Gabriele Baratto

Gabriele Baratto is an Assistant Professor of Criminology at the Faculty of Law, University of Trento, where he is also a senior researcher in the eCrime research group and a member of the Centre for Security and Crime Sciences (CSSC), a joint initiative with the University of Verona. He teaches courses including Digital Criminology, Transnational Organized Crime, Urban Security, and Financial Crime, and serves as an academic specialist for the UNICRI-UPEACE LL.M. in Cybercrime and Cybersecurity.

• PhD in International Studies (Criminology), University of Trento (2019, cum laude)
• Master’s Degree in Law, University of Trento (2013, 110/110 with honors)
• LL.M. in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and International Law (cum laude), UNICRI-UPEACE-CSSC
• Scientific High School Diploma, Giorgio Dal Piaz, Feltre (2006)

His research focuses on the intersection of crime and digital society, with expertise in cybercrime, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, hate speech, counterfeit goods, urban security, and financial crime. He investigates how digital technologies transform criminal behaviors and how law enforcement and prevention strategies can adapt. His work emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches combining criminology, law, and information science.

Baratto has led and contributed to numerous EU-funded research projects such as qAID (Asset and Interest Disclosure), EU CYBER VAT (VAT fraud), HATEMETER (online anti-Muslim hate), and www.surfandsound.eu (human trafficking). His recent publications and conference presentations explore deepfake pornography, conversational AI for victim support, digital human trafficking, and organized cybercrime. His work bridges academic research with practical policy and law enforcement applications.

• Best Workshop Presentation 2018, Italian Society of Criminology

He has advised government bodies and law enforcement, including the Trento Public Prosecutor, Guardia di Finanza, and EUROPOL. He has delivered guest lectures at universities in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK, and conducted training for police, public officials, and educators on topics like cyberbullying, human trafficking, and digital crime. He serves as a reviewer for journals such as Trends in Organised Crime and Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, and was a guest editor for a special issue on cybercrime.

Baratto is actively involved in public engagement and knowledge transfer, participating in seminars, workshops, and public events on restorative justice, prison reform, and digital risks. Through his startup Intellegit, he applies research to real-world security challenges. His work consistently emphasizes the societal impact of digital crime and the need for innovative, interdisciplinary solutions.