My research lies in the economics of innovation, with a focus on intellectual property and innovation policy. I study how patent systems, institutional frameworks, and firm capabilities shape technological change and innovation outcomes, with an emphasis on policy-relevant implications for technological progress. My research is mainly empirical and oriented towards cutting-edge methodologies and original data sources. In most cases I make patent data speak. 

My contributions have been published in leading international peer-reviewed journals, including Research Policy, Industrial and Corporate Change, and Journal of Cultural Economics. Click here to keep update with the research I am currently working on and here for my complete list of publications.

Throughout my career, I have received the following recognitions: the Industry and Innovation Best Paper Award (2023); the award Premio La Colombaria (2024) for the best PhD thesis in social sciences; the Innova Best Paper Award on R&D and Innovation (2021), awarded at the 9th PhD Student Workshop on Industrial and Public Economics; and the Premio Vianello (2017), awarded by the Fondazione Roma Sapienza to outstanding Master’s graduates in Economics from Italian universities.

I also serve as Social Media Editor for the journal Industry and Innovation.

I love traveling, both for work and in my free-time. When I'm tired of traveling (rarely), I enjoy the ease of Pisa and the sea of ​​Livorno.

Feel free to contact me at  julia.mazzei[at]santannapisa[dot]it