About Me
Born and raised in Trento, Italy, I bring a diverse background that blends academic rigor with practical experience. I am a Visiting Scholar in Residence in the History Department at American University and active in the private sector. I am currently completing a book under contract with Peter Lang, forthcoming in July 2026. I earned a Ph.D. in European History from West Virginia University (2014), with a specialization in nationalism, World War II, and U.S. Diplomatic History, focusing on Cold War Europe.
Before entering academia, I worked across various industries and served in a NATO peacekeeping mission in Albania in 2001. My academic journey also includes a Master’s in Public Policy (2010) from West Virginia University, a Master’s in International and European Studies (2007), and a Bachelor’s degree in Society, Politics, and European Institutions (2004) from the University of Trento.
Scholarly Interests
My research journey began with an exploration of the Yugoslav wars of succession, with a focus on the role of the European Community during this critical period and its implications for post-war Europe. From there, I shifted to examine totalitarian ideologies and their profound impact on twentieth-century politics and society. More recently, my work has concentrated on the political and cultural dynamics of Cold War Europe, nationalism, and borderland identities.
My forthcoming book, “Cold War Trieste: Nationalism, Diplomacy, and Italianità in a Contested Borderland,” represents the significant evolution of research first established in my dissertation, “Between the Local and the National: The Free Territory of Trieste, ‘Italianità,’ and the Politics of Identity from the Second World War to the Osimo Treaty.” While that foundational work investigated the Italian government’s strategic territorial claims, this manuscript has matured over years of archival scrutiny to offer a more nuanced argument that challenges traditional state-centered historiography.
Drawing on a rich tapestry of primary sources, the book explores how nationalism survived and transformed on the southern edge of the Iron Curtain. By illuminating the pivotal agency of non-state actors, from patriotic associations to local activists, this work investigates how the shifting meanings of Italianità and the politics of memory collided with the cold logic of international diplomacy. Ultimately, it invites readers to discover how these hidden power dynamics between the halls of power in Rome and the streets of Trieste fundamentally reshaped the community's relationship with the nation-state during the long journey toward the 1975 Osimo Treaty.
Building on my strong foundation in international affairs, my broader interests encompass European integration, transatlantic relations, and the history of Southeastern Europe, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean region. These interconnected themes continue to inform my commitment to analyzing the complexities of nationalism, political identity, and historical legacies in modern Europe.
To learn more about my work, visit my research page or connect with me on Academia.edu, where I share my conference papers and publications.