Dario Rodighiero

Design, Science,
and Humanities

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Dario serves Harvard University supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation. He is a postdoctoral researcher of the Metalab, a design-driven laboratory for experiments in the field of digital humanities, and an affiliate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.

With Metis Presses he published Mapping Affinities, a book about the design of scientific collectives from an ethical perspective.

His capacity at the intersection of visual studies, data science, and digital humanities makes him comfortable in multiple disciplines. He graduated in computer science and majored in theory and technology of communication, while his doctoral studies focused on data visualization.

All his scientific works are characterized by a strong and clean sense of design according to the interdisciplinary approach of the Bauhaus. He also thinks research should be addressed through digital visuals, open-source software, and public exhibits.

A part of his research revolves around the concepts of quantified self and self-recognition. Specifically, he is interested in the way in which individuals perceive themselves through data and their visual representations, and how these shape daily practices and behaviors.

His current projects examine the social dynamics of research in terms of collaboration and mobility flows. When public events went online, he designed a visual method to map conference speakers and explore events from a different perspective.

He explores digital archives with cutting-edge technology. Presently, he works on Surprise Machines, a project in collaboration with Yale University to exhibit the collection of Harvard Art Museums.

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne awarded him a Ph.D. in Science, after attending the doctoral program of Architecture and Sciences of the City.

He has lectured in many institutions, including the King’s College London and the CERN. Formerly he was employed at MIT, Sciences Po, and the European Commission, which recently appointed him as an external expert in data visualization and interface design.

As a member of An Inquiry into Modes of Existence, the ERC project led by Bruno Latour, Dario was a finalist of ADI Compasso d’Oro Award 2020, one of the most prestigious design awards. Recently, he was the recipient of the DH Awards for the best data visualization.

“Alongside Daniele [Guido] and Donato [Ricci], Dario is part of the ‘Little Italy’ that has set up shop in the AIME offices. Apart from sharing his enthusiasm and insatiable curiosity, Dario has brought along ten years experience in designing digital interfaces. With the others on the team, he has given life and form to the daring insights of both himself and his compatriots.”

— Bruno Latour, Paris 2013