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Cosimo Marco Scarcelli

I am an Associate Professor of Sociology of Cultural and Communicative Processes at the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA) of the University of Padua.

My work focuses on the intersections of media, technology, intimacy, gender and sexuality, with particular attention to younger generations.

My research interests include romantic relationships and media use, technology-mediated sexual interactions, pornography, masculinities in digital spaces, online gender-based violence, dating apps, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a companion, friend or confidant, and the role of digital spaces in building more inclusive environments.

Outreach & Collaboration

Training, Public Speaking & Collaboration

An important part of my work consists in translating academic research into educational activities and public engagement initiatives. I believe that research should not remain confined to academia, but should become a tool to foster critical thinking, dialogue, and social awareness.
For this reason, I often collaborate with associations, NGOs, companies, schools, public institutions, and cultural organizations to design and lead training activities, workshops, and seminars. I work with educators, teachers, parents, professionals, and young people on topics related to media, gender, sexuality, intimacy, the critical use of digital technologies, and artificial intelligence.
My approach combines research-based knowledge with participatory and accessible methodologies, creating spaces where complex and sensitive issues can be discussed openly and critically. Alongside these training activities, I also regularly participate as a speaker in conferences, public events, festivals, and media initiatives focused on digital cultures and social change, and I am always open to collaborating with journalists, media outlets, and public communication projects interested in these themes.

Academic life

Research, publications and networking

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to participate in many national and international conferences, sharing my research and engaging in conversations with scholars, educators, activists, and professionals working on digital media and social change. One of the aspects I value most in academia is the possibility of building international connections and collaborative spaces for discussion, exchange, and collective reflection.
I have coordinated national and international research networks and collaborated with international universities and interdisciplinary research groups working on digital cultures, media, intimacy, gender, sexuality, youth, and emerging technologies. These experiences have allowed me to contribute to collective research projects, workshops, conferences, and publications, fostering ongoing dialogue across different countries and academic traditions.
Alongside these activities, I have coordinated and contributed to several national and international research projects focused on digital media, education, gender, and social transformation. My work has been published in peer-reviewed international journals such as New Media & Society, Information, Communication & Society, and the Journal of Gender Studies, among others. I see research not only as an academic practice, but also as a way to create conversations and critical perspectives on the role that technologies play in shaping intimacy, relationships, and emotional lives.

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