Lara Maestripieri holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Research, granted by the University of Trento (2011). She is distinguished researcher “Ramon y Cajal” in the Department of Political Science at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. She is also a member of the Research group I-GOP Grup d'Estudis en Innovació, Governança i Polítiques Públiques, 2021 (SGR 01011 Q0818002H), through her affiliation to the IGOP (Institute of Government and Public Policies). She is the current Vicepresident of ISA RC52 “Sociology of Professional Groups” board. Her research interests concern social change in post-industrial society and in particular: public policies and intersectionality, economic insecurity in Southern European countries, social innovation and emerging professions.