Assoc. Prof. Gabriella Punziano | Epistemology of the research | Best Researcher Award
Assoc. Prof. Gabriella Punziano | University of Naples Federico II | Italy
Gabriella Punziano is an accomplished sociologist and researcher whose work spans epistemological, methodological, and applied dimensions of social research, with a particular focus on welfare systems, communication processes, local development, and the challenges posed by digital and algorithmic environments. Her early academic pursuits, culminating in a Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Research, laid the foundation for a career characterized by methodological innovation and interdisciplinary inquiry, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches and exploring the intersections between traditional sociological theory and emerging digital realities. As an Associate Professor of General Sociology at the University of Naples Federico II, Dr. Punziano has been extensively involved in teaching, mentoring, and coordinating research activities across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, while simultaneously participating in national and international research initiatives that investigate the social, cultural, and organizational impacts of digitalization and algorithmic mediation. Her professional endeavors include significant leadership roles, such as membership in the Doctoral College for the Doctoral Program in Social Sciences and Statistics, participation in the Scientific Council of the inter-university Master’s program METARS, and coordination of methodological aspects for large-scale projects including PRIN 2022 Algofeed, which examines how algorithmic recommendation systems shape cultural consumption and online behavior. Dr. Punziano’s research contributions are marked by an emphasis on methodological rigor, with innovative applications of mixed-methods research, digital data analysis, and fully integrated research designs, enabling a deeper understanding of complex social phenomena in the context of networked societies. Her scholarly output extends to editorial leadership and peer evaluation, including her roles as Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Review of Social Sciences and as a member of the editorial board of SN Social Sciences (Springer Nature), alongside her contributions as an accredited evaluator for MIUR and various regional and international funding bodies, reflecting both her professional recognition and influence in shaping the standards of social research. Through her work with international networks such as ILIS (International Lab for Innovative Social Research) and the CONVERGE project at the University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Punziano has contributed to cross-cultural and interdisciplinary research on risk communication, public health, and digital social innovation, demonstrating a commitment to advancing sociology beyond national and disciplinary boundaries. Her impact as an educator and mentor is equally significant, guiding students and early-career researchers in developing advanced methodological competencies, while fostering an understanding of the social implications of digitalization and technological mediation. Over the course of her career, Dr. Punziano has consistently bridged theoretical insights with applied research, producing work that addresses contemporary societal challenges, including the influence of algorithms on social behaviors, the organization of welfare systems, and the dynamics of local development. Her ongoing projects and future research ambitions continue to emphasize the integration of digital data, ethical considerations, and methodological sophistication, aiming to advance sociological understanding in an era increasingly defined by technological and informational complexity. By combining intellectual rigor, innovative research designs, and practical relevance, Gabriella Punziano exemplifies the modern sociologist who navigates the evolving landscape of social inquiry, contributing both to the academic discipline and to broader societal understanding, ensuring that her work remains influential and impactful across methodological, theoretical, and applied domains.
Featured Publications
Punziano, G. (2025). Adaptive epistemology: Embracing generative AI as a paradigm shift in social science. Societies.
Punziano, G., Acampa, S., & Sorrentino, R. (2024). New organizational responses, innovations and social impacts of COVID-19 on third sector organizations in Campania Region. Fuori Luogo Journal of Sociology of Territory, Tourism, Technology.
Punziano, G., De Falco, C. C., & Trezza, D. (2023). Digital mixed content analysis for the study of digital platform social data: An illustration from the analysis of COVID-19 risk perception in the Italian Twittersphere. Journal of Mixed Methods Research.
Punziano, G. (2019). Giovani e capitale sociale: Gli orizzonti della religiosità. Religioni e Società.
Amaturo, E., Caputo, A., Felaco, C., & Punziano, G. (2019). Youth and social capital: The religiosity horizons. Religioni e Societa-rivista di Scienze Sociali Della Religione.
Punziano, G. (2018). La survey nelle strategie di indagine mixed methods. Sociologia e Ricerca Sociale.
Punziano, G. (2018). Online textual data and political communication analysis: Methodological issues and research perspectives. Sociologia Italiana.