Caterina Manicardi

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About

Caterina Manicardi is an emerging researcher whose work sits at the intersection of labor sociology, technology studies, and service-sector economics, with a particular focus on how automation and robotics reshape work and employment. Her research cuts through techno-optimist narratives to reveal the nuanced, often overlooked realities of implementing automated systems in real-world service environments. Her most notable contribution, a qualitative case study analysis drawing on over 50 interviews with HR managers, IT technicians, workers, and trade union delegates, demonstrates that the technological complexity underlying robotics and automation is far more intricate than commonly assumed — particularly in its human consequences. This work has garnered 5 citations since its 2022 publication, establishing her as a thoughtful voice in the field. Her 2025 study on automation in cleaning services is especially distinctive, shining a light on "dirty, invisible, and risky" jobs that are frequently ignored in mainstream automation research. By arguing that such roles remain resistant to robotic replacement, Manicardi challenges prevailing assumptions and advocates for greater attention to vulnerable, low-visibility workers. Her scholarship makes a meaningful contribution to more equitable and grounded conversations about the future of work.