Elias Dinas is a Full-time Professor in the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute (EUI). He holds the Swiss Chair in Federalism, Democracy, and International Governance. His research focuses on political socialization, authoritarian legacies, and research methodology. Dinas earned his PhD in Political Science from the EUI in 2010. His research interests include the impact of historical traumas on political attitudes, experimental methods, and the dynamics of norm change. He collaborates with institutions like the Graduate Institute in Geneva through seminars, conferences, and methodological workshops. Recent work explores topics such as ideology mapping via AI, the electoral effects of early voting experiences, and the interplay between migration crises and public policy. His research has been published in top journals like the American Political Science Review and highlighted in outlets like The New York Times. Received the Michael Wallerstein Award (2019) for his work on migration and hostility. Supervises 14 students researching memory politics, norm change, and intergroup relations. Leads projects on post-authoritarian ideologies, German political identity, and elite-driven norm erosion. His teaching and supervision emphasize causal inference, experimental design, and quantitative methods, reflecting his commitment to rigorous political analysis.
Full Professor Cristina Coppola teaches at the Department of Law, Political and International Studies at the University of Parma . She obtained her Law degree (1999) and PhD in Private Law (2004) before being hired as a University Researcher (2005) and promoted to Associate Professor (2006) and Full Professor (2019). She has served as President of the Master's Degree in Law (2017-2019 and 2020-2023). Her research focuses on Private Law with special attention to Family Law and Succession Law , including topics like inheritance renunciation, testamentary interpretation, and civil unions. She has participated in doctoral examination commissions and served on the editorial board of Famiglia, persone e successioni (2005-2013). Recent publications address contractual assistance obligations, civil union annulment for consent defects, and pre-divorce agreements. She regularly presents at national legal conferences and teaches Civil Law II (Contracts) and Private Law Institutions to Law and Political Science students. Contact: cristina.coppola@unipr.it . Office hours: Tuesdays 11:30-13:30 (in person/Teams) at University Street, 7, Parma (43121).
Gianluca Passarelli is a Full Professor at the Department of Political Science, Sapienza University of Rome. His academic work focuses on Political Science and Comparative Politics , particularly Electoral Systems , Political Parties , and Presidentialization . University: Sapienza University of Rome Department: Department of Political Science Email: gianluca.passarelli@uniroma1.it His research explores preferential voting systems , electoral reform , party transformation , and executive institutional dynamics across Italy, Europe, and the Western Balkans. Recent works analyze the 2020 Italian constitutional referendum , Salvini's League evolution , and democratization processes in the Western Balkans . Key projects include Institutional Settings and Voting Behavior (INSET&VOTE) , Populism and Euroscepticism , and DeDec (Democracy in Decline) . His publications span books like Preferential Voting Systems (Palgrave, 2019) and chapters in major handbooks.
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.
Juha Kasperi Tolvanen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance at Tor Vergata University of Rome. He specializes in applied microeconomics, focusing on the role of information and communication in shaping market structures and political outcomes. His research bridges industrial organization and political economy, examining topics such as information asymmetry in markets and the strategic use of ambiguity by anti-establishment political parties. Dr. Tolvanen holds a PhD from Princeton University (2016). He teaches courses including Game Theory and Industrial Organization, Microeconomics 2, and contributes to graduate programs in Philosophy and Economics. His research combines theoretical frameworks with empirical data from corporate and political contexts. His recent publications explore themes like quantity contracts in decentralized markets, the impact of algorithmic recommendations on strategic behavior, and the empirical analysis of demand using managerial responses to pricing algorithms. He collaborates actively with firms to quantify the economic implications of communication strategies and information flows. Dr. Tolvanen’s work has appeared in leading journals such as the RAND Journal of Economics , Management Science , and American Political Science Review . His research agenda emphasizes bridging theory with real-world applications, particularly in understanding how information dynamics influence economic and political systems.
Guido Samarani is a Senior Researcher at the Department of Asian and North African Studies , Ca' Foscari University of Venice, since 2020. Previously a Professor at the same institution (2000-2020), his work focuses on Chinese history , political transitions , and Italy-China relations . Director, Marco Polo Center for Global Europe-Asia Connections (2018-2021) Guest Professor, Zhejiang University (China) Member of multiple editorial and scientific committees including European Journal of East Asian Studies Research Interests center on: 20th-21st Century Chinese Political History Communist Party of China's Development Cold War Italy-China Interactions Global Historiography of China Publications include monographs on Mao Zedong, Red China, and the 100-year history of the CCP. His works explore the interplay between revolutionary ideology , diplomacy , and historiographical debates . Scientific Recognition : Honorary Member, Italian Association of Chinese Studies (2022-) Active in conference organization , he chaired panels on Eurasian geopolitics, Belt and Road Initiative, and comparative studies of Italian and German interactions in China. His editorial roles span journals like Mondo Cinese and Sinica Venetiana .
Alain Lempereur is the EUI Chair in Leadership and Negotiation at the Florence School of Transnational Governance , with a focus on responsible negotiation and mediation frameworks. As a tenured professor at Brandeis University (Alan B. Slifka Chair in Conflict Resolution), he bridges academic theory with field practice across 75+ countries. Harvard Law School affiliate faculty since 1993 Co-founder of Co-Dev capacity-building organization Former director of Brandeis Coexistence Program (2011-2021) Research Pillars : Humanitarian negotiation power dynamics, post-conflict reconciliation in Burundi/DRC, and philosophical foundations of negotiation. His work emphasizes joyful mediation , nonverbal emotional perception , and responsible leadership through 20+ books and 150+ articles. Training Impact : Designed executive programs for EU institutions, UN initiatives, and global corporations (Airbus, Sanofi-Pasteur). Pioneered the LEARN hybrid program for senior humanitarian leaders with the Slifka Chair. Awards & Recognition : Chevalier des Tastevins (2019) UN Mediation Roster member Harvard PON affiliate faculty Who's Who (2009, 2010) Global Engagement : Facilitated Israeli-Palestinian dialogues with the Negotiation Strategies Institute. Developed negotiation methodologies for MSF, ICRC, and UNDP. Holds degrees from Harvard (SJD) and Université Libre de Bruxelles (MPhil, LL.M).
Maria Luisa Merolla is an Associate Professor in Contemporary History (M-STO/04) at the Department of Social and Economic Sciences, Faculty of Sociology, Sapienza University of Rome, where she has held a tenured position since October 1, 2015. She previously served as a Confirmed Researcher starting from March 1, 2009, and as a Researcher from March 1, 2006. Her academic journey began with a Doctoral Degree in History of Political Parties and Movements from the University of Urbino 'Carlo Bo' in 2002, following her Political Science degree with honors from the University of Naples 'Federico II' in 1994. Professor Merolla's research focuses on the intersection of cultural history, media studies, and music as historical sources, particularly examining American cultural influence in Italy during the Cold War era. Her work explores how music, radio, and television shaped Italian society and national identity during critical historical periods, including the post-WWII reconstruction, the economic boom years, and the cultural transformations of the 1960s-1980s. She has developed a distinctive approach to using sound as a historical source, pioneering the integration of audio materials into historical research methodology. Her publication record reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory examining the cultural Cold War, American cultural diplomacy through music, and the transformation of Italian society through media. Her most recent work extends into sustainability studies and contemporary global processes, while maintaining her core interest in how music and media shape historical consciousness. Her research has increasingly focused on Bruce Springsteen's cultural impact in Italy, reflecting her innovative approach to using popular music as a lens for historical analysis. GRAMMY Museum Affiliate recognition (2017) for founding and directing the Music Making History research unit Direction of the SPRINGSTEEN AS HISTORY PROJECT (2020-2024) with Sapienza University, The New School, and Monmouth University Winner of the PROGETTO GIOVANI RICERCATORI (2000) for research on political parties and national identity Professor Merolla has directed numerous research projects on topics including American cultural diplomacy in Italy, the role of music in the Cold War, and the historical significance of sound sources. She founded and directs the Music Making History research unit (2015-2024) and has served as Erasmus coordinator for multiple European universities. Her international collaborations include work with institutions in France, Spain, Portugal, and the United States, reflecting her transnational approach to historical research. As founder and director of the Music Making History research unit, Merolla has established a significant scholarly ecosystem focused on using sound sources for historical research. Her collaboration with the GRAMMY Museum and the Bruce Springsteen Archives has created unique opportunities for integrating popular music archives into academic historical research, establishing Sapienza University as a leading center for innovative historical methodology that bridges academic research and cultural institutions.
Emanuele Bracco is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Verona since 2018, previously serving as Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Warwick and an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics. His research focuses on Political Economy, particularly fiscal federalism, immigration, and social capital. He is affiliated with the Department of Economics and contributes to research initiatives at the VELE (Verona Experimental Lab in Economics) and Visual Research Lab . **Education**: PhD in Economics, University of Warwick MSc in Economics, London School of Economics **Research Interests**: Political Economy: fiscal federalism, electoral systems, and institutional accountability Public Economics: taxation, shadow economy, and intergovernmental relations Immigration Policy: migration dynamics, social capital, and policy spillovers **Teaching**: Bracco teaches advanced courses in Industrial Economics, Monetary Economics, and Political Economy at the undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels. He has contributed to programs across Business Administration, Banking and Finance, and Economics and Finance PhD programs since 2018. **Committees & Roles**: He serves on the Faculty Board of PhD in Economics and Finance , Commissione Seminari , and other academic governance bodies. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration through centers like CRIEP (Interdepartmental Research Center on Public Economics) .
Thomas Le Barbanchon is a Full Professor of Economics at Bocconi University since 2025 and holds the Rodolfo Debenedetti Chair in Labor Economics. He received his PhD from Ecole Polytechnique (CREST-ENSAE) in 2012 and has been affiliated with institutions like CEPR, CREST, J-PAL, LEAP, BIDSA, IGIER, IZA, and IFS. His research focuses on labor economics, particularly job search mechanisms, unemployment insurance effects, gender disparities, and labor market policy evaluation. Educational background: PhD in Economics (Ecole Polytechnique), MSc in Economics (Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Diplôme d'ingénieur statisticien-économiste (ENSAE), and Diplôme d'ingénieur (Ecole Polytechnique) Research highlights include: Quantifying the impact of unemployment insurance reforms in France Analyzing gender differences in job search behavior Studying the effectiveness of hiring credits during economic crises Investigating how traditional AI improves job matching Examining migrant-native job search segregation patterns Scientific contributions appear in top journals like American Economic Journal: Applied Economics , Quarterly Journal of Economics , and Review of Economic Studies . Awards include two ERC grants (2017 & 2024) and the Bocconi Impact Award (2022). He mentors PhD students in economics and labor policy, currently serves as Director of IGIER research center, and maintains active editorial roles at Review of Economic Studies and Journal of the European Economic Association .
Laura Frosina is an Associate Professor of Comparative Public Law (IUS/21) at the Department of Political Science, Sapienza University of Rome. She teaches courses such as States, Autonomies and Separatisms in the Master's program in International Relations and Comparative Public Law in the undergraduate program in International Cooperation and Development. She is a member of the Doctoral Faculty in Public, Comparative, and International Law and actively participates in national and international research projects. PhD in Theory of the State and Comparative Political Institutions, Sapienza University of Rome (2005) Laurea in Political Science (with honors), Sapienza University of Rome (2000) Postgraduate Course in Assembly Consultants, Sapienza University of Rome (2001) Her research centers on comparative constitutional law, with a strong focus on Spain, Italy, and Latin America. Key themes include multilevel governance, European Union institutions, separatism, autonomy, federalism, parliamentary systems, and constitutional reforms. She analyzes political-constitutional crises, emergency powers, and the evolution of democratic institutions in pluralistic societies. Her work frequently examines the interplay between law, politics, and institutions in contexts of territorial tension. The most recent articles highlight a sustained scholarly engagement with Spanish constitutional dynamics, particularly around the Catalan independence movement, coalition governments under Sánchez, judicial-political conflicts, and broader EU institutional challenges. Trends include the analysis of secession referendums, emergency governance during the pandemic, urban constitutionalism, and the transformation of party systems. Her publications appear in specialized journals such as Nomos , Federalismi.it , and Revista de Derecho Constitucional Europeo , as well as in edited volumes from major academic publishers. Member, Editorial Board of Nomos (since 2001) Responsible, Critical Reviews Section, Nomos (since 2014) Member, Editorial Board, Federalismi.it (2006–2010) Member, Editorial Board, Focus America Latina , Federalismi.it (since 2009) Member, Editorial Board, Quaderni di Nomos (since 2012) Member, Editorial Board, Rivista di Diritto pubblico comparato ed europeo (since 2022) Principal Investigator, Cities and Models of Governance in the 21st Century (Sapienza SEED PNR Project, 2022–2025) Member, Large Ateneo Research Project Following Constitutional Law No. 1/2020, which Parliament? (Sapienza, 2022) Laura Frosina has been involved in numerous research projects funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR), CNR, Sapienza University, and the European Committee of the Regions. She has served as a research fellow and principal investigator on topics including intergovernmental cooperation, EU multilevel governance, democratization in South Asia, and urban governance. She has collaborated with the Center of Excellence Integración Europea y Globalización at the University of Granada and participated in international training programs for parliaments in the Balkans. Her academic work bridges doctrinal legal analysis with political science perspectives, contributing to both theoretical and policy-oriented debates. She is affiliated with the Association of Comparative and European Public Law and has coordinated academic events and seminars, including tributes to her mentor Fulco Lanchester. Her institutional page lists regular office hours and remote availability via Google Meet, indicating active engagement with students and the academic community.
Federica CICCI is a Contract Lecturer in the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice and has recently taken on an adjunct professorship in 'History of Asia and Southeast Asia' at Roma Tre University. Her academic work is deeply rooted in gender history, Chinese studies, and transnational humanitarianism, particularly focusing on women's roles during wartime China (1937–1945). Education: Ph.D. (Magna Cum Laude, 2024): Double Degree, Ca' Foscari University of Venice and Heidelberg University. Research: 'Caring Women: Transnational Activism and Humanitarian Relief Efforts during Wartime China (1937-1945).' M.A. in Languages, Economies and Institutions of Asia and North Africa (110/110 con lode, 2018), Ca' Foscari University of Venice. B.A. in Languages, Culture and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa (110/110 con lode, 2016), Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Classical High School Degree (96/100, 2013), Liceo G. Mazzatinti, Gubbio. She also completed multiple exchange programs in China at Renmin University, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and Capital Normal University. Her research interests center on gender, humanitarianism, women's transnational activism, and modern Chinese history . She explores how women navigated war, care, and political ideologies through institutions like the Red Cross and missionary networks. Her work bridges history, gender studies, and international relations, often highlighting silenced female voices in 20th-century China. The analysis of her publications reveals a strong thematic consistency: all recent works examine women’s humanitarian roles during wartime China, with sub-themes including gendered discourse, medical missions, Sino-Vatican relations, and the ideological framing of care. She frequently publishes in Italian and international journals such as DEP. Deportate, Esuli e Profughe and Asia Maior , and presents at major conferences like EACS and AISC. Scientific Awards and Scholarships: 3-year Ph.D. full scholarship from Italian Ministry of University and Ca' Foscari (2019) Erasmus+ funding for research at Heidelberg University (2020–2021) Third prize in 'Chinese Speech Contest' and scholarship at ECNU (2018) Multiple 'Overseas' Program awards from Ca' Foscari for study in China Confucius-Hanban Institute Scholarship Federica CICCI has served as a Teaching Assistant and Faculty Tutor at Ca' Foscari, supporting courses in Chinese history and law. She has not advised any students yet. She has received research grants through Erasmus+ and participated in summer schools and workshops on area studies and gender history. She is an active member of several academic associations and serves on the editorial board of DEP. Deportate, Esuli e Profughe . She is involved in academic communities such as the Associazione Italiana per gli Studi Cinesi (AISC) , European Association of Chinese Studies (EACS) , and Società Italiane delle Storiche (SIS) . She has organized and reported on international conferences, particularly those focusing on women’s transnational activism.
Erik Jones serves as Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy. His academic leadership spans European political economy, institutional analysis, and transatlantic relations within this prominent EU-focused research institution. Professor Jones' research centers on European integration dynamics , economic governance , and political instability in the EU context. His work critically examines monetary union frameworks, populism's policy impacts, and Franco-German leadership challenges. His scholarship bridges academic rigor with real-world policy relevance through frequent contributions to major international media outlets including the Financial Times and New York Times. His recent publications reveal a concentrated focus on ECB international role , populism-policy interactions , and US-EU trade relations . These works demonstrate methodological sophistication in analyzing institutional responses to political shocks while maintaining accessibility for policy audiences. Professor Jones actively mentors emerging scholars through the EUI's postdoctoral programs, guiding research on European governance and political economy. His supervision extends to both Max Weber Fellows and doctoral candidates working on critical EU policy challenges. As Director of the Robert Schuman Centre, he oversees one of Europe's premier hubs for interdisciplinary EU studies, fostering collaboration between academics, policymakers, and practitioners. The Centre serves as a critical nexus for evidence-based analysis of European integration challenges and opportunities.
Juha Kasperi Tolvanen serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance at Tor Vergata University of Rome, teaching Master's-level courses including Game Theory and Industrial Organization, Industrial Organization, Microeconomics 2, and Strategy and Information since completing his PhD at Princeton University in 2016. His academic profile bridges theoretical rigor with practical applications in economic systems. His research investigates how information asymmetries and strategic communication shape social outcomes across two domains: industrial organization examines how minor informational advantages distort market structures and cause failures, while political economy analyzes anti-establishment parties' use of ambiguity to destabilize democracies. Tolvanen uniquely combines theoretical modeling with operational data from corporate partnerships to quantify the economic costs of information flows. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal consistent exploration of information dynamics through high-impact studies in the RAND Journal of Economics, Management Science, and American Political Science Review. His work spans decentralized markets, algorithmic recommendations, political platforms, and demand estimation, demonstrating methodological versatility through experimental designs and empirical analyses of strategic behavior in markets and elections. No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the source materials. Tolvanen actively mentors graduate students through course instruction and research supervision, while collaborating with companies to address real-world implications of information economics. Although specific grant details remain unreported, his applied research approach leverages day-to-day corporate operational data to translate academic insights into business solutions. He operates within Tor Vergata University of Rome's Department of Economics and Finance, with collaborative networks evidenced by co-authored publications spanning international institutions. His current work extends into moral hazard measurement, historical economic analysis, and strategic communication through active working papers.
Nicola Mastrorocco is an Assistant Professor of Economics (RTDb) at the University of Bologna, affiliated with the Department of Economics. He holds additional affiliations with Trinity College Dublin’s Trinity Impact Evaluation Unit and Bocconi University’s Pericles initiative. His research focuses on political economy and applied microeconomics, examining topics such as state capacity, media bias, organized crime’s impact on governance, and the evolution of social democratic movements. His work integrates historical analysis, institutional economics, and empirical methods to address questions about organizational efficiency in government, media influence on public perception, and the interplay between political institutions and economic outcomes. Recent studies include investigations into the historical growth of U.S. state capacity, biases in weather event reporting, and the allocation of public resources in contexts of political capture. Nicola’s interdisciplinary approach bridges political science, sociology, and economics. His affiliations with leading research units like CEPR Media Plurality (RPN) further emphasize his commitment to impactful policy analysis. Though no specific grants or awards are listed, his publications reflect sustained engagement with high-impact research themes in contemporary social science.
