Short Bio Info

I am an Associate Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Naples in Italy.  Since 2016, I have held the position of Visiting Professor of Comparative Public Policy at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration of George Washington University. Additionally, I have contributed as a lecturer in The World Bank’s International Program in Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) at Carlton University in Canada (2014-2016) and Maastricht University in 2006.

My research interests primarily focus on evaluating performance-based governance systems within the public sector, particularly concerning the university’s social impact, innovation ecosystems, and museums and cultural heritage sites. Additionally, I am involved in evaluating human and social development policies for gender equality.

I have provided consultancy services to various prestigious organizations, including the World Bank (1998-2005), the United Nations (2008 and 2020), the European Commission (2014-2016), the FAO (2018-2019), and IFAD (2024), on evaluating institutional development programs, gender equality, and the utilization of evaluative information in decision-making processes.

My academic background includes a BA in Economics from the University of Naples (1995), a Master of Art in International Relations and Economic Development from Johns Hopkins University - School of Advanced International Studies (1998), and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from George Washington University (2003).

I have contributed over 50 articles to both Italian and international peer-reviewed journals such as the American Journal of Evaluation, Evaluation, Systems Research and Behavioral Science, and European Urban and Regional Studies. Notably, my 2017 monograph, "Evaluating evaluation: Compliance, ambiguities, and learning in the Italian public administration," was awarded the 2018 European Court of Auditors award for the best research on auditing in the public sector.

I serve as the Editor-in-Chief for the international peer-reviewed journal Evaluation and Program Planning (2015-present) and have previously held the position of Past President of the Italian Evaluation Association (AIV, 2013-2017).