The following is a summary of my scientific experience.
I have a multidisciplinary background with a focus on quantitative and computational methodologies for communication and social sciences. I have extensive experience in analyzing digital media data using statistical and computational methods. I am currently serving as a non-tenure track Assistant Professor of Computational Communication Science and Adjunct Professor of Advanced Data Analysis at the University of Vienna. Additionally, I am habilitated to hold the position of Associate Professor of Social Science Methods in the Italian academic system.
After graduating from a high school that emphasized solid foundations in math and science, I enrolled in a multidisciplinary social science degree program where I studied a range of subjects including quantitative and qualitative research, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and epistemology. I was then admitted to the PhD program in Sociology and Social Research as the top candidate. During my PhD program, I further developed my skills in quantitative and qualitative social science methodologies, as well as my proficiency in using R for computational and digital media analysis.
After obtaining my Ph.D., I served as a teaching and research assistant at the University of Verona and was then employed as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Urbino, where I honed my expertise in computational social science and statistics through participating in international research projects directed by Fabio Giglietto, professor of Internet Studies.
I was then offered a position as a Universitätsassistant postdoc (non-tenure track Assistant Professor) at the University of Vienna in the team of Annie Waldherr, professor of Computational Communication Science and currently chair of the Computational Method division of the International Communication Association.
In Vienna, I directed a research project funded by the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LFM NRW) that focused on mapping social media communication leading up to German elections, and I am currently co-leading an international research project that examines the social media communication of environmental movements and climate change deniers. I am also leading a research program on the online communication of conservative groups. I co-supervise two Ph.D. theses and several Bachelor’s theses. I also teach advanced data analysis and methodological courses at both the Master’s and Bachelor’s level.
Over the years I have developed an international network and collaborated with several scholars. This is what has been written by some of them in their reference letters or evaluations:
He masters a wide range of data analysis techniques, from classic statistical analysis to more sophisticated and innovative computational methods, which allowed him to make always significant contributions to our research, providing thoughtful and inspiring insights on pressing social and political issues through the savvy use of digital data.
From a reference letter
The applicant developed a strong profile at the intersection of internet research, computational social science, and political communication. NR has a strong methodological orientation and is excellently versed in computational methods, but also qualitative and ethnographic approaches.
Expert who evaluated my application for a Tenure Track Position
His work clearly pointed out a strong aptitude and ability for performing complex analysis leveraging statistical and computational methods, addressing technical and methodological issues, and developing innovative methods for the study of political communication online.
From a reference letter