Elena Flavia Castagnino Berlinghieri holds a PhD in Maritime Archaeology from the University of Bristol (UK). She conducts scientific research in the field of archaeology, with a particular focus on underwater cultural heritage, conducting both terrestrial and underwater excavations and investigations. Her research areas include ancient harbour cities, shipwrecks, coastal settlement dynamics, sea-level changes, and the study of human interaction with coastal landscapes, with a special focus on the central Mediterranean. She is involved in the protection of underwater cultural heritage within the framework of the 2001 UNESCO Convention.