Simone joined Loughborough University as Lecturer in International Business, Strategy and Innovation in 2019 from the University of Manchester, where he managed the Manchester China Institute and was Associate Member at the Manchester Institute for Innovation Research.

With a research background in R&D and innovation management, he conducts research in the field of innovation studies. Specifically, he has been looking into global innovation and reverse innovation dynamics, focusing on the dichotomy advanced vs emerging economies. More recently he has developed an interest in international R&D alliances and university-industry collaboration.

Prior to joining the University of Manchester, Simone was Research Fellow at the Lancaster University Management School, where he was also Programme Manager for the Lancaster China Catalyst Programme, a £5 million Lancaster University project which aimed at creating and supporting R&D partnerships between UK and Chinese organisations. During his time at Lancaster University Simone advised more than 60 UK SMEs on their China strategy.

He obtained a PhD in Management from Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa (Italy) (2012), he has been visiting doctoral researcher at Tongji University (2011) and is currently senior researcher at GLORAD, an international independent research network and think tank on Global R&D and Innovation.

His work has been published in such journals as Journal of Product Innovation Management, British Journal of Management, R&D Management, Creativity and Innovation, Research-Technology Management.

Beyond his research interests, Simone has worked extensively with Italian, UK and Chinese Government institutions for the set up and delivery of cooperation programmes and organisations of official business delegations.