Alessia Pecchini conducts her research stay at the IRE to investigate gender identity and representation in Italian women's rugby

Alessia Pecchini, a graduate in Cognitive Neurosciences from the University of Padua and current PhD student in Human Movement Sciences, has begun her stay at the IRE. Following a 22-year career as a professional football player in Italy, she has directed her research career toward sports psychology and social issues affecting women athletes in historically male-dominated fields.

The primary objective of her stay is to refine her methodological skills in qualitative interview analysis, a key tool for her doctoral thesis. Her research focuses on the Italian Women's National Rugby Team —where she also serves as a sports psychologist— and explores critical dimensions such as athletic identity, sports careers, and the social perception of female athletes.

Beyond her academic work, Alessia provides a valuable practical perspective thanks to her experience collaborating with federations to support the performance and well-being of athletes. This combination of professional field experience and scientific rigor allows the IRE to continue strengthening international ties and advancing the study of gender differences and dual careers in European sports.