When Lucia Tamburino left the traditional academic world, it was not an abandonment of science – quite the opposite. It became a way for her to continue conducting research, but with more flexible working hours and greater freedom in choosing research topics.
“I wished there were a serious research institute where I could continue to conduct and publish research outside of the traditional academic system. And then I found IGDORE – it felt like my wish had come true,” she says.
Lucia Tamburino has an unusual background that spans both mathematics and the natural sciences. She earned her PhD in forest ecology at the University of Padua, Italy, and conducted postdoctoral research at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Her main research interests center around sustainability and the interaction between population growth and natural resources.
“My research focuses on sustainability issues, particularly on the dynamics between population and resources. I try to combine an analytical approach with a broader perspective that includes technological, social, and ecological aspects,” she explains.
What does this mean in practice? Lucia develops mathematical models that simulate how societies and ecosystems are affected by changes such as population growth and consumption patterns. One of her latest projects addresses the link between population growth and carbon emissions.
In her model, she shows how a growing population, combined with today’s lifestyles, could make climate targets unattainable – even with technological advancements.
“There is a strong connection between how many people there are and how much we emit, but this link is rarely discussed openly. It’s like the elephant in the room in climate debates,” she says.
She analyzes various future scenarios – including different birth rates, consumption patterns, and climate policies – to study how they impact emissions and resource use. Her findings can help policymakers understand which measures are truly most effective in the long term.
“With models, we can test different future scenarios before they actually happen. It’s a powerful tool for understanding the consequences of the choices we make today,” she explains.
Tamburino is also a strong advocate for FAIR data – that is, data that is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
“Without data, all ideas are just speculation. Data is like a bridge between philosophy and science – a narrow bridge where only hypotheses that match reality can pass.
I don’t collect data myself, but I try to select reliable sources and be as transparent as possible in my analyses and interpretations. I always publish my code openly so that other researchers can verify and build upon my results.”
Besides conducting research and writing scientific articles, Lucia also contributes to the public debate about population issues. For example, she has collaborated with the TOP blog, publishing several articles.
She also contributed to a French book and recently co-wrote an open letter to Elon Musk on population matters, published on two different platforms.
Lucia notes that, unfortunately, in today’s academic world, it is not always the most rigorous studies that receive attention.
“I share the view held by many other researchers that intellectual honesty and transparency are not particularly valued in today’s research landscape. Studies that fit the dominant narrative often receive widespread attention even if they lack strong data support, while solid, well-documented studies can be dismissed for ideological reasons.”
Despite the frustrations, she feels that her role as an independent researcher affiliated with IGDORE is both important and meaningful.
“I can research freely, be transparent in my analyses, and contribute to a scientific culture based on openness.”