Francesca Cellina

Francesca Cellina is a Senior Researcher and Head of Sustainability and Society at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), working within the Department of Environment, Construction and Design and the Institute for Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment. With a background in Environmental and Land Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan and a recent PhD in Analysis of Social and Economic Processes from the University of Milan-Bicocca, she brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to sustainability research.

Her research focuses on the social dimensions of sustainability transitions, particularly in energy and mobility. She employs participatory methodologies including living labs, design thinking, and multi-criteria analysis to engage stakeholders in developing sustainable solutions. Her methodological expertise spans systemic and transdisciplinary approaches, with strong skills in both quantitative and qualitative social research.

Recent publications reveal a consistent focus on innovative approaches to sustainable mobility and energy transition, with particular attention to behavioral change mechanisms. Her work on the Bellidea and GoEco! living labs demonstrates her commitment to developing practical, community-engaged solutions rather than purely theoretical approaches. The progression from her early work on forest management to current projects on digital tools for sustainability shows an evolving research trajectory focused on increasingly sophisticated behavioral interventions.

Francesca Cellina has secured competitive funding for multiple projects including TAC, Bellidea, and research on teleworking impacts, demonstrating strong research leadership. Her collaborative approach is evident in her numerous co-authored publications across disciplines.

Her teaching and research activities focus on sustainable mobility, energy transition, and participatory methodologies, with particular emphasis on how digital tools can support long-term behavioral change toward sustainability. She has developed expertise in overcoming common challenges in behavior change interventions, such as maintaining user engagement and reaching beyond environmentally conscious early adopters.