La divulgazione scientifica tra settecento e ottocento

The paper recaps some crucial shifts in the modes of communication between science and society between XVIII and XIX Century, with particular emphasis on the constitution of National Museums. For the XVIII Century, the focus is on Buffon's Natural History, because of its pivotal role in the dissemination of science as well as in the constitution of a shared scientific imagery through an innovative use of images. The reasons underlying the XX Century crisis in the relationship between science and society are then briefly outlined, together with the major recent attempts at overcoming their divide, from the Public Understanding of Science to the Public Engagement with Science and Technology. Finally, a reflection is offered on the possible present role of museums as places for integrating virtual and physical communities.