Since the Bank of Italy launched the programme in 2007, about 40 fellowships have been awarded and nearly all fellows have decided to stay on as economists in the Directorate General for Economics, Statistics and Research. Below you can read about some of them.
Margherita Bottero
Policy questions provide a tremendous contribution to shaping my research agenda, and the exceptional availability of micro-level data at the Bank allows me to pursue the answers with advanced empirical tools. Living in Rome is a fantastic way to experience some of the best of Italy: art, culture and nature are easily accessible all year round - and with its central location, the Bank makes it possible to take a stroll around the Roman forum during lunch breaks.
Stefania Villa
Working at the Bank of Italy is intellectually very stimulating. After the first year of the Fellowship, entirely devoted to research, I joined the Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy Directorate. I really appreciate the nice work atmosphere and the great experience and knowledge gathered thanks to the interactions with my colleagues. Research questions continuously arise while dealing with policy issues. Moreover, seminars, conferences, and training courses give me the possibility to discuss with researchers from the rest of the world.
Anatoli Segura
My research interests belong to the field of the Economics of banking and the regulation of the financial sector. Upon the completion of my PhD, I wanted to work in a policy institution so that my research could both benefit from the policy debate and influence it. Six years on, working at the Bank of Italy has fully been up to my expectations.
Dario Ruzzi
My time spent at the Bank of Italy as a research fellow was challenging, engaging and, above all else, excellent preparation for life as a policy-oriented researcher and economist. On the one hand, the fellowship allowed me to pursue my research interests full-time in the area of financial markets linkages, and on the other hand, it dramatically enhanced the nature of conducting research for me, at least on the policy side of the equation. Thanks to the wide range of seminars and training courses, the outstanding facilities and the amazingly vibrant researcher community at the Bank, I have gained invaluable skills, contributed to the policy debate in many areas, made some amazing friends and built my network of contacts.
Audinga Baltrunaite
As a researcher at the Bank of Italy, I have been able to develop both my research skills, and grow professionally. The working environment provides multiple opportunities to interact with colleagues from different fields and to be constantly exposed to a policy debate. Attending and organizing research events at the Bank allows me to maintain a close link with the academic environment. Last, but not least, Rome is an extremely beautiful city to live in!
Gabriele Rovigatti
For those who come from academia, working at the Bank is both a challenging and a highly rewarding experience. I have been surrounded by a team of young, talented, and well-prepared colleagues with diverse backgrounds, with whom I have conducted policy-relevant as well as academic-oriented research. The Bank of Italy strives for excellence as an institution, and we are constantly encouraged to advance individually as researchers. In addition, working and living in Rome is priceless.
Paolo Conteduca
The Fellowship at the Bank of Italy was a priceless chance to refine some past research projects, focus on new ideas, and gradually enter into contact with colleagues at the Bank. The environment at the Bank proved extremely friendly, inclusive, cooperative, and helpful. Besides interacting with my colleagues, I also benefited from attending high-quality seminars, conferences, and courses. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and being newly hired, I felt part of something, a member of a fantastic team. For these reasons, I consider the Bank of Italy ideal for people interested in policy-relevant questions, cutting-edge research, and great working conditions.
Valerio Ercolani
I started my experience at the Bank after six years spent at the Economic Department of Bank of Portugal. Here, I had the possibility to pursue my research agenda which, by the way, gained quality because of the interactions with smart colleagues and top-level visitors. I devoted part of my time to carrying on policy tasks, which often provided me with new ideas for further research projects. Importantly, high-level skills always meet kindness here at the Bank.
Fadi Hassan
I have joined the Bank of Italy after working four years as an assistant professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin. The research time is as extensive as in academia and the policy work substitutes teaching and admin duties which feeds greatly into your research. The Bank offers a stimulating environment, it is well placed in the international circuit of seminars and workshops, and it provides access to exceptional data that enable you to develop cutting edge research. Moreover, the package of work-life balance that Rome and the Bank offer is quite remarkable. Bottom line: if you want to develop high-quality research while enjoying the beauties of life, come over!
