Paolo Favali, presently consultant as Strategy and Funding Advisor of the EMSO ERIC a pan-European research infrastructure (www.emso.eu). Retired in 2015 as Research Director at INGV, now acting there as Associated Research. Master degree cum laude in Geological Sciences with specialization in Geophysics at “Sapienza” University of Rome in 1976. Earth Physics professor in Italian Universities (1994-2009). Over 40-y experience with research interest in Natural Hazards, Seismotectonics, Geodynamics, Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, Marine and Environmental Sciences. Over 30-y cooperation, acting also as coordinator, in over 43 research and technological projects with many Italian/International Universities, Scientific Institutions and Industries. In these projects complex underwater systems and sensor prototypes have been developed, realised and validated for interdisciplinary scientific uses from shallow to deep waters. Published 148 papers on peer-review International and Italian Journals, including 2 books and 2 special issues. Awarded the “Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation” by MIT in 2015.