Tell us about yourself, your background, hobbies or fun facts about you

My education is classical: a degree in Classical Literature at Unibo (University of Bologna), studies in Comparative Literature in Heidelberg. I am an expert in political and institutional communication in the Emilia-Romagna Region.  

In 2023, I obtained a master’s degree in public management and Innovation at Bologna Business School. I started my PhD studies in Sociology and Social Research in 2024 at Unibo.  

In 2024, I was elected and appointed deputy mayor for a second term in Castenaso (Bologna). As a deputy mayor, I am committed to women empowerment: my policies help women with a migrant background learn Italian, obtain a driver’s license, and find a job.

I deal with inclusive cities, housing policies, people with disabilities, the elderly, rights protection, anti-racism, inclusive digital innovation, energy communities, participatory processes.  

I would like to mention the latest project I carried out as a deputy mayor: a women’s crowdmapping initiative through which we collaboratively created a digital map featuring 42 places in the city that offer services for women. The group consisted of about 30 women of various nationalities, ages, and social backgrounds.

We deeply reflected on how we women experience urban space, starting from an intersectional feminism perspective. We examined whether we experience it in the same way men do, and whether the services we need as women are available. Then we reassessed the main places in the city (libraries, municipal offices, health centers, etc.) from a gender perspective and compiled a profile for each of them. The map is on a collaborative and public social network created by the University of Turin called FirstLife.  

What do you hope to gain from your time at the FinEst Centre?

From my experience at the FinEst Centre I expect to gain value for my studies by closely observing how digital twin technologies are implemented in practice within Smart City projects.  

While the Centre’s expertise lies primarily in technological development, this offers me an important opportunity to study digital twins from a socio-technical perspective by analyzing how technical infrastructures are designed, tested, and integrated into urban contexts.  

This experience will provide me with empirical insights into state-of-the-art implementations, which I can then examine in relation to questions of participation, governance, and human–machine interaction. In this way, my time at the FinEst Centre will not only deepen my understanding of the technological side of digital twins but also strengthen my ability to connect these implementations with broader theoretical debates on Smart Cities and democratic urban innovation. 

What have you noticed about the Centre, the work life, the team, or Estonia in general? 

From the centre I noticed that it has beautiful infrastructure: modern and sunny offices, a kitchen with all the comforts, restaurants, outdoor green areas, and excellent connections to the city center with public transport.  

I also noticed the high quality of its researchers and the international guests it hosts, in addition to the great work flexibility. 

Regarding work life, I appreciate the weekly update meetings, the sharing of information, and the focus on relationships.  

Regarding the team, I appreciate the passion and dedication to work and research, as well as the competence, things I have been able to capture in the interviews conducted so far.  

Concerning Estonia, I appreciate the cool days, the sea, and the quality of life. Tallinn is a beautiful city full of nightlife. I have only been here for a short time, but it seems to me that there is a constant reflection between the former Soviet past and a present that is trying to critically and positively strengthen its own identity. The digital transition is very advanced in Estonia, and this makes me curious to learn about the results.