I first approached Taiwan as a research subject, but it quickly became much more—a place where I lived, taught, and carried out research. Those experiences have deeply shaped both my academic path and my personal perspective. Today, I am a Research Fellow at Sapienza University of Rome, where I coordinate the Taiwan Studies Center within the Department of SARAS (History, Anthropology, Religions, Art History, and Performing Arts). The Taiwan Studies Center at Sapienza is part of the interdepartmental research center CEMAS.
I hold a degree in Sociology and a Ph.D. in History, a background that has shaped my approach to the study of international relations. My work is rooted in the social history applied to international relations—a branch of history that emphasizes social structures and the interaction of different groups in society rather than only state-to-state affairs. This perspective has led me to explore themes such as soft power, informal networks of public diplomacy, lobbying activities, and the evolution of national identity. Taiwan is, in this regard, a particularly fascinating case: its constrained international status has made it a laboratory of alternative strategies, where identity politics, public diplomacy, and advocacy networks compensate for the absence of formal representation caused by the limitations imposed on Taipei.
I have published extensively on Taiwan, with numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and chapters in edited volumes. My most recent monograph, L’Isola sospesa. Taiwan e gli equilibri del mondo (LUISS University Press), is the first popular book in Italian entirely dedicated to Taiwan. The book has attracted wide attention, reaching a second edition, and has contributed to broadening Italian public awareness of Taiwan.
Beyond my research, I have been committed to fostering academic and institutional cooperation between Italy and Taiwan, encouraging exchanges and joint initiatives that have strengthened the academic dialogue on Taiwan. At the same time, I have sought to insert the idea of a Taiwanese subjectivity into the Italian public debate, which is increasingly framed around security in the Taiwan Strait. My effort has been to place Taiwan’s own history—and the stories of its people—at the center of this growing interest, so that the discussion is not limited to geopolitical calculations but also reflects the lived experiences and perspectives of Taiwanese society.
I am also Head of Institutional Relations at Centro Studi Geopolitica.info, one of Italy’s leading think tanks, which produces reports and policy papers for institutional actors such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chamber of Deputies, and other Italian institutions. In parallel, I teach in several Italian and international universities, including Sapienza University of Rome and UNINT, where I lecture on “Soft Power and Public Diplomacy.”
I founded ITASEA (Italy Taiwan Scientific Exchange Association) and, since 2022, I have served as President of the Taiwan Alumni Association Italia. I also regularly write about Taiwan for major Italian newspapers, appear on national TV and radio, and have been invited to parliamentary hearings on the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan, and China’s strategic influence in Italy. Since 2015, I have supported the Italy–Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group and organized numerous conferences and policy events to enhance Taiwan’s visibility in Italy.
Currently, I am co-organizing the 2026 Annual Conference of the European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS) in Portsmouth. With my role on the Board, I hope to give back some of what EATS has offered me over the years—by helping to strengthen connections, support new projects, and contribute to the growth of our shared scholarly community.
For me, Taiwan is both a research subject and a lived experience: a unique case study for understanding how identity, diplomacy, and international relations intersect, and a community of colleagues, friends, and partners with whom I am proud to collaborate.