is Full Professor in Economic Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Macerata. As an economic sociologist he has focused his research interests in two fields: a) welfare state studies from a comparative perspective, with specific attention to the Italian and Southern European welfare states, social policies, inequalities in the access to welfare state provision, occupational welfare, welfare mix and third sector organizations; b) labour market research and economic development, with a focus on the changing roles of professionals, networks among enterprises, strategies for competitiveness, and the role of migrants in the labour market. He is a National Expert for Italy of the European Commission Expert Network ESPN (European Social Policy Network). He is currently co-editor of the Journal of European Social Policy.