1.          What was your favourite subject at university?

Anthropology. I graduated in sociology with a profile in media and communication, but I realized I was an anthropologist at heart.

2.          Did you ever fail an exam? If so, which subject?

As far as I remember, no, I have never failed an exam. But I tend to forget unpleasant memories

3.          What is the strangest thing you have ever done to relieve study stress?

I am not sure this qualifies as strange, but during my PhD I practiced Shaolin Kung-Fu. I trained three evenings a week after spending all day at my desk. I became quite strong. I was strong enough to break large and thick pieces of wood with a single kick. I loved it!

4.          What was your most memorable student experience?

During my universities years, I was involved in many activities outside academia. I participated in grass-root movements, in the organizations of artistic and cultural events, and travelled around the world. I visited the Zapatista communities in Chiapas, Mexico. I went to Palestine during the second intifada and took part in demonstrations against the occupation in the West-Bank. I cycled from Beirut to Damascus all the way to the Jordanian border. I volunteered in Cameroun on HIV-prevention projects, and participated in the anti G8 movement in Genova in 2001.   

5.          Have you ever had a student job? What was it?

Yes, many. I loved travelling and I didn’t want to rely on my parents’ support. I worked as waitress in a friend’s restaurant, but I was fired after a few days because I accidentally spilled oily food on a customer, and then mixed up the plates. I then worked in a bar, but was also fired after few days because my cocktails had the wrong proportions of alcohol! I then worked as educator for children, as baby-sitter, as social worker. And these jobs lasted much longer…

6.          If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

My younger self was wiser than I am now. I knew how to enjoy life and how to be kind and generous with others.

7.          If you hadn't become a professor, what would you be doing now?

I would probably be working in the humanitarian or international development sector.

8.          What was your first thought today?

I need more sun

9.          What is your favourite book, and why?

I don’t have one favourite book now, but as a child I read The Neverending story by Michael Ende several times. I loved it!

10.     What music or artist do you like to listen to?

Italian musicians from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s - Gianna Nannini, Fabrizio De Andre’, Alberto Camerini, Raffaella Carra’, Franco Battiato, and many others…

11.     If you could meet one historical figure, who would it be and why?

I have never been particularly interested in individual figures or heroes…But whenever I walk around old streets and buildings, or across valleys and mountains, I wonder what they looked like centuries ago.

12.     What is a travel destination that is still on your bucket list?

Too many to count… As I child, I dreamed of visiting every place on the planet, and I still like to believe that I can get close to it  

13.     What is your favourite way to spend a free Sunday?

I have not had a free Sunday since becoming a mother!

14.     What is the most interesting thing you have learned recently (outside your field of expertise)?

How to change diapers and how to become the mother of a little human being that is entirely dependent on you

15.     What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

As a 12 years old scout, I hiked through the Alps with my peers and slept outdoor at over 2500 metres, with no adults supervising us. 

16.     What is your most precious possession?

I am not sure…I am used to the ephemerality and transience of things

17.     How do you relax?

With a good glass of wine

18.     Do you have a hidden talent that your students don't know about?

I was a classical pianist and won several competitions as a child and teen-ager.

19.     When you look to the future, what do you see?

I would like to be more optimistic, but the current world situation is gloomy. Genocide and many other wars have been happening in front of our eyes and nobody has been able to stop them.

20.     What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

The best things in life often come from moments of bravery and the willingness to step outside our comfort zone