Rosanna Bonasia, 43, is a researcher and lecturer in Mexico City. He deals with physical volcanology, volcanic risk calculation, analysis and calculation of the risk of river floods. Originally from bitonto (Bari), she has a degree in Geological Sciences. Since 2010 he has been carrying out research in Mexico, after a previous experience at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Vesuvian Observatory section, in Naples.
Rosanna belongs to that category of Italians to be proud of, who, not having found the right opportunity in their country to establish themselves professionally, and reluctantly had to follow a different path in order not to risk remaining precarious for life. Rosanna is one of those precious researchers that Italy should reward and not lose, as unfortunately happens more and more frequently. Today, she can finally be satisfied with having achieved the deserved result: the chair at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico City, and the presidency of the División de Dinámica de Fluidos de la Sociedad Mexicana de Física.
Rosanna Bonasia, her studies
Daughter of two professors, Rosanna has had a great passion for scientific subjects since she was a child, so much so that she would like to study at university physics or chemistry. Conditioned by her parents who do not want the only job alternative for her future to be teaching, she chooses to enroll in Geological Sciences at the University of Bari. Finding geology not very stimulating, she begins to become passionate about volcanology and its relationship with fluid mechanics. He is particularly interested in the social aspect of matter: volcanic risk and damage prevention. In 2002, he graduated and began his doctorate in Bari.
Rosanna Bonasia, the career
In the meantime he obtained a master's degree in Tor Vergata (Rome). In 2008 the first research grant arrives at the Ingv of Naples, which expires in 2010 without any possibility of bargaining. From that moment on, Rosanna began to think about leaving Italy. A proposal comes from Mexico: it is a scholarship. Away from home, a fluctuating period begins for her, in which fixed-term contracts follow one another and difficulties are not lacking with the same fellow researchers. Finally, in 2013, the long-awaited result arrives. Rosanna obtains a professorship at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico City, in the faculty of civil engineering. Forced to put volcanology aside a little, she enters the Mexican Physics Society, fulfilling her childhood dream. But the nostalgia for Italy remains strong in her, who would like to return, but knows well that this would mean having to accept a fixed-term contract, with no guarantees for the future.
Rosanna Bonasia: the problems of Italian research
In this interview, Rosanna talks about the problems that Italian researchers are experiencing, her life, her family and the difficulties she experienced to get where she has arrived.
Doctor, what is missing from Italian research?
May it be given the importance it deserves. Italy has trained generations of top-level researchers in all fields of science. For centuries it has had universities and scientific academies that are the envy of the world. The academic preparation of those who trained in Italy was, until recently, complete and rigorous, to the point that Italian researchers have always been in demand and welcome abroad. Unfortunately, however, all of these trends I would say have changed over the past twenty years.
What exactly has changed?
University regulations have changed, which certainly lowered the level of preparation of students. Research funding has become increasingly poor and, in some institutions, has not existed for a long time. Italian researchers live a precarious life. He is asked to produce more and more in the perspective of a permanent position, with the frustration of never seeing that permanent position, because universities are "not very virtuous" and have no money.
"Italy has stopped giving importance to research"
Italy has stopped giving importance to research and this is reflected in the fact that no one comes to do research in Italy anymore, rather it is the Italian scholars who leave. Italy continues to have very high level researchers, who unfortunately remain in the shadows. They are not given the proper recognition and importance they deserve. Paradoxically, you hear more of those who, like me, stay outside the country, than of those who continue to work in often very frustrating conditions in Italy., which nevertheless continues to produce high-level research.
How does your working day go?
Under normal conditions, i.e. when the coronavirus had not yet come to disrupt everyone's lives, I was in the office at 9 in the morning. The first hours I devoted mainly to studying to advance in mine Research. Then, I began to receive the students that I have in thesis and, a couple of times a week, I gave lessons in the form of presentations. Half an hour to eat sitting at my desk and, immediately, in the afternoon, I devoted myself to the practical part of my work: numerical simulations, writing scientific articles, meetings with the teaching staff. For a year I have been the president of the División de Dinámica de Fluidos de la Sociedad Mexicana de Física and for 3 years I have been vice president of the Association of Italian Researchers in Mexico (Arim). So, before going home, I devoted myself to answering the emails of the associations I managed and organizing scientific events together with the staff of the board of directors.
Rosanna Bonasia talks about the pandemic in Mexico
How is the coronavirus emergency living?
This period has been and continues to be difficult. We have been at home in Mexico, at least we researchers, since March. I took classes online until the end of the semester and tried to keep the pace I had before quarantine. I tried to keep alive the interest of my students, who like me have lived through very difficult times, because relatives or friends got sick, and because they could not manage the new situation they were experiencing on an emotional level. But we've made it so far. Personally, staying at home allowed me to advance with research and with the commitments of scientific dissemination that before I had to leave a little aside for reasons of time. However, I do not deny that there are days when the straits of quarantine are felt strong, and the only thing I do is lie down on the sofa and watch Netflix.
What did Mexico give you?
Mexico, first of all, gave me the opportunity to continue working when, after my first research grant in Italy, I had no alternative. However, my professional career in Mexico was not easy. Here too I have experienced injustices and have been faced with many obstacles. However, it is a country that is growing and, despite the various obstacles I have faced, I have always been able to continue working. Currently I don't have a permanent job yet, but I've been a professor at a Polytechnic since I was 38, which is no small feat.
With Italy in my heart
What do you miss about Italy?
Mine family first and foremost and lifelong friends. But I try to go back to Italy at least twice a year (pandemics permitting) and I talk to my family more than once a day. Perhaps I miss the recognition from my country for the work I do. Sometimes I think I could have done it well in Italy, but then I think that there are many categories of Italian workers who are forgotten and who live in situations that are far more complicated than mine, and I realize that I am lucky.
Would you like to return?
Of course! But under the conditions that I am entitled to. Probably ten years ago, when I arrived in Mexico, a scholarship from Italy would have made me happy. Now, with the titles I have acquired, the experience and all the work done, I would return with a contract similar to the one I have here. With guarantees for my future. I think these are the expectations of many researchers, even those who have remained in Italy.
Can you tell us about your family?
My mother is a retired philosophy professor and my father is a surveyor. He was professor and vice principal of a middle school in a town near mine for many years. He continues to work as a surveyor in the civil engineering office that my brother, who is an engineer, manages. We are a very close family and, for this reason, I believe that even now, after ten years, they have not completely resigned themselves to keeping me away from home. But they are also people who have never hindered me in my choices and I think they feel proud of the results I have achieved by staying away.
Do you have any regrets?
I guess the only regret I have is that I probably made my parents suffer because of my distance, but I'm glad to see how they fill with pride when I publish a new article or when I am nominated for an award. I hope this can somehow compensate for the idea of still having me away.
(Photo Rosanna Bonasia Facebook page)
