Paola graduated at Southampton University, and has worked in the heritage sector for more than 25 years. After her Masters degree, she became a maritime archaeologist and researcher at the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth and she was responsible for National and European projects focusing on the degradation of shipwrecks due to environmental factors and piloting projects to study their in situ protection. Environmental challenges impacting on the degradation and preservation of the Underwater and Coastal Cultural Heritage, is one of the topics that Paola consolidated during her career in academia. Another research topic close to her heart is making heritage accessible to all, ensuring its long-term protection and appreciation.
Paola’s current research development focuses on the resilience of coastal communities, on the environmental challenges impacting on heritage and communities, and coastal heritage at risk.