Algebraic geometers have renewed their interest in the interplay between algebraic vector bundles and projective embeddings. New methods have been developed for questions such as: what is the geometric content of syzygies and of bundles derived from them? how can they be used for giving good compactifications of natural families? which differential techniques are needed for the study of families of projective varieties? Such problems have often been reformulated over the last decade; often the need for a deeper analysis of the works of classical algebraic geometers was recognised. These questions were addressed at successive conferences held in Trieste and Bergen. New results, work in progress, conjectures and modern accounts of classical ideas were presented. This collection represents a development of the work conducted at the conferences; the Editors have taken the opportunity to mould the papers into a cohesive volume.