understanding the role that Garibaldi played in Italian unification, both as a historical actor and in what he symbolised. Tiffany, Year 12, said "I found the lecture extremely helpful in both solidifying and deepening my knowledge around the Risorgimento, particularly the lecturer’s awareness of how historical events can be told from various perspectives."

Dr Viscomi noted the students' curiosity and the quality of the questions they posed at the end of the lecture, highlighting their critical thinking skills when it came to analysing key texts and images.

Students complete coursework on the Italian Risorgimento as part of their first year of History A-level, and must analyse these events with regards to what was happening in the Italian peninsula and the wider European political context. Dr Viscomi's lecture was a fantastic way for students to deepen their understanding of this period and apply it to their Year 12 course.