Without a minimum of hope, we cannot so much as start the struggle. But without the struggle, hope, as an ontological need, dissipates, loses its bearings, and turns into hopelessness. And hopelessness can beconje tragic despair. Hence the need for a kind of education in hope. Hope, as it happens, is so important for our existence, individual and social, that we must take every care not to experience it in a mistaken form, and thereby allow it to slip toward hopelessness and despair. [Paulo Freire (1994). Pedagogy of Hope. Continuum: New York (p. 9, Translated by Robert R. Barr)]
Award & Honor
In August 2026, she was awarded Honorary Academic Distinction as a member of the Luxembourg Academy of Sciences and Arts (LASA) for the LASA Academic Fields di Social Sciences; Arts, Humanities and Cultural Studies; Interdisciplinary Studies.
*****
She was awarded the “Civica Benemerenza” honor by the Municipality of Laureana Cilento (SA) with the following motivation: “for her eminent contribution to sociological research and the social sciences, in recognition of her dedication and commitment to promoting culture and knowledge” (Municipal Council Resolution no. 70 of 11/08/2025).
New book
(2027). (with L. Picarella). Cultura woke y democratización. Prácticas, problemas, perspectivas. València, España: Pireo Editorial (ISBN: 979-13-992503-4-3) – (DOWNLOAD FREE)
Contemporary societies are characterized by an inextricable link between social structures and platforms, which necessitates a critical reflection on the genuine democratization of the public sphere, the protection of the common good, and the safeguarding of fundamental rights. The central hypothesis of this book is that media outlets function as arenas of struggle and power; its objective is to provide a theoretical framework—enriched by concrete examples—for analyzing the dynamics and challenges posed by certain practices that can be grouped under the umbrella of “woke” culture. In terms of expected outcomes, this book outlines a path for critical reflection on various aspects of symbolic mediation.
(Eds.) (2026) (with M. Sorice and E. Gualda). Routledge International Handbook of Contemporary Communities of Resistance. London-New York: Routledge (ISBN: 978-1-032-99311-9; ISBN: 978-1-032-99314-0; ISBNe: 978-1-003-60344-3; https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003603443).
