He became professor of modern history in the University of Milan in 1974 and full professor of contemporary history in 1976. He was dean of the Humanities school from 1986 to 1997, deputy rector from 1997 to 2001, and rector from 2001 to 2012. He was vice president (2004) and then president (2008–2011) of the Conferenza dei rettori delle università italiane.