Prof. Sabrina Bresciani

Profile

I am an Associate Professor at the Design Department of Politecnico di Milano (Italy).

I investigate the effectiveness of visual design thinking for systemic innovation and transitions in in the public sector. I specialized in experiments and mixed methods. I’m currently working on the EU-funded project NetZeroCities, developing a learning hub on cities’ climate neutrality, and on the EU-funded project RoadSTEMer, developing a policy roadmap for introducing the arts and creativity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in Europe’s funding schemes.

I have been a visiting researcher at Harvard University (Boston – School of Public Health), the University of Cambridge (U.K. – Computer Laboratory) and the National University of Singapore (Information Systems). Then I worked for 10 years as Assistant Professor at the School of Management of the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland)

I published in interdisciplinary outlets such as: Design Studies, Sustainability, Climate, International Journal of Learning and Change, Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, Computers in Human Behavior, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphic, International Journal of Innovation Management, Journal of Brand Management,  Journal of Product and Brand Management, Journal of Visual Languages and Computing, etc.

At Politecnico di Milano, I teach in the Product Service System Design Final Synthesis Studio (Master), Desining and Testing for Inclusivity (Master, Ambassador in Inclusivity), and Elementi Visivi del Progretto (Bachelor). I regularly provide guest lectures on data visualization at the AI4GoV executive Master in AI for the public sector, and at the Management Engineering School.

Previously, I been an visiting professor at various universities worldwide including the Università della Svizzera italiana (Switzerland), the Central University of Finance and Economics (China), the Universidad del Pacifico (Peru), Aalto University (Finland), Franklin University Switzerland, the American University in Bulgaria, Eurocampus at Universidad Jaume I (Spain) and the University of Freiburg (Germany).I received the Best Paper award from the Frontiers of Business Research in China International Symposium and from the International Conference of Information Visualization, and two personal research grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation.

I am listed in the official directory of researchers on sensory processing sensitivity, and I have certifications in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills with Marsha Linehan, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and the HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) certification from the Nickerson Institute of Integrative Health (Canada). I am on the editorial board on the scientific journal She Ji.

I lived in 8 countries, have two multicultural children, and I am the founder a of Kolours, a non-profit organization for scientific dissemination in the context of mental health and wellbeing. I established a social enterprise of girls with physical disabilities in India through design. I am the co-founder and vice-president of Alice nel Paese delle Meraviglie (“Alice in Wonderlands”), a non-for-profit organization that supports the parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Education

National University of Singapore:
Visiting researcher 2009-2010. Host: Prof. B.C.Y Tan.

Harvard University, School of Public Health, U.S.A.:
Visiting researcher 2009. Host. Prof. S.V. Subramanian.

University of Cambridge, Computer Laboratory, U.K.:
Visiting researcher 2007. Host: Prof. Alan Blackwell.

Ph.D. Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland. Summa cum laude.
Institute of Marketing and Communication Management.

M.Sc. Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland.
Communication and Economics, Major in Corporate Communication.

BA Politecnico di Milano, Italy.
Industrial Design, Major in Communication Design.

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Lived in 8 countries: Switzerland (St. Gallen and Lugano), U.S. (Virginia and Boston), Spain, Germany, Singapore, U.K., Italy, India
Additional work experience in: Finland, Bulgaria, Peru and China.

Funds and Awards

2022- Impact Award (with Sebastian Kernbach and Martin Eppler) – University of St. Gallen
2015 – Best paper proceedings, Academy of Management Meeting 2015, Vancouver, Canada.
2014 – Best Paper award at the Frontiers of Business Research Symposium, Beijing, China
2013 – Best Paper award at the International Conference of Information Visualization IV13
2012 – Swiss National Science Foundation: two-year project funds on Knowledge Visualization for Intercultural Collaboration
2011 – Academy of Management: Carolyn Dexter Award nomination (MOC division)
2011 – IADIS Conference: Best Paper proceedings
2011 – XXII ISPIM Conference: Best Paper award nomination
2010 – International Conference of Information Visualization (IV10): best paper award
2009 – SNSF (Swiss National Science Foundation) 10-month research grant for conducting cross-cultural research
2009 – SNSF conference grant
2009 – Gender Service research grant for conducting research (multilevel analysis) at Harvard University
2008 – SNSF personal research grant