About me

Professional Biography

I am a sociologist and academic researcher dedicated to uncovering the mechanisms behind digital stratification and social inequality in the 21st century.

I am currently an Associate Professor in Media and Communication Studies at Sharjah University (UAE) From 2012 to 2024, I was based at Northumbria University, Newcastle (UK). Additionally, I hold the position of Honorary Professor at the Faculty of Journalism, Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia). Before joining the University of Northumbria, I worked at the University of Sassari (Italy) from 2006 to 2012.

 

Research Focus & Global Roles

My research focuses on digital inequalities, digital capital, and the societal implications of artificial intelligence. It examines how digital technologies shape social stratification, access to opportunities, and the distribution of resources across different contexts. My work contributes to theoretical and empirical debates on digital inequalities and informs policy discussions on digital inclusion and sustainability.

I am co-chair of the Digital Divide Working Group (IAMCR) co-convenors of NINSO (Northumbria Internet and Society Research Group)  ambassador for Digital Poverty Alliance, and a member of the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab. I am co-editor of the Palgrave Studies in Digital Inequalities book series, a Senior Series Editor for Emerald Studies in Media and Communications and I am on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Emerald Open Research.

Key Publications

I have published 9 monographs (Routledge, Palgrave, Emeralds Publishing), 8 edited books (Palgrave, Routledge, Lexington Books and Amsterdam University Press), edited 10 special issues and more than 80 articles and chapters. I have published in English, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and Portuguese.

My last books include Digital-Environmental Poverty. Digital and environmental inequalities in the post-covid era (with Maria Laura Ruiu), Palgrave, 2024; Enhancing Digital Equity. Connecting the digital underclass (Palgrave, 2020); Digital Capital. A Bourdieusian approach to Digital Divide (with Maria Laura Ruiu) Emerald 2020; Digital Inequalities in the Global South (co-edited with Anna Gladkova) Palgrave 2020; Digital Inclusion. An International Comparative Analysis (co-edited with Bruce Mutsvairo), Lexington Books 2018; Theorizing the Digital Divide (co-edited with G Muschert), Routledge (2017); The third Digital Divide: a Weberian approach to Digital Inequalities (2017), Routledge; The Digital Divide: The Internet and Social Inequality in International Perspective (co-edited with G Muschert) (2013), Routledge.

Teaching Philosophy & Student Feedback

Beyond my research and publications, I consider the classroom a vital space for critical dialogue, where theoretical frameworks are tested and shared with the next generation of digital citizens.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), with a diverse and international teaching background spanning over a decade. I have had the privilege of designing and delivering a wide range of Media and Sociology courses at different institutions across the globe, including the University of Sassari (2006-2012), Northumbria University (2012-2023), and Sharjah University (2024-present). Beyond these, I have taught in Italy, Spain, Singapore, Brazil, China, Russia, Austria, Mexico, UAE, Iran, Palestine, Poland, and the UK, contributing to the development of students worldwide.

In my teaching philosophy, I focus on fostering intellectual engagement and critical thinking. I encourage students to not only read and understand the material but to also question and explore issues from diverse perspectives. My aim is to challenge students to expand their thinking and develop a deeper understanding of the subjects they are studying.

My commitment to teaching excellence has been consistently recognized by students, with positive feedback reflecting my ability to engage and inspire. I have received outstanding evaluations in annual teaching assessments and have been nominated six times for a teaching award. Here are just a few examples of the excellent feedback I’ve received:

• “Always goes out of his way to ensure we have the understanding and the skills required to carry out our work” (Student Led Teaching 2015)
• “Massimo is an excellent lecturer, who always prepares well for lectures and encourages students to speak their minds” (Student Led Teaching 2017)
• “A great person, a great engaging lecturer, and a beacon of information and brilliance” (Student Led Teaching 2018)
• “He shows a lot of passion and enthusiasm in teaching the class and has a way of explaining things that makes him stand out from other ‘teachers’ I have come across in my life” (Student Led Teaching 2019)

Teaching Areas

• Digital inequalities and digital divides
• Digital capital and social stratification
• Media and communication theory
• Digital media and society
• Artificial intelligence and society
• Internet studies and platform dynamics

International Teaching and Visiting Roles

In addition to my regular teaching responsibilities, I have been honored to serve as a visiting professor and lecturer at a number of prestigious institutions around the world. Some of my notable recent engagements include:

• October 2023: Visiting Professor, University of Warsaw (Poland)
• September 2023: Visiting Professor, Lanzhou University (China)
• November 2022: Invited Lecturer, Salzburg University, Master in Digital Communication Leadership (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master)
• November 2021: Invited Lecturer, Salzburg University, Master in Digital Communication Leadership (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master)
• November 2020: Invited Lecturer (online), Salzburg University, Master in Digital Communication Leadership (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master)
• Nov-Dec 2019: Visiting Scholar, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
• July 2019: Lecturer, Europe-China Dialogue PhD Summer School, Beijing
• May-June 2018: Visiting Lecturer, Kaplan University, Singapore
• April 2018: Visiting Lecturer, Financial University under the Russian Federation Government
• April 2018: Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Journalism, Lomonosov Moscow State University
• October 2017: Visiting Lecturer, Kaplan University, Singapore
• May 2017: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano (Switzerland)
• March 2017: Visiting Lecturer, Kaplan University, Singapore
• November 2016: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo, Norway
• June 2016: Visiting Researcher, Escola de Comunicações e Artes (ECA), Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
• December 2014: Visiting Lecturer, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
• February 2014: Visiting Lecturer, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico

Through these diverse teaching experiences, I continue to refine my approach and remain deeply committed to offering an enriching and dynamic educational experience for all my students.

Supervision