Research Team | H-SMA-CE Project

The H-SMA-CE project brings together a distinguished group of researchers from two Italian universities, combining expertise in commodity science, economics, policy analysis, and sustainable development. Our interdisciplinary approach enables comprehensive investigation of circular economy transitions in historical contexts, bridging academic research with practical policy applications.

Lead Partner • RU1

University of Messina

Department of Economics

CUP: J53D23009390006

Principal Investigator

Prof. Giuseppe Ioppolo

Full Professor of Commodity Science

Department of Economics, University of Messina

Giuseppe Ioppolo is a Civil Engineer for Environment with a focus on sustainability and environmental Management, he is a Full Professor of Commodities Science, and a Lecturer in the Technology of Production Cycles and TQM, Department of Economics, University of Messina. He is a member of the Doctoral School of Economics, Management, and Statistics. He is Delegate of the Rector for Relations with Local Enterprises. As Editor-in-Chief of the journal Sustainability, one of the leading international journals on the topic of sustainability, he has served as a referee for Italy and Europe in numerous scientific committees at international conferences. As a Visiting Professor, he has lectured at Tsinghua University (Beijing, China), BJTU MBA (Beijing, China), Tokyo University (Tokyo, Japan), and Santa Barbara University (California, USA). He is the PI for several international programs and is particularly active in China. He has participated in national and international research programs such as Interreg and Horizon. Finally, he has carried out process coordination activities in engineering and spatial planning projects, both in Italy (such as the Aeolian Islands, Sardinia, Valle d'Agrò, etc.) and abroad (Tunisia, Croatia, etc.).

Research Expertise

Circular Economy Industrial Ecology Sustainable Development Environmental Management Regional Planning

ORCID Scopus Google Scholar

Prof. Grazia Calabrò

Full Professor of Commodity Science

Department of Economics, University of Messina

Grazia Calabrò is Full Professor of Commodity Science. Since 2019, she is member of evaluation Committee for extension/renewal of fixed-term researcher at the University of Messina. She is member of the Italian Academy of Commodity Sciences and member of the Association for Innovation and Quality in Sustainable Business (Basiq). She has participated in a number of different working and research groups as principal investigator and co-investigator. Since 2007, she is in the editorial board of the International Journal of Economic Practices and Theories and Calitatea-Access la Success/Quality- Access to Success. Since 2016, she is also external review of Amfiteatru Economic Journal. She has been invited as speaker at national and international conferences. She is author of more than 200 publications on national and international scientific journals, books and proceedings. The scientific and research activity mainly encompasses the following areas: Quality certification (cosmetics, air and cultural good, ethical certification); Environmental management and Certification, Circular Economy, Tourism and Environment, Food quality, safety and security.

Research Expertise

Product Quality Assessment Environmental Certification Material Flow Analysis Agri-food Systems Territorial Valorization

ORCID Scopus

Prof. Giuseppe Caristi

Full Professor of Mathematical Economics

Department of Economics, University of Messina

Giuseppe Caristi is Full Professor of Mathematical for Economics. Associate Research in CNR-IRIB Research National Centre of Institute Innovation Biomedical Innovation Research Institute of Italy. Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Mathematical Analysis and International of Contemporary Mathematical Sciences. Moreover, he serves as Editorial Board Member in Scientifics journal. His Main research interest are: Mathematic for Economics, Optimization Theory, Partial Differential Equations, Nonlinear Analysis, Applied Mathematics. The research team fully respects the gender equality principle in its composition.

Research Expertise

Mathematical Optimization Multi-objective Analysis Statistical Modeling Decision Theory Linear Programming

ORCID Scopus Google Scholar

Recruited Research Staff

Dr. Cristina Ciliberto

PhD in Economics, Management and Statistics

Department of Economics, University of Messina

Cristina Ciliberto received a Ph.D. in Economics, Management and Statistics and has experience working with organizations to improve quality and process capability in different sectors. She is Expert of the Subject in Production Cycles Technology at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Messina and in Quality Management at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Messina. She has published articles and research papers on the topics of Quality Management, Industry 4.0, Lean Production and Circular Supply Chain. She is certified Lean Six Sigma Black belt by Six Sigma Management Institute.

Research Expertise

Circular Economy Assessment Systematic Reviews Stakeholder Analysis Case Study Research Indicator Development

ORCID Scopus Google Scholar

Partner • RU2

University of Naples "L'Orientale"

Department of Human and Social Sciences

CUP: C53D23004860006

Co-Principal Investigator

Prof. Roberta Arbolino

Full Professor of Economic Policy

Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Naples "L'Orientale"

Roberta Arbolino is Full Professor of Economic Policy at the Department of Human and Social Sciences since 2023, where she teaches Economic Policy and Policies for Economic Development. Since 2024, she has served as Deputy Director of DSUS. Her main research areas include regional economics, public policy evaluation, sustainable development, and circular economy. On these topics, she has participated in several research projects as Principal Investigator and research team member; she has also published articles in international journals, including Socioeconomic Planning Sciences, International Economics, Regional Studies, Journal of Common Market Studies, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Energy Policy.

Research Expertise

Policy Evaluation Sustainable Development Regional Policies Regional Economy

ORCID Scopus Google Scholar

Prof. Antonio Lopes

Full Professor of Political Economy

Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Naples "L'Orientale"

Antonio Lopes is Full Professor of Political Economy at the Department of Human and Social Sciences of the Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale" since 2016. His main research areas include the study of development policies, the analysis of theoretical foundations of technical and allocative efficiency analysis with particular focus on econometric techniques for performance measurement, and the study of industrial policies and the role of small and medium enterprises in the development process of depressed areas. He has participated in several research projects and is the author of numerous scientific contributions in national and international scientific journals.

Research Expertise

Industrial Policies Regional Development Local Development Policy

Scopus

Dr. Luisa De Simone

Researcher in Economic Policy

Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Naples "L'Orientale"

Luisa De Simone is a Fixed-Term Researcher (RTD) in Economic Policy. Her research activity is primarily focused on public policy evaluation, regional economics, sustainable development, and development economics. On these topics, she has published in prestigious international journals such as Journal of Cleaner Production, Ecological Indicators, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Waste Management, and Journal of Environmental Management.

Research Expertise

Public Policy Evaluation Regional Economy Sustainable Development Development Economy

ORCID Scopus Google Scholar

Recruited Research Staff

Dr. Ilaria Russo

PhD in Agricultural Economics

Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Naples "L'Orientale"

Ilaria Russo holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics with specialization in rural development and agri-food value chains. Her doctoral research examined the economic sustainability of traditional agricultural practices in Southern Italian regions, with particular attention to viticulture and olive oil production systems. Dr. Russo brings essential expertise on agricultural by-product valorization and rural circular economy to the H-SMA-CE project. Her work focuses on identifying opportunities for closing material loops within agricultural systems and integrating farming activities into broader municipal sustainability strategies. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Taurasi, documenting current agricultural practices and assessing potential for circular economy interventions in wine production and related activities.

Research Expertise

Agricultural Economics Rural Development Agri-food Value Chains Viticulture Economics By-product Valorization

ORCID Scopus Google Scholar

9 Researchers

2 Italian Universities

3 Countries

5+ Disciplines