Dr. Vai brings an impressive international background, having held esteemed positions at the Centre for Renaissance and Early Modern Studies at the University of York, the University of Turin, and the University of Cambridge. She has also worked with the Centre d’études supérieures de la Renaissance de Tours, the Harvard Centre for Italian Renaissance Studies at Villa I Tatti, and the University of Oxford, as well as a range of museums throughout Europe. Her exceptional work has earned support from notable fellowships and grants, including those from the British Academy, the Society for Renaissance Studies, the Royal Historical Society, the Renaissance Society of America, and the Kress Foundation.
With research that lies at the vibrant intersection of art history, music, and material culture studies, Dr. Vai focuses on musical instruments, soundscapes, and the sensory experiences of Renaissance social life. She is currently crafting an intriguing book titled Fantastic Musical Instruments of the Global Renaissance.
In the past year, Dr. Vai has made significant strides, leading two major research projects funded by the EU Commission and UKRI. She has also recently received a SIF Innovation Fund at the University of Oxford, collaborating with Professor David De Roure at DiSc to explore how digital humanities tools can transform museum research and conservation.