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Research Center on Digital Innovation and Big Data

The Digital Data Lab promotes interdisciplinary research, allowing researchers from various disciplines to combine their expertise to address complex challenges in the management and interpretation of digital data. This synergy aims to generate innovative results, contributing to the effective understanding and application of digital information.

The lab develops computational and statistical methods that are key to organizing, processing, and analyzing the vast volumes of data generated by heterogeneous digital processes. We explore opportunities offered by scientific, economic, and humanistic disciplines in utilizing this information, with the primary goal of providing a solid infrastructure for the collection, processing, and analysis of quantitative, textual, and graphical data, regardless of their structure (e.g., structured databases or unstructured content such as videos, images, and social media posts). These activities aim to transform digital data into meaningful information and establish reliable digital archives.

Objectives and Main Research Activities

  • Develop machine learning-based methodologies for designing recommendation algorithms.
  • Utilize digital data for service personalization.
  • Define “digital twins” to analyze human behavior in different contexts.
  • Develop new computational and statistical methodologies for digital data analysis.
  • Explore and use digital information to contribute to research in various fields, such as science, economics, and humanities.
  • Create a collaborative environment where researchers from different disciplines can share knowledge and expertise to tackle common challenges.
  • Contribute to the training of students capable of managing and analyzing large amounts of digital data.
  • Provide support and consultancy to public and private entities in interpreting and applying digital data to make informed decisions.
  • Conduct research on digital data ethics and security, ensuring privacy and protection of sensitive information.
  • Collaborate with industries and academic institutions to apply the knowledge and methodologies developed in the lab to real-world problems.
  • Monitor and adapt to technological changes and new challenges in the field of digital data to stay at the forefront of research and practical application.

Activities to date

In recent years, the lab has focused on a wide range of topics, including human mobility, entertainment, advertising, online learning, music streaming, and vaccine perception.

Research by the Digital Data Lab has produced significant results, published in journals and presented at international scientific conferences.

Composition

Directors:

  • Prof. Marco Furini (INF/01, Computer Science)
  • Prof. Maria Cristiana Martini (SECS-S/05, Social Statistics)

Members:

  • Prof. Cinzia Bianchi (M-FIL/05, Philosophy and Theory of Languages)
  • Dr. Roberto Cavicchioli (INF/01, Computer Science)
  • Prof. Nicola Maria Dusi (L-ART/06, Cinema, Photography, and Television)
  • Prof. Riccardo Ferretti (SECS-P/11, Economics of Financial Intermediaries)
  • Prof. Giovanna Galli (SECS-P/08, Economics and Management of Enterprises)
  • Prof. Cristina Guardiano (L-LIN/01, Glottology and Linguistics)
  • Prof. Arianna Lazzini (SECS-P/07, Business Economics)
  • Prof. Federico Montanari (SPS/08, Sociology of Cultural and Communicative Processes)
  • Prof. Anna Francesca Pattaro (SECS-P/07, Business Economics)
  • Prof. Elvira Pelle (SECS-S/05, Social Statistics)
  • Prof. Marcello Tedeschi (SECS-P/08, Economics and Management of Enterprises)

Contacts:

Headquarters: Viale A. Allegri, 9 - 42121 Reggio Emilia
Email: digitaldatalab@unimore.it 
Reception: by appointment 
Website: www.digitaldatalab.unimore.it