Biography of
Marco Camisani Calzolari

Expert in Strategic Communication with a Specialization in Digital

Marco Camisani Calzolari is a university professor, consultant, author, science communicator, public figure, and Cyberhumanist. He is also a Knight of the Republic in the Order of the Star of Italy, an Honorary Police Officer, and a Freeman of the City of London.

Thanks to his extensive knowledge of technology, he emerged as a pioneer in Italy’s digital sector, dedicating his entire professional life to a single mission: making the digital world more understandable and user-friendly so that technology remains a tool in human hands, rather than the other way around.

Alongside a long academic career, both in Italy and abroad, he has consistently pursued his passion for science communication. Through numerous radio and television programs, he has reached a wide audience over the years, helping Italians become more aware of the dynamics, opportunities, and risks posed by the digital world.

In addition to his academic and communication endeavors, he has held various institutional roles in Italy, including a recent appointment as an expert for the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) and a position from the Prime Minister’s Office as an expert on the committee defining the country’s AI strategies. He currently serves as the digital correspondent for “Striscia La Notizia,” acts as a spokesperson for the Postal Police in prevention and awareness campaigns about online risks, and consults for the Department of Digital Transformation.

Note: Unless otherwise specified, the listed activities have been carried out in Italy.

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Institutional Roles

  • European Commission

    Member of the European Commission's working group dedicated to drafting the Code of Conduct on General Purpose AI (from 2024 to present).

  • National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN)

    Expert advisor for the italian agency (from 2024 to present).

  • Department for Digital Transition - Presidency of the Council of Ministers

    Expert in digital matters and digital skills development (from 2024 to present).

  • Presidency of the Council of Ministers

    Member of the Coordination Committee for updating the national strategy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (from 2023 to present).

  • Presidency of the Council of Ministers

    Spokesperson for the television and radio advertising campaign promoting the use of the Electronic Identity Card (CIE) enabled by the CIE ID app (2024).

  • Department for Digital Transition - Presidency of the Council of Ministers

    Curator and host of D.InfoTalk, the video-podcast promoted by the Department for Digital Transformation under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (2024).

  • State Police

    Spokesperson for the Postal Police, engaging in educational activities on cybersafety and cyber hygiene (from 2022 to present).

  • Carabinieri

    Contributor to educational segments on prevention topics (2022).

  • Minister of Infrastructure and Transport

    Digital consultant supporting the development of the ministry's website and curating the multimedia journey of Grande Cantiere Italia.

  • Region of Veneto

    Contributor to the drafting of the 2013–2015 programmatic document, Agenda Digitale del Veneto.

  • Politics and Institutions

    Advisor on communication, propaganda, fake news, and post-truth topics (since 2004), under a confidentiality agreement.

Academic Roles

  • San Raffaele University - UNISR Vita Salute - Milan

    Adjunct Professor of the elective course Cyber-Humanities within the Master of Medicine and Surgery program (from 2024 to present).

  • San Raffaele University - UNISR Vita Salute - Milan

    Scientific Coordinator and Instructor of the Level I Master's Program in Health Communication and Science (from 2024 to present).

  • Sapienza University of Rome

    Member of the Advisory Board of the ImpreSapiens Research Center (from 2023 to present).

  • Imperial College London

    Member of the Advisory Committee (from 2018 to 2022).

  • European University of Rome

    Adjunct Professor and Course Coordinator for Digital Communication and Fake News (from 2017 to 2022).

  • University of Pavia

    Adjunct Professor and Course Coordinator for Business Digital Communication (from 2016 to 2017).

  • Sapienza University of Rome

    Head of Networking and Public Relations Activities for the SAPeri & Co Project (Sapienza Enhances Research, Innovation, and Coworking), a research and service infrastructure aimed at enhancing the excellence and innovation of Sapienza University's research and training.

  • IULM University - Milan

    Adjunct Professor and Course Coordinator for Corporate Communication and Digital Languages in the Faculty of Communication, PR, and Advertising (from 2007 to 2010). Co-Coordinator of the course "Marketing of Innovative Projects" within "Computer-Aided Design Systems."

  • University of Foggia

    Adjunct Professor and Course Coordinator for Business Digital Communication (from 2015 to 2017).

  • State University of Milan

    Adjunct Instructor in Digital Marketing and Communication (2007).

  • Brunel University London

    Associate Practitioner at the Center for Culture, Media, and Regulation (CCMR).

  • Other Teaching Roles

    Instructor on "Fake News" at the London School of Economics (LSE) (2018), Instructor in Digital Communication and Fake News at the University of Hawaii (2017), Instructor in Digital Communication at Brunel University London (2012), Instructor in Digital Communication at LCA Business School, Instructor for the IDTV Master’s Program and Interactive Digital Communication at the State University of Milan, Instructor for MASTER24 in Marketing and Digital Communication (2012) - Il Sole 24 Ore, Instructor of the first edition of the self-guided course titled "Understanding the Digital Revolution.".

Honors and Awards

  • Keynes Sraffa Award

    Awarded by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK for contributions to the development of digital business between Italy and the UK (2024).

  • Knight of the Republic

    of the Order of the Star of Italy – bestowed by the Head of State Sergio Mattarella, honoring those who have made significant contributions to promoting friendship and collaboration between Italy and other countries (2024).

  • Honorary Police Officer

    Awarded by the Italian State Police as an “Honorary Police Officer” for constant commitment in the fight against cybercrimes and promoting digital security culture (2024).

  • City of London

    “Freedom of the City of London” – one of the oldest English traditions, the “Freedom of the City” is an honor bestowed upon esteemed members of society in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the city.

  • Salvator Mundi

    IT.Difesa. Winner of the Salvator Mundi award for significant contributions to scientific dissemination (2023).

Research

  • UCL Case Study – 2022

    The UCL case study titled "Marco Camisani Calzolari: The Man of the Digital Renaissance" presents Marco's story and how he has democratized the digital world and technology, making them more accessible to Italians.

  • Studies on Fake Twitter Followers – 2012

    Analysis of Twitter followers of major international companies and politicians. Quantitative and qualitative studies of behaviors demonstrated by human beings (presumably real users) or bots (presumably fake users), quantifying the proportion of fans or inactive computer-created users who follow major brands and politicians on Twitter. The study was the first to highlight the problem of fake followers. The outcome of the study generated significant media buzz and received coverage in the international press.

  • REUTERS: "Crowd of Robots on Brands' Twitter Profiles: Study" - FINANCIAL TIMES: "Twitter Bots Enhance Brands – Survey" - THE GUARDIAN: "Hot or Bot? An Italian Professor Casts Doubts on the Popularity of Politicians' Twitter Accounts" - DAILY TELEGRAPH: "Human or 'Bot'? Doubts on the Twitter Followers of Italian Comedian Beppe Grillo" - THE ECONOMIST: "Beware of the Crowd that Tweets"

Dissemination

  • Canale 5

    Striscia la Notizia (TV Program – 2017 to present) Host and expert of the digital segment of "Striscia la Notizia."

  • RAI 1

    Pronto Soccorso Digitale (TV Program – 2014 to 2017) Host and expert of the "Pronto Soccorso Digitale" segment of the program "Uno Mattina in Famiglia."

  • University Seal

    University of Tuscia (Viterbo) University Seal – Awarded in recognition of efforts in scientific dissemination in Italy and abroad (2024).

  • RTL 102.5

    Spazio Tecnologia (Radio Program – 2012 to 2017 and 2024) Participation as a digital expert in the morning news program.

  • Sole 24 Ore

    NOVA, Weekly supplement of "Il Sole 24 Ore" (2009) Author of a regular column dedicated to the web and the digital world.

  • SKY 817

    DIGITALK - Talkshow (TV Program – 2005 to 2006) – Creator, curator, and host of DigiTalk, the first Italian talk show on digital technologies, broadcast daily on SKY 817, the website, and TIM UMTS mobile phones.

  • La7

    Misterweb (TV Program – 2001 to 2002) – Presenter of the weekly TV program "MisterWeb," a show about the Internet, funny videos, and digital culture.

  • Elettroshow

    Elettroshow (Radio Program – 1998).

  • Radio Capital

    Internetworkcity (Radio Program – 1996) – Co-host, alongside Fabio Volo, of the first program in Italy dedicated to the Internet and the digital world.

  • Digiweek

    Creator and curator of Digiweek, hosted by Luca De Biase.

Consulting Engagements

  • Atlantia

    Digital Transformation Consultant (2016–2017) for Atlantia S.p.A., the holding company for Autostrade per l'Italia, Aeroporti di Roma, and Telepass.

  • Danieli

    Digital Communication Consultant (2016–2017) for Danieli S.p.A., a multinational company ranked among the top three global suppliers of equipment and plants in the metal industry.

  • UKTI

    (now Department for International Trade) Mentor and Judge for a startup investment program sponsored by the British Government.

  • Letizia Moratti

    Digital Campaign Consultant for her mayoral campaign in Milan.

  • Andrea Biondi

    Digital Projects Consultant for the campaign for election to the Chamber of Deputies, Europe constituency, with the Democratic Party.

  • Silvio Berlusconi

    Technical Development Consultant for the platforms Berlusconi.it, Berlusconi.com, and forzasilvio.it, the first social network used by an Italian politician to interact with his followers.

Libri

  • Cyberumanesimo

    Il Sole 24 Ore (2024)

  • The Fake News Bible

    Amazon (2018)

  • Pronto soccorso digitale per le aziende

    Hoepli (2015)

  • Il mondo digitale

    Mondadori (2013)

  • Escape from Facebook

    Carte Scoperte (2012)

  • Impresa 4.0 - marketing e comunicazione digitale a 4 direzioni

    Pearson / Financial Times (2008)

Keynote Speaker

  • 400 Events

    Since the beginning of his career, he has participated in approximately 400 events as a keynote speaker for institutions, companies, and brands.

Designer of Digital Projects

  • Web, app, digital

    IKEA Official Catalog App and Interactive Business Brochure for iPhone/iPad & Android • MTV Italian website (1998/1999), winner of the Sole 24 Ore WWW Award • GREENPEACE - Consultancy for the European campaign against CO₂ and website • IPSOA Wolters Kluwer Course Designer for a Master's in Digital (2009) • ATM Milan, website for the Official Milan Transport Company + ATM App with augmented reality • RTL 102.5 iOS App • Gli Amici di Che Banca! website • Radio 105 website • 883 / Max Pezzali (music group) website • RADIO MONTECARLO website, social media casting • Donna Moderna website and online campaign • Yamaha online contest • Municipality of Milan for the creation of interactive maps • IULM University WebTV • Banca Popolare di Vicenza WebTV • TIMBERLAND social platform • Neri per Caso website • RADIO CAPITAL website • Claudio Cecchetto, for whom in 1996 he created the world's first virtual currency for a web-based game (EnergyBank) as part of another product (InternetworkCity), the first Italian web-based social network.

Entrepreneur

  • IETV UK

    Italian Expats Television UK - CEO & fondatore (dal 2018 al 2021) Italian Expats Television UK - CEO & Founder (2018 to 2021) Italian Expats Television UK. The television channel for Italians in the United Kingdom.

  • Megashouts Ltd. - Londra

    CEO & fondatore (dal 2015 al 2017) CEO & Founder (2015 to 2017) A social media amplifier that allows sending a message to the recipient that cannot be ignored thanks to multimedia mechanisms initiated by Socialbombing. The recipient receives the message through multiple channels: social networks, newspapers, TV, radio, online advertising, banners, flyers, billboards, and other channels capable of generating media buzz.

  • LivePetitions Ltd. – London

    London - CEO & Founder (2007 to 2018) The international platform for collecting signatures livepetitions.com, now available in 10 countries worldwide, with English, Italian, and French versions (www.firmiamo.it and www.jesigne.fr), leader in the activism sector with 2 million active users.

  • Speakage – Milan / London

    CEO & fondatore (dal 2004 al 2017) Una compagnia che sviluppa piattaforme web white label come Social Network, WebTV, Social Media e Sistemi Virali per le maggiori compagnie internazionali.

  • AudioRete Srl – Milan

    CEO & fondatore (dal 1999 al 2001) CEO & Founder (1999 to 2001) Audio productions for Business or the Digital sector. In 2000, produced Radio3210.com, the first Italian on-demand radio station with programming of new formats that could be downloaded on demand, 5 years before podcasts.

  • UnoPortals S.p.A – Milan

    Founder and shareholder (1998 to 1999) with Ibiz Group s.a. (Luxembourg), founded UnoPortals S.p.A. for the production of internet platforms.

  • QuickWedding Srl – Milan

    Fondatore (1997) Founder (1997) Producer of Matrimonionline, the first website for virtual online weddings.

Other

  • ATED Digital Night

    Winner of the ATED award dedicated to talents who have revolutionized the digital world (2024).

  • Premio Nazionale Comunicazione Costruttiva

    PensieroSolido Foundation. Winner of the "Best TV Science Communicator" award (2023).

  • Member of IFJ, International Federation of Journalists

    The largest journalism union worldwide.

  • Member of NUJ, National Union of Journalists

    The journalists' union of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

  • Member of Company of Communicators

    One of London's corporations.

  • Ultima Razzia

    TV show with Patrizio Roversi and Susy Blady - Co-author of the TV program (2004).

  • Corriere Della Sera (2011)

    Promoter of an advertising page aimed at convincing politicians to adopt a digital agenda on par with other European countries.

  • Corriere Della Sera

    Participated as a technology speaker at the CasaCorriere meeting week organized during Expo Milano.

  • Metamondo

    Published "Metamondo," a song and music video that serves as a manifesto for digital freedom (2003).

  • Ambassador of E-Skills for Jobs

    The European Commission on digital competence.

  • Member of MENSA UK

    The international association for individuals with high IQ.

  • Awarded Excellence in Communication

    In 2000, the Cogno Communication Study Center in Rome awarded him the prize.

Volunteer Teaching

  • Kensington Aldridge Academy, UK

  • City and Islington Sixth Form College, UK

  • Victoria Centre, London

  • Westminster Kingsway College, UK

  • All Saints Catholic School and technology college, UK

  • Holland Park School, UK

  • Kensington Aldridge Academy, UK

  • Rosedale College, UK

  • Dagenham Park CofE school, UK

  • Brentford School for Girls, UK

Marco Camisani Calzolari

Marco has worked in the digital field for 35 years and is a university professor, consultant, author, science communicator, public figure, and Cyberhumanist. He is a Knight of the Republic in the Order of the Star of Italy and a Freeman of the City of London.