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Umberto Eco was a renowned Professor of Semiotics at the University of Bologna and founder of Communication Science studies in Italy. Born in Alessandria (1932), he pursued classical studies before earning his philosophy degree from Turin University (1954). His academic career spanned Turin, Milan, and Florence universities, where he explored semiotics, media studies, and medieval aesthetics. He pioneered interdisciplinary approaches, blending literary criticism with contemporary cultural analysis. Eco's work in publishing (Bompiani, 1959–1975) and media (RAI, L'Espresso) shaped Italian intellectual discourse. The University of Bologna honored him with its highest accolades for his transformative contributions to academia and semiotic theory. Educations: Classical High School in Alessandria Laurea in Literature and Philosophy, University of Turin (1954) His research integrated medieval scholasticism with modern semiotics, analyzing mass media's societal impact through works like Apocalittici e integrati (1964) and the La bustina di Minerva column (1985–2016). Key themes included countercultural movements, communication theory, and the philosophy of aesthetics. His lectures and publications, such as Il costume di casa (1973), became foundational texts for understanding 20th-century intellectual trends. Though no specific scientific awards are listed, his academic legacy was celebrated through institutional recognitions from the University of Bologna. His advisory roles and editorial work fostered avant-garde movements like Gruppo 63, challenging 1950s literary norms. Eco's intellectual reach extended to founding the Scuola Superiore di Studi Umanistici, cementing his role as a pivotal figure in humanistic education.

• Semiotics
• Medieval Studies
• Communication Science
• +3 more

Prof. Tiziana Lippiello is a Full Professor and Rector at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, leading the Department of Asian and North African Studies. Her academic career focuses on Chinese literature, ancient civilizations, and Confucian thought. She oversees the university's strategic direction as Rector while maintaining active research in East Asian history, religious practices, and intercultural dialogue. Her work bridges classical Chinese texts with modern interpretations, emphasizing themes like divination, governance, and Jesuit influence in cross-cultural exchanges. Key publications include studies on Prospero Intorcetta’s Latin translations of Confucian texts and analyses of ancient longevity practices. She has edited volumes on Chinese literature and merchant culture, contributing significantly to scholarly discourse on Sinology and early modern history.

• Chinese Literature
• Ancient Civilizations
• Confucian Thought
• +5 more

Paolo Sellari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Sapienza University of Rome, where he contributes significantly to research and teaching in political and economic geography, geopolitics, and infrastructure security. He is affiliated with the research group Geopolitics of the Sea and plays a key role in the Master in Geopolitics and Global Security , contributing to curriculum development and academic supervision. Department: Department of Political Science University: Sapienza University of Rome Email: paolo.sellari@uniroma1.it His research interests span a broad yet interconnected spectrum, including maritime geopolitics, Mediterranean and Arctic strategic dynamics, Chinese foreign policy (especially the Belt and Road Initiative), infrastructure as instruments of power, and the geopolitics of climate change. He also explores unconventional intersections such as sports and geopolitics. His scholarly work emphasizes spatial dimensions of power, resilience, and connectivity in a rapidly transforming global order. The analysis of his recent publications (2023–2025) reveals a strong thematic consistency focused on maritime routes, infrastructure security, and the evolving geopolitical roles of the Mediterranean and Arctic regions. His work frequently addresses the interplay between physical geography and power projection, with a particular interest in how climate change, technological evolution, and strategic investments reshape global and regional orders. He contributes to both academic journals and reference works, including the Italian Encyclopedia. While specific scientific awards are not listed in the provided texts, his consistent publication record in reputable venues and leadership in advanced academic programs suggest recognition within the academic community. Sellari advises students through the Master in Geopolitics and Global Security and is involved in organizing seminars and educational content. Although no direct mention of grants is made, his editorial roles and institutional leadership imply active engagement in academic projects and collaborations. He supervises thesis work and contributes to academic discourse through prefaces, introductions, and editorial reviews. He is a core member of the Geopolitics of the Sea research group, which focuses on maritime spatial dynamics, naval security, and the geopolitical implications of oceanic infrastructure and climate change. This group serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting geography, political science, and security studies.

• Geopolitics
• Political Geography
• Economic Geography
• +12 more

Evgeny Dobrenko is a Full Professor at the Department of Linguistics and Comparative Cultural Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. His research focuses on Soviet and Stalinist cultural history, with a particular emphasis on Socialist Realism, multinational literature, and the aesthetics of political regimes. He has held editorial roles in over 20 international journals, including Slavic Literatures and Novoe Literaturnoe Obozrenie . His recent work explores the cultural dynamics of Stalinism, the Soviet literary canon, and the global reception of Eastern European literature. Dobrenko is fluent in Russian and English and has contributed to editorial boards worldwide. His research projects include Aesthetics of Stalinism and Literary Pax Sovietica , examining Soviet cultural imperialism and the institutionalization of literature. He has published extensively on topics such as late Stalinist cinema, Soviet literary policy, and the historiography of socialist realism. His 2020 monograph Late Stalinism: The Aesthetics of Politics analyzes the interplay between cultural production and political power in the Soviet Union. Prof. Dobrenko actively participates in international peer-review panels for institutions like the European Research Council and the British Academy. His work bridges Slavic studies with comparative cultural frameworks, offering critical insights into the intersections of literature, power, and ideology in 20th-century Eastern Europe.

• Soviet Literature
• Stalinist Aesthetics
• Socialist Realism
• +5 more

Lucia Avallone is an Associate Professor at the University of Bergamo, teaching Arabic language and literature. She holds a PhD in 'Near Eastern and Maghreb Studies. Cultural Specificities and Intercultural Relations' from the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' (2011) and graduated from the University of Turin (1989). National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor in Cultures of the Ancient Near East, Middle East, and Africa (2024-2035) Member of AIMA (International Association for the Study of Middle and Mixed Arabic) Advisor for Master's Degree in Modern Languages for International Communication and Cooperation (LM-38) Member of PhD programs in Philological and Linguistic Studies (Bergamo) and Linguistic Sciences (Bergamo-Pavia) Her research focuses on modern and contemporary Arabic language and literature , especially linguistic variation , code switching between standard and vernacular Arabic , and Arabic-European language contact . She analyzes political discourse and develops methodologies for Arabic language teaching, with particular attention to dialect-standard dynamics in literary and pedagogical contexts. Recent publications examine: Linguistic creativity in contemporary Egyptian fiction Sociolinguistic aspects of modern Arabic narratives Translation challenges between Arabic dialects and Standard Arabic Historical connections between Arabic and Mediterranean cultures She supervises master's theses and participates in doctoral committees, emphasizing: Intercultural communication Postcolonial Arabic literature Language pedagogy innovations

• Arabic Language
• Arabic Literature
• Linguistic Variation
• +3 more

Walaa ALQAISIYA is a Research Fellow at the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage within Ca' Foscari University of Venice . Her work focuses on the intersections of decolonial politics, queer theory, and Palestinian resistance against settler colonialism. Her research explores: Decolonial queering as a political praxis Anti-imperialist feminism in Middle Eastern contexts Ethnographic studies of Palestinian grassroots movements Artistic expressions of queer identity Recent publications examine: Epistemic sovereignty in Palestinian academic discourse Queer aesthetics and decolonial self-determination Gendered dimensions of Zionist sovereignty Indigenous women's decolonial narratives Her 2023 monograph Decolonial Queering in Palestine (Routledge) provides an in-depth analysis of queer activism and artistic production in Palestine, drawing on fieldwork with alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity.

• Decolonial Studies
• Queer Theory
• Palestinian Politics
• +4 more

Ivan Franceschini is a Research Fellow at the Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and a Postdoctoral Fellow at The Australian National University's Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. His work focuses on Chinese labor movements, civil society, and political transformations. University: Ca' Foscari University of Venice Department: Department of Asian and North African Studies Email: ivan.franceschini@unive.it Franceschini's research spans labor activism, NGO strategies, and historical narratives in China. His publications in journals like The China Quarterly and Pacific Affairs analyze state-labor relations, digital activism, and garment industry exploitation. He co-edits the Made in China Journal , exploring labor and civil society dynamics. Key article trends include comparative labor studies across China and Cambodia, legal mobilization by workers, and historical reinterpretations such as the Taiping Rebellion. His 2019 work on collective bargaining and 2018 comparative analysis of garment workers highlight systemic labor challenges.

• Chinese Labor Movements
• Civil Society in China
• Labor Rights
• +3 more

Patrick HEINRICH is a Full Professor in the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice , where he has served since 2014, advancing to Full Professor in 2021. His academic journey includes positions in Germany, Japan, and Italy, with significant contributions to sociolinguistics, endangered languages, and language policy. He holds a Dr. phil in Japanese Studies from Gerhard-Mercator-University Duisburg (2002) and completed his habilitation at Duisburg-Essen University (2005). Research Interests: His work spans sociolinguistics , linguistic ideology , endangered languages (especially Ryukyuan languages), urban communication , and language revitalization . He has pioneered the concept of welfare linguistics , emphasizing language use as a contributor to human well-being. His research integrates historical, political, and ecological perspectives on language. Publication Trends: His recent articles (2023–2025) reflect a strong focus on decolonizing methodologies , language reclamation , and urban linguistic landscapes . He frequently publishes in international handbooks and journals, contributing to debates on identity, ideology, and language policy in Japan and beyond. His editorial leadership in volumes on Arabic sociolinguistics and Japanese communication ideologies underscores his global scholarly impact. Scientific Awards: Honorary President, Ryukyuan Heritage Language Society (2020) Honorary member, Foundation for Endangered Languages (2014) Tokugawa Award, Japanese Association for Sociolinguistic Sciences (2010) Best Dissertation of the Year, Duisburg University Society (2002) Advising, Grants, and Collaboration: While specific students are not listed, he actively mentors research and collaborates globally. He has received fellowships from DAAD, JSPS, and Erasmus, and has been a visiting professor at institutions including Toulouse Jean-Jaurès, Duisburg-Essen, and the University of Lapland. His editorial roles in journals such as East Asian Pragmatics , Contemporary Japan , and Current Issues in Language Planning highlight his leadership in the field. Labs and Teams: Although no formal lab is mentioned, he leads research networks focused on language revitalization, urban sociolinguistics, and welfare linguistics. His projects often involve international collaboration, including co-edited volumes and joint publications with scholars across Europe, Asia, and beyond.

• Sociolinguistics
• Endangered Languages
• Linguistic Ideology
• +12 more

Maiko Favaro is a Type B Researcher at Sapienza University of Rome's Department of Modern Literature and Culture, having joined in August 2022 through the 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Young Researcher Program. Previously, she served as Assistant of Italian Literature at Université de Fribourg from 2017 to 2022 and held prestigious fellowships including a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship at Freie Universität Berlin. Her academic journey began with a Perfezionamento in Literary and Philological Disciplines from Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa (2014), preceded by a Laurea Specialistica in Italian Language and Literature from Università di Pisa (2007), where she graduated with highest honors. Her educational path also included research periods at Harvard University, École Normale Supérieure in Paris and Lyon, and Université de Fribourg. Favaro's research focuses on Italian Renaissance literature with particular emphasis on heroic virtue in Renaissance literature, Petrarchism, and the reception of Dante. Her work explores the intersections between philosophical thought, literary representation, and cultural context in sixteenth and seventeenth century Italy. She has made significant contributions to understanding the representation of heroes in Renaissance epic, the topos of lovers' separation, and the role of women in Renaissance dialogues. Her publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly productivity across multiple formats including monographs, edited volumes, and journal articles. Recent work shows increasing focus on Torquato Tasso's prose works, Renaissance philosophical dialogues, and the Friulian literary tradition. Her scholarship often bridges literary analysis with intellectual history and philosophical inquiry. Premio Tasso 2016 for her article on heroic virtue Canadian Society for Italian Studies Award 2011 Premio di laurea from Società Filologica Friulana Favaro has secured significant research funding including the competitive 'Rita Levi Montalcini' fellowship, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, and an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (which she declined). She serves on multiple editorial boards including 'Letteratura cavalleresca italiana' and 'Rivista di letteratura tardogotica e quattrocentesca', and has organized international conferences on Renaissance literature. Her current research continues to explore heroic virtue in Italian Renaissance literature while expanding into Friulian literary traditions and Dante reception.

• Italian Renaissance Literature
• Heroic Virtue in Renaissance Literature
• Petrarchism
• +4 more

Albena Kostadinova Yaneva is a Full Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. Her academic work bridges Political and Social Sciences with Architecture , focusing on the Sociology of Environment and Territory . She teaches courses such as Academic Writing: 5 Exercises in Style , Innovation Studies , and Architecture, Society and Territory A . Research Areas : Sociological analysis of architectural practices, digital technologies in design, actor-network theory applications, and material culture. Teaching Roles : Course Instructor for PhD and Master's programs, emphasizing critical design, environmental sustainability, and urban sociology. Her recent publications explore themes like the impact of Zoom technologies on architectural collaboration, performative school buildings, and the role of models in design processes. Collaborative works include studies on graphene research labs and the interplay between science and urban development. She supervises PhD student Rayna Elena Razmilic Triantafilo, whose research focuses on architectural discourse platforms. Though no scientific awards are explicitly listed, her work engages with interdisciplinary methodologies, blending architectural anthropology and digital humanities to analyze contemporary design challenges.

• Sociology of Environment and Territory
• Architectural Anthropology
• Digital Architecture
• +3 more

Enrico Maria Ariemma is an Associate Professor at the Department of Humanities (DIPSUM) of the University of Salerno. He specializes in Latin literature with particular focus on Latin epic poetry , Flavian literature , and classical reception studies , working extensively on authors like Silius Italicus, Seneca, and Catullus. His research often explores military narratives , intertextuality , and ethical concepts in antiquity . His academic work features in publications such as Brill's Companion to Silius Italicus , and Lexis , with recent contributions on topics like "Tra vino e fuoco" (2023) analyzing mythological topos in Silius' Punica , and "Contare i baci" (2022) examining Catullus' intersection with mathematical thinking. He has also contributed to conference proceedings on epic-historical synthesis and war representation in Senecan tragedy . Ariemma participates in international academic networks, including co-organizing the 2019 "Ritorno al futuro" conference on Silius Italicus. He maintains an active research agenda with publications in Humanitas , Thaumazein , and Pan , while his teaching focuses on Latin language and literature and Latin didactics . His office is located at the University of Salerno’s Fisciano Campus, Building B, Room 027.

• Latin Literature
• Classical Philology
• Reception Studies
• +4 more

Dr. Gianluca Demartini is a leading researcher in Human-in-the-loop AI Systems with significant contributions to Crowdsourcing , Information Retrieval , and Generative AI applications. His work bridges Machine Learning and Human-Computer Interaction , focusing on Bias Management , Fact-Checking , and Ethical AI . Major Affiliations : L3S Research Center, ScienceWISE platform, and collaborations with institutions like University of Queensland and University of Padua Over 15 years, his research has explored Crowdsourcing Quality Control (Mechanical Cheat 2012), Entity Ranking (2008-2013), and Semantic Search . Recent work (2024-2026) focuses on Generative AI Impacts in domains like Media Literacy , Data Curation , and Visual Analytics . Scientific Recognition : Best Paper Award (Top 1.4%) at ICTIR 2023 Best Short Paper Award (Top 0.6%) at ECIR 2020 Honorable Mention (Top 2%) at CSCW 2020 Best Demo Award at ISWC 2011 3rd Best Paper at LA-WEB 2008 His 15 most recent publications (2024-2026) demonstrate expertise in LLM-based Content Moderation , Immersive Data Visualization , and Trustworthy AI Systems . He has pioneered methods for Bias Detection in Wikipedia (2013), Entity Ranking (2008-2013), and Human-AI Collaboration frameworks. His work consistently addresses ethical challenges in AI for Social Good and Responsible Data Science .

• Information Retrieval
• Crowdsourcing
• Human-in-the-loop AI
• +5 more

Michaela Valente is an Associate Professor in Early Modern History at the Department of Political Science, Sapienza University of Rome , where she has taught since 2021. Previously, she was Associate Professor at the University of Molise (2005-2021) after postdoctoral work at Salerno. Her research focuses on witchcraft, inquisition practices, religious migrations, and historiographical debates in Early Modern Europe. Her scholarship explores the demonological discourse through works like Charles V (2013) and co-edited volumes on the Roman Inquisition. She has contributed to international research projects including COST Action PIMo (2019-2023) on Mediterranean displacements and PRIN initiatives on Renaissance philosophy. Recent publications analyze transnational religious refugees ( Religious Refugees in the Early Modern World , 2023), gender in exile (2024), and witchcraft's intellectual legacy . Her teaching includes Modern History and Migration History courses, with exam texts emphasizing primary sources and critical historiography. Scientific Awards : Anna Maria Battista Fellowship Fondazione Luigi Firpo Fellow (2000) University of Rome Research Fellow (2001-2003)

• Early Modern European History
• Demonology
• Roman Inquisition
• +4 more

Maria Amalia Barchiesi is an Associate Professor in Spanish Language and Translation (L-LIN/07) at the University of Macerata's Department of Humanistic Studies. She holds a European Doctorate in Information and Communication Theory (2004) and has been a researcher and academic in Hispanic Studies since 1993. Her research focuses on semiotics of Hispanic American literature, cultural imaginaries, translation theory, and political discourse analysis. She has authored monographs like Borges y Cortázar lo fantástico bilingüe (2009) and edited volumes such as Arti in traduzione. Semiotica Linguistica Antropologia (2023). She currently leads research in transmediality in Panhispanic poetry within a PRIN 2022 project. Education: Licentiate in Letters with Linguistics focus from Buenos Aires University (Argentina) European Doctorate in Information and Communication Theory (University of Macerata) Research Interests: Semiotics of narrative and cultural imaginaries in Hispanic America Translation studies (interlinguistic and intersemiotic) Analysis of political, advertising, and museum discourses Landscape aesthetics in literature Postmodern rhetoric in Zapatista discourses Recent Scholarly Contributions: Her 2025 works explore Borges' translation paradoxes and Cortázar's museum imagery. Recent projects analyze transmedial poetic forms and post-dictatorship testimonial theatre. She contributes to editorial boards of Heteroglossia and Lingue e Linguaggi . Awards: National Scientific Qualification as Full Professor (2020) Academic Service: Director of Spanish Language and Civilization courses Member of PhD boards in Information Theory and Humanities Chair of the Language Mediation Program admissions committee

• Semiotics of Hispanic American Literature
• Cultural Imaginaries
• Translation Theory
• +5 more

Lucy Amelia Jane Bell is a Research Fellow at Sapienza University of Rome's Department of European, American and Intercultural Studies. Previously, she served as a Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Languages and Cultures at the University of Surrey (2013–2022). Her work bridges literary analysis, social theory, and activist practices. University of Cambridge BA (2008), MPhil (2009), PhD (2013) Her research focuses on Latin American literature and culture as instruments for social transformation. Key areas include cartonera publishing , prison reform , waste studies , and decolonial theory . She collaborates across disciplines with social anthropologists in marginalized communities. Recent publications explore intersections of necropolitics , environmental justice , and gender resistance , with a focus on Mexico and Brazil. Her 2022 book Taking Form, Making Worlds won the LASA Book Prize and pioneered trans-formal methodologies combining literary analysis with action research. Grants: AHRC, Global Challenges Research Fund, BBC Arts, Secretaría de la Cultura (Mexico) Projects: 'Cartonera Publishing' (2017–2020), 'Prisoner Publishing' (2020–2022)

• Latin American Literature
• Cultural Studies
• Social Transformation
• +7 more