Profile
In 2025, Massimo was awarded a PhD in Diplomacy and International Governance from Loughborough University London. His thesis, titled “Humiliating Negotiations? The Rejection of Turkey’s European Identity and its Authoritarian Consequences”, explored how EU-Turkey accession talks have influenced domestic political developments.
During his doctoral studies, he also worked as a Research Assistant on various projects examining the role of civil society in fragile democratic contexts, including Turkey, India, Peru, Nigeria, and Syria. As part of his academic training, he was a UACES-Renpet Visiting Fellow at Sabancı University and a Visiting Fellow at Koç University, both in Istanbul, Turkey.
Alongside his research role at Loughborough University London, Massimo is a Lecturer in Social Sciences at the University of Greenwich. He previously held a similar role at the University of East London. In recognition of his teaching experience in higher education, he was awarded Associate Fellowship of Advance HE (AFHEA) in July 2024. He has also served as Postgraduate Network Events Officer for the British International Studies Association (BISA).
Research
Massimo’s primary research interests lie in the study of emotions in international politics, particularly how emotions intersect with national and European identity, as well as the role of civil society. He has a strong focus on EU–Turkey relations and broader questions of democratic backsliding, identity politics, and international governance.
Interests and activities
Massimo's main interest is politics. From 2011 till 2013, he was national representative of 'Federazione degli Studenti', an Italian student union affiliated with the Democratic Party. Massimo also loves travelling (his best trip Brasil 2017), reading (I have proudly completed Infinite Jest!), watching TV series and being sociable. During the pandemic, he has also discovered a new interest in running.