Niccolo Durazzi

Dr. Niccolo Durazzi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Communication and Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. He also holds an Honorary Fellow position at the University of Edinburgh. His work bridges political economy and comparative social policy, focusing on the governance of welfare states and labor market policies in the transition to knowledge-based economies.

His research explores the institutional dynamics shaping skill formation systems, employability, and social inclusion. Key areas include the political economy of higher education, labor market dualization, and the impact of technological change on wage inequality. He has developed frameworks for analyzing policy change through design, compliance, and feedback mechanisms.

From 2025 to 2023, his publications examine skill-biased liberalization, knowledge economy transitions, and pandemic-era social protection responses. His work often employs comparative methods across Germany, Italy, South Korea, and other advanced democracies, integrating theories from labor economics and institutional analysis.

Scientific Awards:

• 2018 Best Paper Prize by the Council for European Studies’ Research Network on Political Economy and Welfare

Durazzi’s teaching includes courses on Sociology of Sustainability and Political Economy and Knowledge Society. His collaborations with scholars like Diessner, Geyer, and Clegg highlight cross-border research on labor markets and welfare systems.