The main criteria
The profiles include academics, researchers, professionals, and leading figures in their respective fields, identified based on criteria designed to make the database useful, up-to-date, and truly operational.
The main criteria for selecting experts include the topicality of the topics covered, professional and scientific recognition, capacity for innovation, territorial representation, attention to gender and intergenerational issues, and willingness to participate in public debate through interviews, events, meetings, and initiatives of collective interest.
A database updated over time
The selection process takes into account the specificities of each disciplinary area and is updated over time to keep the database consistent with the evolution of knowledge, professions, and society's information demands.
1) STEM AREA
The selection process is overseen by a Scientific Committee composed of Silvia Bencivelli, Gilberto Corbellini, Alberto Quadrio Curzio, Daniela Falcinelli, Maria Cristina Messa, Telmo Pievani, and Donatella Sciuto. The STEM experts are selected using a methodology shared with the Genders Research Center ( Gender & Equality in Research and Science ) at the University of Milan.
Specific criteria for academics.
Classification. Academic experts are identified through a search by subject area, according to the classification of scientific disciplines used by the European Research Council (ERC), conducted by entering keywords into specialized databases. The aim is to identify experts in each field, always balancing classification criteria with relevance. Therefore, priority will be given to ERC research lines of greatest interest to the media.
Relevance. Publications are an essential indicator of the quality of experts, especially international ones. Given the potential challenges of an analysis based solely on quantitative data, in addition to considering the results obtained from specialized databases such as Scopus, ResearchGate, and Web of Science , a qualitative assessment of the work performed is also performed, evaluating the prestige of the publications and the variety of topics addressed.
Specific criteria for non-academics
Non-academic experts are selected primarily through snowball sampling , that is, through recommendations from other colleagues in the networks they operate in. Particular attention is given to colleagues who enjoy less visibility despite meeting the same criteria. Once recommendations are made, the applications are evaluated based on the criteria primarily by well-known experts compared to less visible colleagues.
2) ECONOMICS AND FINANCE AREA
The selection of Economics and Finance experts is shared with Università Bocconi in Milan and overseen by a Scientific Committee chaired by Paola Profeta and composed of Elena Casolari, Alberto Quadrio Curzio, Daniele Manca, Paola Profeta, and Anna Maria Tarantola.
Specific criteria for academics
Italian academics are selected based on the REPEC top 5% ranking for economists working in Italy in the Ministry of Education, University and Research's Macrosectors 13/A and 13/B or abroad. Bibliometric indicators are also considered: Google Scholar citations greater than 1,000 and at least 12 H-indexes to identify a significant impact of their research on the academic community.
Specific criteria for non-academics
As for female professionals, snowball sampling is used, as for STEM subjects, including experts with degrees in economics, but also mathematics and management engineering.
The list includes managers of public institutions and excludes professionals working in private companies.
3) INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL AREA
The selection of international politics experts is shared with ISPI and overseen by a Scientific Committee chaired by Beatrice Covassi and composed of Barbara Stefanelli and Paolo Magri.
Specific criteria for academics
Italian academics are selected based on: relevant qualifications (degree and/or doctorate in Political Science, International Relations, Law, International Economics, History, Languages for International Relations), publications (essays, articles in scientific journals, analyses and in-depth articles on dedicated think tank websites and specialist journals both online and in print, think tank reports), consultancy work for national/European institutions and/or international organizations, awards and recognitions.
Specific criteria for non-academics
As for female professionals, as in other areas, snowball sampling is used, including experts with at least 5 years of experience in the field and/or in the relevant sector, a relevant degree (degree and/or doctorate in Political Science, International Relations, Law, International Economics, History, Languages for International Relations), and consulting experience for national/European institutions and/or international organizations.
The database also includes representatives of international organizations with relevant qualifications (degree and/or doctorate in Political Science, International Relations, Law, International Economics, History, Languages for International Relations), at least 5 years of experience in the field and/or in the relevant sector, publications of articles, reports and/or management of international/national projects.
4) HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY AREA
The selection of History and Philosophy experts is shared and supervised by a Scientific Committee composed of Cecilia Novelli and Aldo Cazzullo for history, Marina Calloni and Michele Nicoletti for philosophy.
Specific criteria for historical
Academics and scholars, history graduates, associate or full professors, are invited to participate in the project. They will be selected based on their disciplinary fields and memberships in the Italian Historical Societies (SIS, SISSCO, SISEM, SISMED, CUSGR), where they hold or have held positions. The selected academics will be included in the lists of examiners eligible for national qualification and meet the necessary requirements to be selected. They have publications of national and international relevance and are sensitive to gender issues in their research.
Specific criteria for female philosophers
Academics and scholars, with degrees or doctorates in philosophy, researchers, associate professors, or full professors, are invited to participate in the project. They will be selected by disciplinary field and by membership in the relevant philosophical societies in the scientific-disciplinary fields of theoretical philosophy, moral philosophy, philosophy of science, aesthetics, theory of languages, law, and politics, where they hold or have held positions or have held positions. The selected academics have received positive and suitable assessments in the ASN, ANVUR, and VQR classifications, or have served on committees recognized by the MUR (Ministry of Education, University and Research) for the development of gender issues. They have publications of national and international relevance, with a particular focus on gender issues, and have demonstrated impact and originality in public debate.
5) SPORTS AREA
The selection of sports experts is shared with a Scientific Committee that includes Alessandro Cannavò, Manuela Claysset, Claudia Giordani, Tiziana Nasi, and Gloria Zavatta.
Specific criteria for academics
The academics are selected based on their academic qualifications and/or national scientific qualification to teach subjects related to the scientific-disciplinary sectors M-EDF/01 (Methods and Teaching of Physical Activity) and M-EDF/02 (Methods and Teaching of Sports Activity) or other scientific-disciplinary sectors, such as, for example, Medical Sciences, Historical, Philosophical, Pedagogical and Psychological Sciences, Legal Sciences, Political and Social Sciences, with CVs and publications relevant to Sport, seen from an interdisciplinary perspective: educational, training, legal, medical, psychological, pedagogical, historical and social, but also economic, marketing and communication, in each case, with particular attention to gender and equal opportunities issues.
Specific criteria for former female athletes and professionals
As for female professionals, snowball sampling is used, as in other sectors, including former athletes, managers of Italian and international sports institutions, and professionals from the world of sports.
6) GEOGRAPHY AREA
The selection of geography experts is shared with a Scientific Committee including Valentina Erminia Albanese, Fabio Amato, Teresa Graziano, Stefano Malatesta, and Giulia Urso.
Specific criteria for academics
The aim is to identify experts in the scientific-disciplinary fields of Geography and Economic-Political Geography, always balancing the classification criterion with the criterion of topicality, thus favoring experts with documented and recognizable qualifications in specific research lines of greatest interest to the media. Specifically, they will be selected based on:
- proven research experience: associate and/or full professors in Geography or Economic-Political Geography included or having the requirements to be included in the lists of examiners eligible for the ASN; in the case of RTDb or RTT, the PhD qualification must have been obtained for at least 7 years and meet the same ASN requirements;
- disciplinary coherence: relevant qualification (PhD in Geography or Economic-Political Geography; in the case of multidisciplinary doctoral schools, the specialization curriculum and/or thesis will be considered valid);
- Relevance based on 1) publications of recognized national and international prestige (Tier A and/or international journals). Given the potential challenges of an analysis based solely on quantitative data, a qualitative assessment of the work performed is also envisaged, considering the prestige of the editorial positions, the variety of topics addressed, and the research networks; 2) coordination of projects of national and/or international importance; 3) active and consistent participation in the scientific initiatives of the national and international geographical community.
Sensitivity to gender issues and the inclination/aptitude to organize/participate in outreach and third mission initiatives of particular media interest will also be taken into consideration as additional requirements.
Specific criteria for non-academics
Non-academic experts will be selected mainly through the snowball sampling technique, starting from the following criteria:
- degree and/or doctorate in Geography or Economic-Political Geography (in the case of multidisciplinary doctoral schools, the specialization curriculum and/or thesis will be considered valid);
- at least five years of experience in sectors, institutions, and international organizations specialized in topics consistent with the discipline;
- recognized prestige of the role held.