Stefania Giannini


Stefania Giannini is an Italian politician and linguist. She served as Minister of Education, Universities and Research from 2014 until 2016.

Early career

Born in Lucca, Giannini in 1991 became a professor at the University for Foreigners in Perugia, holding the chairs of Phonetics and Phonology, Sociolinguistics and of Glottology and Linguistics. In 2004 she also became rector of the Perugia University for Foreigners.

Political career

As a candidate in Tuscany with the Civic Choice party of Mario Monti, Giannini was elected senator in February 2013. In November the same year, she was appointed secretary and coordinator of the party Scelta civica.
On 21 February 2014, Giannini was appointed as Minister of Education, University and Research in the government of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. During Italy's presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2014, she also chaired the Education and Competitiveness Council of the European Union. She was succeeded by Valeria Fedeli in 2016.
From 2017, Giannini served as adviser to the European Commissioner for Research and Innovation Carlos Moedas.

Career with the United Nations

In 2018, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay appointed Giannini as one of four new members of the organization's senior management team. Giannini has since been serving as Assistant Director-General for Education, making her the top United Nations official in the field of education.

Other activities