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 Analysis, Management and Evaluation of Public Policies (AGAPP), through her affiliation to the IGOP (Institute of Government and Public Policies). She is the current Secretary/Treasurer of ISA RC52 “Sociology of Professional Groups” board. She is also member of the academic commission of the PhD program in Political Science, Public Policies and International Relations (PPIR). 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.