PhD Alumnus Gianmaria Tassinari
Gianmaria Tassinari completed his PhD in 2023 on the topic “Assessing Alternative Sustainability Aspects of Bioeconomy Innovation: a Case Study Approach”.
Since 2024, he works as a contract agent for the European Commission at the Joint Research Centre in Seville, Spain. His responsibilities involve impact assessments of agricultural, environmental, climate change, trade, and socio-economic policies related to the agri-food system. He also contributes to the maintenance and development of economic models, and the management of research projects.
In this position, I can use the knowledge acquired during my academic studies, while doing things that match my interests. It gives me a sense of professional fulfilment knowing that my research may contribute to a more sustainable food system and to a climate-neutral economy. I especially appreciate that I can do this work with an international focus and close ties to academia, but without the constraints of the latter.
The job, so far, has improved Gianmaria’s understanding of the management of research projects – from design to implementation, monitoring and control – and his knowledge of economic modeling and policy evaluation, using new resources and tools. Working at the European Commission has also increased his awareness of the impact of scientific research, strengthening his commitment to the social sciences.
When asked about the usefulness of the knowledge and skills that were acquired during his PhD, Gianmaria refers to the advanced training programs, especially in microeconomics, that gave him a strong foundation for his current job. But he also appreciates the soft skills that were developed over the years of his PhD
The informal and frequent interactions with professors and peers helped me to grow both personally and professionally, and provided me with unique knowledge and skills that I am now leveraging. Besides this, the group activities that were organized by AEP or the university gave me invaluable experience in international teamwork.