Arianna Acierno  joined the CMCC Foundation in 2022 as Senior Scientific Manager and leads the Behavioral Adaptation and Engagement (BAE) research unit within the REMHI Division. The BAE research unit focuses on the social side of climate adaptation, making climate science understandable, relevant, and actionable. Through communication, engagement, and participatory tools, the team promotes inclusive decision-making, risk awareness, and active citizenship. Combining social sciences, economics, and communication, BAE designs strategies that drive behavioural change, support resilient communities, and build public consensus around adaptation and social transformation. From analysing perceptions to evaluating social impacts, BAE connects science with real-world needs—bringing people into climate action and ensuring no one is left behind.

She contributes to several EU-funded initiatives, including Adaptation AGORA, Climateurope2, BePrePAred, and GANANA, where she leads activities related to communication, outreach, and engagement. With a strong background in international external affairs and environmental communication, Arianna holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations (2007) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from LUISS University in Rome (2004), as well as a postgraduate diploma in Environmental Communication from IED Turin (2008).