Throughout my research career, I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, with a particular preference for multidisciplinary and applied initiatives.
My doctoral research concentrated on the legitimization of hackers as a form of vicarious political protest. During this time, I delved into the literature on political protest, social movements, and the management of deviance.
Additionally, during my PhD, I participated in a large-scale longitudinal project, consisting of seven waves over a year and a half, which investigated the effects of COVID-19 on social cohesion in the UK. This study paid particular attention to attitudes towards minority groups, exploring intergroup dynamics and processes of social solidarity.
Following my doctorate, I collaborated on several projects, including:
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University of Kent: I worked at the Faculty of Computing on a project concerning cybersecurity in the transport sector. My role involved identifying potential predictors of acceptance and intention to use multimodal and integrated transport systems (Mobility as a Service - MaaS). These systems, part of the smart cities concept, promise to make the transport sector more functional and sustainable, contributing to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
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University of Padua: I participated in the project “Deconstructing our understanding of populism, reconstructing our idea of democracy,” which analyzed populism in Italy and its possible psychological and social determinants.
Currently, I am collaborating with the University of Bologna on a PRIN 2022 project titled “Detrimental and beneficial social factors leading to inclusive societies.” This project aims to examine the contextual, social, and individual factors that facilitate trust in democratic institutions, political participation, and support for stigmatized groups across different European countries, considering both the perspectives of majorities and ethnic minorities.
