Researcher, at Ca’ Foscari , United Kingdom.
Francesca Savoldi is a distinguished researcher specializing in human geography, political ecology, and citizen science. Currently, she is a visiting researcher at Erasmus University’s International Institute of Social Science, where she contributes to projects on resilience and environmental monitoring. She also serves as a postdoctoral researcher at Ca’ Foscari University, investigating the socio-ecological crises in Venice’s port city. With a career spanning several international institutions, including TU Delft and Glasgow Caledonian University, Francesca has extensively explored contested port cities, maritime boundaries, and urban transformations. Her research integrates spatial politics, governance, and community mobilization. She has received prestigious fellowships, including the Marie Curie-Skłodowska postdoctoral award. Francesca actively contributes to academic and public discourse through publications, conference presentations, and engagement with civil society. Her work critically examines the intersections of power, infrastructure, and environmental justice in port cities worldwide.
Professional Profile
ORCID
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Education 🎓
Francesca Savoldi holds a Ph.D. in Human Geography from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at Nova University of Lisbon (2018). Her dissertation, Urban Walls and Virtual Bridges: The Impact of the Internet on Post-Conflict Cities, was fully funded by the Foundation of Science and Technology. She earned an MA in GIS and Remote Sensing from the University of Alcalá de Henares in 2008, where she focused on social indicators for urban and metropolitan sustainability under the Miguel de Cervantes scholarship. In 2006, she completed her BA in Urban Studies at the Polytechnic of Milan, analyzing the challenges of gentrification in Madrid and Milan. Her academic journey includes an Erasmus fellowship at the Polytechnic of Madrid and an award for her outstanding dissertation by Agro Bresciano. Francesca’s interdisciplinary education underpins her research on urban transformation, governance, and spatial justice.
Experience 🌐
Francesca’s career spans multiple institutions across Europe. Since 2024, she has been a visiting researcher at Erasmus University, working on resilience and civic engagement in environmental monitoring. Concurrently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at Ca’ Foscari University, focusing on the geoeconomics of Venice’s port city. Previously, she was a lecturer in Governance and Sustainability at Glasgow Caledonian University (2023-2024). Between 2021 and 2023, she held a Marie Curie-Skłodowska postdoctoral fellowship at TU Delft, where she examined global community struggles in contested port cities. Francesca has also contributed to research at Nova University and the University of Lisbon, delving into maritime policy and e-planning. Her expertise in spatial politics, governance, and environmental justice has shaped her contributions to academia and policy discussions.
Research Interests 🔬
Francesca Savoldi’s research interests center on the intersection of human geography, political ecology, and spatial governance. She investigates how environmental and social dynamics shape urban and port city landscapes, focusing on contested geographies, maritime boundaries, and community resistance. Her projects, such as Contested Port Cities and Environmental Monitoring through Civic Engagement, highlight the socio-political implications of logistics and infrastructure expansion. She also explores digital participation in urban governance and the role of citizen science in environmental justice. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges critical geography, urban studies, and ecological politics, aiming to uncover hidden power structures and mobilization strategies in rapidly transforming urban environments.
Awards & Recognition 🏆
Francesca has received several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Marie Curie-Skłodowska Postdoctoral Fellowship at TU Delft (2021-2023). Her Ph.D. research was fully funded by the Foundation of Science and Technology, and she was awarded the Miguel de Cervantes Scholarship for her master’s studies. In 2006, she received the Agro Bresciano Award for her outstanding dissertation on urban conflict and gentrification. Her contributions to academic research and public discourse have earned her invitations as a keynote speaker at international conferences. Francesca’s commitment to interdisciplinary and socially engaged research continues to be recognized globally.
Top Noted Publications 📚
1. “Counter/Geographies of Global Circulation in Port Cities” (2025)
In this article, Savoldi positions port city geography within critical debates, viewing these urban areas as pivotal in the politics of global circulation. The study delves into how port cities like Piraeus serve as strategic nodes in global trade networks, influencing urban development and socio-political dynamics. Savoldi employs a critical geographical lens to analyze the interplay between global logistics and local urban transformations, highlighting the tensions and adaptations that arise in these unique urban settings.
2. “Contested Port Cities: Logistical Frictions and Civic Mobilization in Genoa and Venice” (2024)
This article examines the increasingly conflictual relationship between ports and their surrounding communities amid extensive infrastructural expansion. Savoldi highlights how the centralization of power and logistical gigantism create frictions that decouple inhabitants from their territories, fostering social contestation. Through ethnographic methods, the study reconstructs a historical counter-narrative of interactions among port authorities, urban spaces, and citizens in Genoa and Venice. The findings suggest that social mobilization challenges the status quo, promoting pathways toward more sustainable coexistence between ports and cities.
3. “The Shore as a Politicized Space for Community Heritage: The Case of Pra’, Genoa” (2024)
In this study, Savoldi explores how shorelines, particularly in the Pra’ area of Genoa, transform into politicized spaces where community heritage is actively contested and redefined. The research focuses on the socio-spatial dynamics that emerge when local communities engage in preserving and promoting their cultural heritage amidst external pressures from urban development and port expansion. Savoldi emphasizes the role of community-led initiatives in reclaiming and redefining these coastal spaces, asserting their significance in the collective memory and identity of the area.
4. “Dire Straits: The Free Ports of Tangier and Gibraltar in the English Mediterranean” (2024)
This book chapter, included in “Free Trade and Free Ports in the Mediterranean,” edited by G. Delogu, K. Stapelbroek, and A. Trampus, delves into the historical and geopolitical significance of the free ports of Tangier and Gibraltar. Savoldi examines how these ports functioned as strategic points in the English Mediterranean, influencing trade routes, colonial ambitions, and diplomatic relations. The analysis sheds light on the complexities of free port status and its implications for regional power dynamics during the period under study.
5. “PortCityFutures: Mindsets and Values, Contestation and Frictions” (2023)
Co-authored with V. Baptist and C. Hein, this article in the NESCUS European Journal of Media Studies investigates the diverse mindsets and values that shape port city interfaces. The study addresses the contestations and frictions arising from differing stakeholder perspectives, including port authorities, city planners, local communities, and environmental groups. The authors propose a framework for understanding and navigating these complexities, aiming to foster more inclusive and sustainable port city developments.
6. “Ports, Citizens and Frictions: Emergent Eco-Territorialities on ContestedPorts” (2022)
In this publication, Savoldi examines the emergent eco-territorialities that arise when port expansions intersect with citizen activism. The article discusses how infrastructural developments often lead to environmental and social frictions, prompting communities to mobilize in defense of their territories. Through case studies and the analysis of the “ContestedPorts” platform, Savoldi highlights the role of digital tools in mapping and amplifying these grassroots movements, contributing to a broader understanding of eco-territorial conflicts in port cities.
7. “Awaiting New Borders: Unsettled Maritime Boundaries and Contemporary Disputes in the Adriatic Sea” (2021)
Co-authored with Z. Jancîc and R. Salvador, this article explores the complexities surrounding unsettled maritime boundaries in the Adriatic Sea. The study delves into contemporary disputes, analyzing how historical claims, geopolitical interests, and international law intersect. The authors provide a nuanced understanding of the ongoing tensions and propose potential pathways for conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation.
8. “Waves of Contention: Framing the Complexity of Unresolved EU Maritime Boundary Disputes” (2020)
In collaboration with G. Orsini and B. Germond, Savoldi addresses unresolved maritime boundary disputes within the European Union. The article frames these disputes within a broader geopolitical and legal context, examining the factors that contribute to their persistence. The authors argue for a comprehensive approach that considers historical contexts, economic interests, and the strategic importance of maritime spaces, advocating for policies that promote cooperation and stability in EU waters.
9. “Women, Technology and the Spatiality of Fear: The Challenge of Participatory Mapping and Perceptions of Safety in Urban Spaces” (2017)
This study investigates the intersection of gender, technology, and urban space by exploring how participatory mapping can address women’s perceptions of safety. Savoldi discusses the spatiality of fear experienced by women in urban environments and evaluates the effectiveness of participatory mapping as a tool for identifying and mitigating unsafe areas. The research highlights the potential of community-engaged technological interventions in fostering safer and more inclusive urban spaces.
10. “Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Internet Usage in Post-Conflict Belfast” (2016)
Co-authored with P. Ferraz de Abreu, this article examines the prevalence and dynamics of bullying and cyberbullying among youth in post-conflict Belfast. The study analyzes how internet usage patterns influence these behaviors and discusses the socio-cultural factors unique to post-conflict societies that may exacerbate such issues. The authors suggest targeted interventions and policies to address bullying in both physical and digital spaces, considering the city’s historical and social context.
11. “Internet, Social Capital, and E-Inclusion in Post-Conflict Belfast” (2014)
In this earlier collaboration with P. Ferraz de Abreu, Savoldi explores the role of internet access in building
Conclusion
Francesca Savoldi is an outstanding candidate for Research for Excellence in Research, with a well-rounded profile of academic excellence, impactful publications, and societal engagement. While she already demonstrates research leadership, further expanding her global collaborations and policy influence could enhance her competitiveness for top-tier research awards.