Mrs. Sara Sampieri | Turismo | Best Researcher Award

Education

Mrs. Sara Sampieri has a diverse academic background that supports her expertise in sustainable tourism and cultural heritage. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Tourism at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Spain, deepening her understanding of tourism dynamics and sustainable practices. Prior to this, she was a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University in the United Kingdom in 2024, where she expanded her research networks and knowledge in the field. She holds an MA in Tourism Planning and Management (2020-2022) from Tor Vergata University of Rome, graduating with second-class honors, and an MSc in Economics and Management of Tourism and Cultural Activities (2017-2018) from the same university, where she achieved first-class honors. Additionally, she earned a Diploma in Culture & Tourism Management (2014-2015) from Lumsa University in Rome. Her academic foundation in archaeology was established with a BA in Archaeology (2002-2014) from Sapienza University of Rome, where she graduated with first-class honors. This comprehensive education has equipped Mrs. Sampieri with a robust framework for her research and professional contributions in tourism and cultural heritage.

Experience

Mrs. Sara Sampieri has a rich background in academic and project management roles across prestigious institutions. Currently, she serves as a Research Associate at Effat University in Saudi Arabia, a role she began in 2025. Concurrently, she is an Honorary Fellow in Archaeology and Art History of the Ancient Near East, Arabian Peninsula, and Gulf at Sapienza University of Rome, where she has been involved since 2018. Her contributions at Sapienza also include roles as a Research Manager (2023) and Project Manager (2022-2023), overseeing significant initiatives in tourism and archaeology. Additionally, she was a Program Coordinator from 2018 to 2022, where she managed the coordination of multiple programs and contributed to curriculum development. In her capacity as an evaluator, Mrs. Sampieri has been an active member of the Graduate Study in Tourism committee at Sapienza University since June 2023, contributing to the advancement of graduate-level academic standards. Her extensive experience across research, management, and academic roles reflects her commitment to fostering sustainable tourism development and preserving cultural heritage.

Awards and Honors

Mrs. Sara Sampieri has received notable awards and honors throughout her career, recognizing her contributions to sustainable tourism, cultural heritage preservation, and educational excellence. She was awarded a grant by UN Tourism and Oxford University in 2024 for her research on the ESG Framework for Tourism Businesses, demonstrating her commitment to advancing environmentally and socially responsible tourism practices. Additionally, she received a prestigious grant from Sapienza University’s Great Excavations initiative for her project on South Batinah, Sultanate of Oman, aimed at exploring social complexities and sustainable tourism development in the region, running from 2024 to 2027. Her work has also been funded by the Italian Ministry of Research and the European Union, underscoring her international recognition and dedication to research excellence in tourism, archaeology, and education.

Research Focus

Mrs. Sara Sampieri’s research centers on sustainable tourism development, cultural heritage preservation, and the exploration of socio-cultural dynamics in the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf. She is currently engaged in an ESG framework project for tourism businesses, supported by UN Tourism and Oxford University, which aims to incorporate environmental, social, and governance standards into the tourism sector. Additionally, her archaeological research delves into the nomadic and tribal alliances in South Batinah, Oman, funded by Sapienza University’s Great Excavations initiative. Mrs. Sampieri is also involved in projects addressing accessibility and sustainability in cultural heritage infrastructure through the UNIVERSITAS project, and her ongoing work spans topics such as sustainable tourism, heritage conservation, and advanced learning analytics in online education through EU-backed initiatives.