Andrea Balbo

Dr. Andrea Balbo is a Scientific Collaborator in Geoarchaeology and Paleogeography at the University of Geneva, affiliated with the Department of Earth Sciences within the Faculty of Sciences. His research is supported by major grants, including the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) project 'Specialized Craftsmen on the Move,' and he collaborates with institutions across Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, India, and beyond.

• PhD in Archaeology (Geoarchaeology), University of Cambridge (2007)
• Associate Professor Accreditation, Italian Ministry of University and Research (2013)
• Accreditation for Advanced Research, Catalan University Quality Agency (2015)
• Senior Research Fellow, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, University of Hamburg (2015–2018)

His research focuses on human-environment interactions during the Holocene, particularly in mountainous, arid, and coastal zones. He integrates archaeological fieldwork with paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic data, using techniques such as soil micromorphology, remote sensing, and agent-based modeling. His work spans diverse regions including the Alps, Mediterranean wetlands, North Gujarat (India), the Sahara, Tierra del Fuego, and the Antarctic Peninsula.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in interdisciplinary environmental archaeology, with emphasis on climate change impacts, land use sustainability, terrace agriculture, and the use of advanced technologies like SAR remote sensing and simulation modeling. His articles appear in leading journals such as Quaternary Science Reviews, The Holocene, PLOS ONE, and WIREs Water.

• Senior Research Fellow, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (2015–2018)
• Associate Professor Accreditation, MIUR, Italy (2013)
• Accreditation for Advanced Research, AQU Catalunya (2015)

Dr. Balbo has served as a lecturer and teaching director at multiple universities, including the University of Geneva, Politecnico di Milano, University of Bologna, and University of the Philippines. He has supervised laboratory and field training at the University of Cambridge and coordinated international summer schools. He is also an active peer reviewer for the European Commission, National Geographic Society, IUCN, and over 20 scientific journals. His work at ALIPH Foundation on heritage conservation in conflict zones further demonstrates his engagement with real-world applications of archaeological science.

He has contributed to projects involving heritage conservation, climate-conflict interactions, and illicit trafficking of cultural goods, and helped design e-learning platforms for heritage diplomacy. His affiliations include the Humboldt Foundation, Darwin College (Cambridge), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Association, and the SDG Academy Alumni Network.