Matteo Colombo works as a Research Fellow at Clingendael’s Conflict Research Unit. He is part of its Middle East team focusing on political Islam, the rule of law, and the political economy of Egypt, Libya, Iraq, and Jordan. Matteo combines experience in mixed research methods with good data visualization techniques to ensure his work is both rigorous and appealing. He is skilled in producing infographics and maps on current dynamics in the Middle East.
Matteo conducted high-quality confidential research projects for NATO and the World Bank on the security landscape in Iraq, as well as for the Italian Parliament on MENA geopolitics. Matteo authored the book Discussing the Islamic State on Twitter (Palgrave) with Luigi Curini on how Arabic Twitter users responded to the Islamic State’s propaganda, using machine-learning technology.
Matteo holds a PhD in Political Studies from the University of Milan, a Master of Arts degree in Journalism, and a Master of Science degree in Middle East Politics. He is a native Italian speaker and a professional user of English and Arabic. Matteo is also regularly interviewed by international media, including l’Express, Haaretz, Corriere della Sera, Radio Rai, The New Arab, Telegraaf, TgCom24 and Asharq News on current events in Egypt, Libya, and across the Middle East.
