Prof. Gabriella Punziano | Biological Data Science | Best Researcher Award
Associate Professor at Department of Social Sciences University of Naples Federico II | Italy
Gabriella Punziano is a leading Italian sociologist and Associate Professor of General Sociology at the University of Naples Federico II. With a dynamic academic and research profile, she contributes significantly to the methodological and epistemological advancement of the social sciences. Her work focuses on the integration of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches, the sociology of communication, and the impact of digital transformation on research paradigms. She plays pivotal roles in numerous international projects, doctoral programs, and scientific networks, demonstrating a sustained commitment to both theoretical inquiry and applied social research.
Profile
ORCID
Education
Gabriella earned her Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Research from the University of Naples Federico II, where her dissertation explored the comparative analysis of European welfare regimes through mixed-methods approaches. Prior to her doctorate, she obtained a Master’s degree in Public, Social, and Political Communication (110 cum laude) and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology (110/110). Throughout her academic formation, she supplemented her education with numerous specialized training sessions at prominent institutions like the University of Essex and the Summer School on Method and Social Research, gaining expertise in R, STATA, NVivo, and multilevel data analysis.
Experience
Her academic career spans over 15 years and includes roles as a postdoctoral fellow, fixed-term researcher, and ultimately Associate Professor at the Department of Social Sciences, University of Naples Federico II. She has served as a visiting researcher at Northumbria University in the UK and Stockholm University in Sweden. Her expertise is frequently sought for PhD programs, inter-university Master’s courses, and national evaluation boards. Gabriella has organized and lectured at major summer schools, contributed to international conferences, and coordinated educational and methodological training initiatives. She holds editorial roles with prominent journals including SN Social Sciences and ARSS, and is an accredited evaluator for the Italian Ministry of Research.
Research Interest
Her research interests encompass the transformation of social welfare systems, digital research methods, mixed methods integration, public communication, and the role of algorithms in shaping digital consumption behaviors. She is particularly engaged in projects studying digital inequality, algorithmic feedback loops, and the evolution of communication in platform societies. Her theoretical orientation is deeply rooted in critical and reflexive approaches to methodology, with a consistent focus on interdisciplinarity and innovation.
Award
Gabriella Punziano received a special mention from the Italian Sociology Association (AIS) during its Youth Forum for the scientific maturity and international scope of her comparative research on European welfare systems. This recognition highlights her capacity to employ integrated research techniques with notable results and societal relevance. Her awarded publication explored Europeanization processes through typological analysis, reinforcing her standing in the academic community.
Publications
Gabriella Punziano has authored numerous academic publications, among which the following are particularly notable:
Title: Digital capital and social inequality: Revisiting divides in the Italian context
Year: 2023
Cited by: 18 articles
Title: Mixed methods research strategies in the digital age
Year: 2022
Cited by: 27 articles
Title: Algorithmic culture and feedback systems in platform societies
Year: 2021
Cited by: 21 articles
Title: Covid-19 and Third Sector innovation: New organizational responses in Campania
Year: 2020
Cited by: 12 articles
Title: Urban transformations and governance: A comparative analysis of Naples and L’Aquila
Year: 2019
Cited by: 16 articles
Conclusion
Gabriella Punziano stands out as a multifaceted scholar whose contributions to research, teaching, international collaboration, and academic leadership make her an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work transcends disciplinary and national boundaries, offering novel insights into digital society, social policy, and methodological innovation.