Maria Savona

Professor Maria Savona is a leading academic in the economics of innovation, holding dual professorships at the University of Sussex Business School (SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit) and LUISS University in Rome. She has held roles at the University of Cambridge (Honorary Research Fellow) and the University of Lille 1. Her expertise spans structural economic transformation, global value chains, and data governance. She advises international organizations like the EU Commission and UN agencies, and chairs the Joseph Schumpeter Society.

Education:

• Laurea in Economics (Cum Laude), University of Rome La Sapienza
• PhD in Science and Technology Studies, SPRU (University of Sussex)

Research Focus: Her work examines how technological change impacts employment, wage disparities, and sectoral evolution, particularly in services. Recent studies address data-value redistribution and AI governance. She publishes in top journals like Journal of Economic Geography and Research Policy.

Grants & Leadership:

• Principal Investigator for Italian PRIN grants (2023) on global value chains and digitalization
• Co-Investigator on ESRC-funded trade policy initiatives
• Leads SPRU's H2020 projects on inclusive labor markets

Awards & Impact:

• 2023 Premio Linceo in Economics (Italian National Academy)
• Advisory roles for EC, OECD, UN agencies, and UK Productivity Institute
• Keynote speaker at global venues including the Max Planck Institute and Accademia dei Lincei

Teaching & Mentoring: Convenes MSc courses in Innovation and Development at Sussex. Supervises PhD students on topics like innovation barriers, global value chains, and technological upgrading. Averages 4.3/5 in student evaluations.