hosted by Professor Tito Cordella


GIANMARCO OTTAVIANO

Gianmarco Ottaviano is Professor of Economics and Boroli Chair in European Studies at Bocconi University, having previously taught at the London School of Economics and the University of Bologna. He is co-Director of the Research Unit on Globalization and Industry Dynamics of the Bocconi Centre Baffi-CAREFIN, having previously directed the Trade Programme of the Centre of Economic Performance in London. He received a BA in Economics at Bocconi University, a M.Sc. in Economics at the London School of Economics, and a Ph.D. in Economics at the Université Catholique de Louvain. Ottaviano has published many works in international trade, urban economics and economic geography. His recent publications focus on the competitiveness of firms in the global economy as well as the economic effects of immigration and offshoring on employment and wages.

ALESSANDRO MERLI

Alessandro Merli is Associate Fellow at SAIS Europe. Merli is an economist and award-winning journalist. He is adjunct professor at the Bologna Business School (Università di Bologna). The main focus of his research is currently the European Central Bank. He is a member of the research and policy network on central bank communication, created by the Centre for Economic Policy Research with the cooperation of the ECB. He is a contributor to the Global Watch of the Istituto Studi di Politica Internazionale and is also an independent director at the Italian bank, Credito Emiliano. Merli was previously Frankfurt correspondent/ECB watcher, columnist, financial editor and UK correspondent at Il Sole 24 Ore (1985-2017). In 2014 he was voted best teacher in the Global MBA program at the Bologna Business School. He has taught at the universities of Parma (2008-2010) and Modena/Reggio Emilia (2002-2004). Mr. Merli received the following recognition for his journalism: IV Italy-Latin America Conference, special award of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2009); Citigroup Award for Journalistic Excellence, winner, 1st Italian edition (2002); and Order of the Southern Cross from the President of Brazil (2002). He is a graduate in Law of the Università di Modena (1981) and holds an MA in Economics from the University of Illinois (1987). He was a Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1993).