Temporary Exhibitions for the SDGs: Activating University Archival Collections at Politecnico di Milano

This contribution explores the role of temporary exhibitions in connecting university heritage, research, and contemporary society. Drawing on exhibition projects developed at Politecnico di Milano, it identifies five interconnected thematic approaches through which archival collections and academic knowledge are reinterpreted and shared with broader audiences. The paper argues that temporariness is not a limitation but a resource, allowing exhibitions to remain flexible, incorporate new research, and respond to contemporary challenges. In this perspective, exhibition design becomes both a means of communicating and producing knowledge, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals through education, cultural heritage enhancement, and public engagement.