Maria Vittoria Gargiulo
Maria Vittoria Gargiulo is a physicist and interdisciplinary researcher specialising in disaster risk reduction, multi-risk assessment, risk communication and participatory approaches. Her research combines physical and social perspectives on environmental hazards, with a particular focus on risk perception, stakeholder engagement, climate adaptation and community preparedness. Her expertise supports the development of innovative approaches to communicating scientific evidence, fostering participation and strengthening societal resilience.
Education & Academic Background
Her academic background in physics and interdisciplinary research provides a strong scientific foundation for investigating complex environmental risks and their interactions with societal processes.
- Academic background in Physics, supporting interdisciplinary research on natural hazards, environmental risks and science communication.
- PhD in Mathematics, Physics and Applications, awarded with the distinction of Doctor Europaeus.
Professional Expertise
Her research and professional activities focus on understanding complex risk scenarios, improving the communication of scientific knowledge and developing participatory approaches to disaster preparedness and resilience.
Her main areas of expertise include:
- Disaster risk reduction: investigation of natural and anthropogenic hazards and approaches to strengthen preparedness and resilience.
- Multi-risk and risk-pathway analysis: assessment of interacting hazards, risk pathways and their potential consequences for communities and territories.
- Risk communication and perception: analysis of how individuals and communities perceive, understand and respond to environmental risks and scientific uncertainty.
- Science communication: development and evaluation of approaches to communicate complex scientific evidence to diverse audiences.
- Stakeholder engagement and co-creation: design and implementation of participatory processes involving researchers, public authorities, practitioners and communities.
- Serious games and gamification: application of interactive and game-based approaches to explore risk scenarios, climate change and preparedness strategies.
- Climate adaptation and preparedness: investigation of approaches connecting scientific knowledge, societal participation and resilience to climate-related challenges.