{"id":12,"date":"2024-12-10T17:51:04","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:51:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/wrench\/?page_id=12"},"modified":"2026-04-10T13:40:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T11:40:54","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/wrench\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WRENCH is an inter-university program supported by the Belmont Forum<\/a>. Based at Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona<\/a> (Spain), WRENCH brings together scholars and experts from Universit\u00e0 degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli<\/a> (Italy), Durham University<\/a> (England) and ODT\u00dc – Orta Do\u011fu Teknik \u00dcniversitesi<\/a> – Middle East Techinacal University METU <\/a>(Turkey) and various non-academic partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to the (undisciplined) field WRENCH is situated in, ranging from humanities to engineering, the project offers valuable and originals insights on heritage. Its goals are identified from structural conservation of fiscal heritage to enlivening processes of socio-ecological, cultural and immaterial heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WRENCH is also a framework for a transnational network of scholars, experts and activists working on the relationship between living heritage and climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO WE ARE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Marco Armiero, PI<\/summary>
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Marco Armiero is an ICREA Research Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and at the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies. His career has been marked by an international and interdisciplinary focus; he has been a postdoctoral fellow and visiting scholar at Yale, Berkeley, Stanford, and Coimbra. From 2013 to 2023, he served as the director of the KTH Environmental Humanities Laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 2019 and 2021, he was president of the European Society for Environmental History. In 2024, he was elected to the governing board of the International Consortium for Environmental History Organizations.In 2021, he published Wasteocene: Stories from the Global Dump<\/em> (Cambridge University Press), which has been translated into Italian, Spanish, French, and Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, and is currently being translated into Chinese and Portuguese. MIT Press has published his book Mussolini\u2019s Nature<\/em> (co-authored with R. Biasillo and W. Graf von Hardenberg) and is currently translating his work Vajont: A Political Ecology of a Disaster<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Samuele Andreoni<\/summary>
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Samuele Andreoni is a political and environmental anthropologist, currently PhD student at UAB-IHC. He started his career at the University of Pisa studying contemporary history, focusing on suburbs and pedagogical methods during infancy and adolescence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He pursued his studies in anthropology at the University of Torino, where he started focusing on political and environmental issues about the contemporary world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s now focused on the role of commons in generating ecological and cultural based practices that try to balance the relation between society and nature.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Giusy Pappalardo<\/summary>
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Giusy Pappalardo is a researcher with a background in community-based planning, working at the intersection of social museology and other disciplines within the broad field of environmental humanities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She graduated from the University of Catania in 2010 with a thesis on the use of collective maps as an empowerment devices for disadvantaged communities, and between 2011 and 2014 she conducted doctoral research on ecological planning in the Deep South of the United States on a Fulbright grant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 2016 to 2024, Giusy was a researcher at the University of Catania, where she still teaches Landscape Planning. From 2019 to 2022, she was a visiting researcher at several European universities (University of Li\u00e8ge in Belgium, NTNU in Norway, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela in Spain and Lus\u00f3fona University in Lisbon), developing case studies with a transnational approach. At the University of Catania she has been coordinator of the Project of National Interest “Resisting – Reconnecting social innovation with institutions in urban planning” (2022-2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Durham University<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashraf Osman<\/summary>\n

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Bartolomeo Pant\u00f2<\/summary>
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Bartolomeo Pant\u00f2 is an Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering in the Department of Engineering. He graduated in 2003 from the University of Catania (Italy), where he completed his Ph.D. in Structural Engineering in 2007. His research in that period led to the development of a new simplified method, the Discrete Macro-Element Method (DMEM), to analyse unreinforced and confined masonry structures. After his Ph.D., Bartolomeo worked for seven years as a Structural Engineer. In 2015, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Minho (Portugal). From 2019 to 2021, Bartolomeo led the RAMBEA project (funded by the European Commission within the Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie Actions) at Imperial College London to develop novel computational strategies for accurate and efficient simulations of historical masonry arch bridges subject to extreme environmental actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He joined the Computational Mechanics research group at Durham University in 2021. His area of interest comprises assessing and retrofitting existing structures, including historical and monumental masonry constructions and reinforced concrete infill frames, subjected to climate change and extreme environmental actions, such as earthquakes and floods. In Durham, he is intensely involved in developing sustainable construction and retrofitting techniques based on low-CO2 emissions and natural materials. <\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Michael Crang<\/summary>\n

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Durham Castle<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gillian Rennie<\/summary>
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Gill is the Curator of Durham Castle and the Collections held within the University\u2019s Colleges. She is a forward-thinking and dedicated museum professional and is responsible for the care, development and interpretation of the collections to enable academic research and access for local, national and international audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gill is a graduate of Strathclyde University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Museum and Gallery Studies, with Distinction. Her dissertation focussed on War Art, particularly the work of Scottish artist Peter Howson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gill\u2019s career in museums spans over 20 years. She joined the WRENCH team in 2022 as the Curator of Durham Castle and Colleges. She is currently focussed on the Norman Chapel preservation project and the ensuing reinterpretation of this significant space. Durham Castle is undergoing general structural works over the next two years and Gill is managing the removal, conservation and redisplay of collection items including oil paintings and wall-hung tapestries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gill is involved in the development and delivery of undergraduate teaching and postgraduate research at Durham University, working on courses and supervising MA student research of Durham Castle and its collections, as well as providing access and support for faculty-led research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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METU<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tugrul Yilmaz<\/summary>\n

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Olcay Aydemir<\/summary>
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M. Olcay Aydemir is a videographer and content manager at the Audio Visual Research and Application Center (G\u0130SAM) at Middle East Technical University (METU).  His work primarily focuses on science communication and he has 15 years of expertise in producing, directing and editing research videos, short documentaries, and social media content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has been involved in the dissemination of numerous EU-funded projects, using his expertise to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts. He also teaches video production at METU. In addition to his professional career, he holds a PhD in Energy and Environmental Policy from METU, blending his passion for both media and scientific research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Berrin Balay Tuncer<\/summary>
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She has completed her undergraduate studies at Hacettepe University, Department of Social Work and Social Services, and her master’s and doctoral studies at Gazi University, Department of Public Relations and Publicity. She made and directed various documentaries and promotional films and received national and international awards for her documentaries.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has directed the 2nd and 6th Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival. She acts as a jury member and consultant at International Film Festivals. She is the author of several journal articles, book chapters and newspaper articles.  She currently works as a producer at METU-G\u0130SAM, and teaches part-time in the cinema-TV and public relations departments of communication faculties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corrado Chisari<\/summary>
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Corrado Chisari is Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering at the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d. Graduated at the University of Trieste (Italy), he got the PhD in Structural Engineering in 2015 at the same university with a thesis on inverse analysis of masonry structures. In 2017 he was awarded a Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie Individual Fellowship which took place at Imperial College London (UK). His project \u201cMultiCAMS – Multi-level Model Calibration for the Assessment of Historical Masonry Structures\u201d developed an advanced computational strategy for the realistic assessment of historical masonry structures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has been Principal Investigator and participant of national and international funded research projects, and has the Italian National Qualification as Full Professor in Structural Engineering and Associate Professor in Structural Mechanics. His main research focus regards numerical modelling and structural testing, structural optimisation, inverse analysis and parameter calibration, design of advanced seismic devices; on these topics Corrado has also collaborated with research groups at Imperial College, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Sassari, University of Trieste, University of Salerno. He is author of more than 50 papers in leading international journals and conference proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gianfranco De Matteis<\/summary>
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Gianfranco De Matteis is a Full Professor of Structural Engineering (Scientific Disciplinary Sector: CEAR07\/A) at the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design of the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli.\u201d Since 2020, he has served as the Rector\u2019s Delegate for Building Affairs, and since 2022, he has been the President of the Bachelor\u2019s Degree Program in Building Science and Techniques (Degree Class L23) at the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli.\u201d He is also the Director of the Level II Master\u2019s Program in “Assessment and Management of the Safety of Existing Infrastructure Works.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is a member of the Scientific Council and Board of the FABRE Consortium (“Research Consortium for the Assessment and Monitoring of Bridges, Viaducts, and Other Structures”), as well as the Scientific Coordinator for the Research Unit affiliated with the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. De Matteis is the national delegate of the IAEE (International Association of Earthquake Engineering), a global commission on seismic engineering, and a member of the Executive Board of ANIDIS, the Italian National Association of Earthquake Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has led international research teams and has been the scientific coordinator for numerous national and international research projects, including the European research project “Earthquake Protection of Historical Buildings by Reversible Mixed Technologies (PROHITECH),” the project “Integrated PRocedure for assEssing and improVing the resiliENce of existing masonry bell Towers on a territorial scale \u2013 PREVENT,” and as the Coordinator of Task 4.8 \u201cChurches\u201d within the research framework WP4: Risk Maps and Seismic Damage Scenarios (MARS), part of the national DPC-Reluis 2019-2021 project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has published over 400 scientific papers in journals and conference proceedings, focusing primarily on the following topics: the structural behavior of steel and aluminum structures, the analysis and evaluation of historical and monumental buildings, innovative structural intervention techniques, and the structural safety of existing brides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rosina Iaderosa<\/summary>
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Rosina Iaderosa is architect, former research fellow for several years and currently a PhD candidate in the Industrial Doctorate Program in Technologies for Resilient Living Environments \u2013 DADI (University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”), SSD CEAR-10\/A. Her research focuses on the study and enhancement of both natural and human-made living environments through the application of ICT technologies, adopting a multidisciplinary approach aimed at innovating documentation and analysis processes in the built environment and landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


Her scientific work is based on a methodological integration of reality-based digital survey technologies, employing both range-based and image-based techniques, adapting instruments and methodologies to the specific needs of each research endeavour. Data acquisition is carried out through static and dynamic terrestrial surveys, as well as aerial surveying systems, enabling a detailed and multiscale analysis of the studied contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The results of her research have been published in numerous scientific contributions, including volumes and sector-specific journals, as well as in Class A journals. She has also presented her work at several international conferences, actively contributing to the discourse on digitalization and innovation in the fields of architectural, archaeological, and urban surveying and representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mohammad Kheirollahi<\/summary>
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Mohammad Kheirollahi is a structural engineer and researcher whose work focuses on seismic behavior, retrofitting strategies, and innovative structural systems. He began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Civil-Structural Engineering at the University of Tabriz and went on to complete an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Structural Engineering at Sahand University of Technology. His master\u2019s thesis on the seismic
rehabilitation of unreinforced masonry resulted in several international publications, while his doctoral research examined the seismic performance of double-layer barrel vaults, leading to journal articles, a patent, and the development of Buckling-Controlled Members (BCM).
In addition to his academic research, Mohammad has been involved in the retrofitting and vulnerability assessment of historical structures in Tabriz, including UNESCO-registered sites. His work in this area has combined numerical modeling with experimental methods such as ambient vibration testing and shake table experiments. He has also explored the potential of innovative materials, including translucent concrete, which received a gold medal at the Geneva Invention Fair in 2018 and also received a gold medal at a symposium in Thailand. Some of his research has contributed to patents related to housing solutions for earthquake-affected communities.
Mohammad has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervised student theses, and continues to collaborate on research in masonry structures and space systems through postdoctoral positions in Iran and Germany. He has also published in a range of international journals and conferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sergio Sibilio<\/summary>
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Full Professor of Building Physics and Building Energy Systems at the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design at the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli.\u201d He teaches the courses \u201cLighting Design\u201d (Master\u2019s Degree in Design for Innovation), \u201cApplications of Acoustics, Lighting, and Energy\u201d and \u201cMethods and Tools for Green Transition and Environmental Resilience\u201d (Master\u2019s Degree in Architecture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He coordinates the phD course in \u201cTechnologies for Resilient Living Environments\u201d and is a member of the Technology Transfer Commission at the University. He has delivered lectures and seminars at various foreign universities within the ERASMUS Mobility program and serves as a reviewer for prestigious international journals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the scientific head of the \u201cE3 – Energy Efficiency and Environment\u201d Laboratory, he has participated as a member or leader of research units in projects funded locally and nationally on topics such as applied thermodynamics, lighting, energy efficiency in buildings, and environmental sustainability. He also acts as an expert evaluator for national and international calls for industrial research and pre-competitive development projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author of over 200 scientific articles, he is active in the fields of applied thermodynamics, lighting, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mattia Zizi<\/summary>
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Graduated with honors in 2016 in Building Systems Engineering from the \u201cD\u2019Annunzio\u201d University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, in 2021, he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d with a dissertation titled \u201cSeismic safety of historical and monumental masonry buildings: assessment methodologies and retrofitting techniques for the structural enhancement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2022, he has been a fixed-term Researcher in the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design at the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli,\u201d in the Scientific Disciplinary Sector CEAR07\/A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has participated in several national research projects primarily focused on themes related to the conservation and protection of Italy’s architectural, monumental, and infrastructural heritage. In 2023, he coordinated the research project \u201cAdvanced procedures for SAFEty assessment of existing Masonry Arch Bridges \u2013 SAFE_MAB,\u201d funded by the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, he serves as the structural and seismic risk representative of the University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d for the \u201cConsortium for the assessment and monitoring of bridges, viaducts, and other structures \u2013 FABRE.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the author of over 40 scientific publications in national and international journals and conference proceedings. His scientific activity mainly focuses on: assessing the seismic vulnerability of historical and monumental masonry structures through multi-level methodologies (large-scale and individual building scale), proposing intervention methodologies for mitigating the seismic risk of existing masonry structures, and evaluating the structural and seismic risks of existing bridges.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

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Metropolitan City of Naples<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosario Andreozzi<\/summary>
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Rosario Andreozzi was born on 08 January 1965 in Naples. Since his youth he has been politically active in the Communist Party, engaging with struggles in the northern area of Naples. In the 1990s, he promoted and was a longlasting leader of the struggles for work which involved thousands of workers excluded from production cycles. creating socially useful jobs (LSU in the Italian system) which were supported by various ministries and local authorities.
He was the director of Filcams-Cgil and of the Naples Chamber of Labour.
For three consecutive terms he was a municipal councillor in Piscinola, Marianella,
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Since 2016 he has been a Municipal Councillor in Naples, where he was President of the Dema Council Group; in 2021, re-elected on the list Napoli Solidale Sinistra Socialista Civica Ecologista and elected as Metropolitan Councillor of Naples. He is currently Councillor for the Environment and Biodiversity of the Municipality of Naples.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

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Coop4Art<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consortium of social cooperatives \u201cCoop4Art\u201d<\/summary>
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The Consortium of social cooperatives \u201cCoop4Art\u201d acts inspired by the principles of prevalent mutuality, solidarity, internal and external democracy. We look at an economic model projected towards the enhancement of the human, environmental and cultural resources of the territory. A circular and community economy attentive to the needs of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Over the years we have dealt with: <\/p>\n\n\n\n