The Italian Diaspora in the UK & Ireland
One of my current research interests concerns the history of Italian immigrants in the UK and Ireland. I have focused primarily on the years since 1945 and am particularly interested in immigrant experiences of healthcare and wellbeing.
Funded projects
Growing up Italian in Bedford (2023)
A project funded by Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zones Cultural Programme and Bedford Borough Council. In September 2023, in collaboration with The Higgins, Bedford, I led a Reminiscence Session [flyer] which brought together Bedfordians with Italian heritage to share their memories. Thanks to funding from Memoria UK, a highlights video was developed and can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVHXnn8jbpU&t=583s I also organised interactive craft workshops for children which celebrated Bedford’s Italian connections and reimagined Bedford’s High Street using inspiration from Italian Renaissance architecture. [pictures]
Exploring the health and wellbeing of Italian migrants in Britain today (2025)
A project funded by the Centre for Health Humanities at University College London. This one-day workshop in December 2025 brought together academics, psychologists and representatives from charitable organisations and community groups to discuss the specific health-related challenges faced by Italians in Britain today. Please see the full event programme here https://www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of-advanced-studies/events/2025/dec/exploring-health-and-wellbeing-italian-migrants-britain-today