Valeria Giannotta is an academic specialising in international relations and Turkish politics. Since 2009, she has been active in Turkey as a researcher and lecturer in Istanbul, Gaziantep, and Ankara. She is the scientific director of the Turkey Observatory at CeSPI (Center for International Political Studies) and a lecturer in Turkish politics at Unicusano University and Accord University in Mogadishu. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Apri International (Confprofessioni) and the delegate for international relations at PLP (Independent Psychologists), as well as director of the research center of the Union of Italian Honorary Consuls (UCOI). As an expert on Turkey, she is the author of articles presented at national and international conferences, regularly participates in high-level strategic meetings, and contributes to Italian and international media. Her book “Erdogan and His Party: The AKP Between Reformism and Conservatism” (Castelvecchi) received the 2018 Cerruglio Award. For her objective analysis and commitment to supporting Italian diplomacy in Turkey, Valeria Giannotta was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy by the Presidency of the Italian Republic in recognition of her work in support of Italian diplomacy in Turkey.