Lorenzo is an Italian academic with experience in research, social media, TV production and journalism both in Italy and the United Kingdom. He researched and published in the field of critical theory of technology and social movement theory. In particular, Lorenzo focused on the relationship between technological design and social movement activities, such as mobilization strategies, organizational patterns, and collective identity building processes.
Lorenzo completed a PhD at CAMRI (Communication and Media Research Institute), at the University of Westminster in June 2014. In 2008, the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) has rated CAMRI as the best media and communication research centre in the United Kingdom. His PhD research is in the field of social media, political communication and the democratic potential of the Internet. Lorenzo investigated the influence of commercial social media on social movement organizations, in terms of, respectively: life-cycle, organizational processes, mobilization strategies, repertoire of contention, and collective identity.
He is also member of the Editorial Board of WPCC (Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture) where he co-edited a special issue entitled “The Role of Social Media in Arab Uprisings – Past and Present”.
Lorenzo’s principal research interests lie in the social, political, and economic implications of digital media and social technologies. His teaching interests include courses in communication and society, social media, advertising, ethics, and digital technologies.