In the contemporary digital age, the proliferation of propaganda and disinformation has emerged as a formidable challenge, particularly in Eastern European societies. These phenomena, fueled by the rapid dissemination capabilities of the internet and social media platforms, have profound implications for the fabric of societies, influencing public opinion, exacerbating social polarization, and undermining trust in democratic institutions.
Spending a month and a half in Pisa was a truly unforgettable experience. I was lucky enough
to join the KDD Lab at the CNR, working alongside the incredible team led by Prof. Luca
Pappalardo. As someone who shares their passion for human mobility research, this visit
wasn’t just professionally enriching—it was personally inspiring too.
One fine afternoon, while I was scrolling through my emails, I received an email from Joanna regarding the acceptance of my SoBigData++ (SBD++) application. As soon as I accepted, I began searching for accommodations, flight bookings, etc. My host, Avishek Anand, had moved to Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). Although my SBD++ host institute was Leibniz University of Hannover (LUH), due to time constraints and the need for focused and effective discussion with Avishek, I decided to go directly to TU Delft.
For mathematicians, engaging with academic colleagues from other domains is always a rewarding experience.
The TNA experience has been highly beneficial for my research on immigration and citizenship. During my research stay at the Paris School of Economics, I was able to present my work, gain valuable feedback, and collaborate with my co-authors. These interactions have supported progress on our joint projects, including a correspondence study experiment and an investigation into the unintended consequences of symbolic naturalization reforms.
I arrived in Pisa on a sunny September afternoon in 2024, pulling my suitcase along the charming old streets to my apartment, just 200 meters from the famous Leaning Tower. Living so close to this amazing landmark was a daily reminder of how lucky I was to be doing research at the University of Pisa. Prof. Dr. Anna Monreale and her wonderful team welcomed me warmly as I began my work on protecting people's privacy on social media - an important issue in today's online world.
It is two weeks since I returned from Italy on a visit to Università di Pisa supported by the SoBigData++ Transnational Access Program. I am now gazing out of the window into the Welsh mist and drizzle. While everyone there told me how unusually poor the weather was in Italy this October, including the occasional torrential downpour; it was still more like a typical UK summer!
When we open Google Maps, book an Airbnb, or call an Uber, we're shaping our cities in ways we're just beginning to understand. These digital platforms have transformed urban life, but they've also created feedback-loop effects that are surprisingly hard to study in the real world. What's fascinating: most of what we know comes from computer simulations, not actual data. [1]