Robert Massimo Alfonsi

Biography

Dr. Robert Massimo Alfonsi holds a Ph.D. in Sustainability Science from the University of Tokyo, where his doctoral research developed an ICT framework for local food systems in South Africa. He also holds a Joint Diploma in Sustainability Science from the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) and an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Pisa.

Originally from Italy, he brings more than two decades of teaching and research experience across Europe, Africa, and Japan. This includes several years as Lecturer and later Head of the Department of Computer Science and Informatics at the University of the Free State’s QwaQwa Campus in South Africa, and a Teaching Assistantship in Sustainability Science at the University of Tokyo.

A dedicated and enthusiastic educator, Dr. Alfonsi believes students learn best as active participants rather than passive recipients. His teaching centres on structured inquiry and collaborative discussion, encouraging students to build their own analytical frameworks instead of memorising conclusions. At NIC he teaches Environmental Systems and Societies through the case method, helping students navigate complex systems while inspiring them to think critically, act responsibly, and see themselves as capable contributors to a more sustainable future.

Outside the classroom, he enjoys travelling, especially within Japan, and is an avid reader with a lasting interest in personal development and geopolitics. He also follows advances in humanoid robots and electric autonomous vehicles with the same curiosity he hopes to spark in his students.