Alberto Bitonti

Alberto Bitonti is a Lecturer at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), affiliated with the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society and the Institute of Communication and Public Policy (ICPP). He also serves as Professor of Politics at IES Abroad Rome, teaching Political Theory and Italian/European politics. With over 18 years of experience, his research focuses on open government, lobbying regulation, digital innovation in public affairs, and political communication. He has held visiting roles at institutions like Yale University and the GovLab, and coordinates the Public Integrity Research Group (GRIP) at USI.

Bitonti earned his Ph.D. in Political Theory and Public Affairs from the University of Roma Tre (2011). His work bridges academia and policy, advising NGOs, governments, and firms on open government initiatives. As Editor-in-Chief of the Palgrave Encyclopedia of Interest Groups, Lobbying and Public Affairs, he emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and civic engagement.

His research trends include analyzing lobbying practices across EU countries, digital tools in public affairs, and the interplay between political communication and institutional accountability. Notable projects include the book *Lobbying in Europe* (2017), examining lobbying industries in all 28 EU Member States.

Bitonti collaborates with international research groups and civic projects, advocating for transparency and innovation in political processes. His digital expertise extends to exploring how technology shapes modern political strategies and public participation mechanisms.