I am a scholar of public administration and cultural policy, with distinct but complementary research agendas in each field. In public administration, my work investigates how implementation processes unfold across different governance settings. Drawing on empirical studies in Italy, I have demonstrated that implementation outcomes hinge on public leaders’ discretionary capacity, context-sensitive leadership styles, and ability to manage emotional dynamics. I have examined how leadership functions within bureaucracies, collaborative networks, and emergency response systems—particularly during the COVID-19 crisis—highlighting patterns such as bureaucratic managerialism and the role of emotional energy in sustaining action under pressure. In cultural policy, I study how institutions operate within hybrid governance structures that bridge public, private, and nonprofit sectors. I have analyzed how this hybridity affects organizational autonomy, accountability, and sustainability. My work also investigates the effectiveness of arts funding models, highlighting the limits of traditional public subsidies in stimulating innovation, and exploring alternative approaches such as vouchers and strategic philanthropy. Finally, I examine cultural participation, showing how political values, religiosity, and digital access shape engagement patterns, and how institutions can implement structural strategies to promote broader inclusion and diversity.