Maria Elena Ines Avino

Maria Elena Ines Avino is an Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at the University of Naples "L'Orientale" in the Department of Asia, Africa and Mediterranean. She has held continuous academic positions since 2000, progressing from contract professor to her current role after confirmation as a researcher in 2004 and promotion to Associate Professor.

Her education includes a PhD in Near East and Maghreb Studies (2001), final Arabic language diploma from Damascus (1989), and a degree in Oriental Languages from Naples (1987). Early Arabic studies occurred in Tripoli (1967-1970).

Avino's research focuses on modern Arabic literature, translation studies, and the Nahda movement, with expertise in Arabic travel literature—particularly Moroccan diplomatic missions to Europe—and women's roles in literary production. Her work examines cultural encounters through travelogues and urban transformations in cities like Mecca and Sicily.

Her 15 most recent publications reveal consistent engagement with Arabic literary history, evolving toward urban studies and historical events' impact on intellectual discourse, especially World War I's influence on Arabic periodicals.

Key awards include the Mario Lattes Translation Prize (2020) and recognition from the Saudi Cultural Office (2018). She holds honorary membership in IPO and active roles in SeSaMo, UEAI, and EURAMAL.

Avino has supervised PhD students Caterina Pinto, Antonella Zapparrata, Ada Barbaro, and Chantal Caponetto. Her research projects include "al-Riḥlah al-Sifariyyah" (2017-2020) on Moroccan diplomatic travel narratives and collaborations on Yemeni literature studies.

She participates in the DAAM Doctoral Program at Naples "L'Orientale" and maintains international academic collaborations across the Mediterranean region.