My name is Carlo Cavicchia, and I am an assistant professor at Erasmus School of Economics. I am originally from Italy, but I have been living in the Netherlands for several years now. I truly love Rotterdam’s energy. My favourite thing is simply walking through the city and experiencing it as it is.
Hobbies
In my free time, I have been going to the cinema more often, where I have had the opportunity to discover movies that I probably would not see at home by myself. One of my recent favourites is Anora, which received a lot of attention and won several awards. Furthermore, I like going to the gym, playing squash, and cycling out of the city when I have the time and if the weather is nice.
I have also been very lucky to travel a lot. Taiwan inspired me because of the incredible kindness of the people and its amazing food culture. Every meal felt like a new experience. Another country I loved was Costa Rica, for its breathtaking nature. I was amazed by how many shades of green exist.
Road to academia
I started my career in academia mainly because a professor encouraged me in that direction. At the time, I was more or less ready to go into business and find a job in a company. But looking back, I am glad of the choice I made, as I think it makes sense that I ended up in research. As a kid, I was always a bit curious, and I always wanted to discover new things and invent ideas.
My research revolves around data science in general, especially the computational and methodological aspects of statistics. More specifically, I work on clustering and dimensionality reduction. These methods help capture and uncover patterns in high-dimensional datasets.
My goal is always to find something insightful from data in a fast and efficient way. That is why I focus a lot on algorithms: they need to be efficient in terms of time, storage, and memory, but also interpretable. The statistical side is essential because it helps us understand and explain what we are finding.
‘Don’t rush the outcome. The real progress happens in the process of learning and growth’
Application makes theory come to life
I sometimes feel that theoretical approaches in economics can become too abstract and somewhat heavy for students, especially if they are not clearly linked to applications. As a teacher and researcher, I try to build a bridge between real-world problems and theory. In my experience, that is what makes a topic come alive for students.
When I moved here about five years ago, I found a very vibrant academic environment. At Erasmus University Rotterdam, scholars from different fields collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. I really value that atmosphere, because it makes research more open and actively creative.
Stay curious
I like working with students who are curious. It does not matter how much background knowledge you already have. What matters is that you want to learn, that you enjoy the process, and that you do not rush success. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: stay curious and develop critical thinking. That is one of the most valuable skills you can build as both a student and a person.
Also, do not limit yourself to one narrow topic too quickly. Economics and data science are both highly interdisciplinary, and you gain a lot by exploring broadly. Do not focus only on becoming an expert in one small area but try to build a wider perspective and connect ideas across fields.
And finally, don’t rush the outcome. Enjoy the process of learning and growth, because that is where the real progress happens.
- Assistant professor
- More information
This item is part of Backbone Magazine 2026. The magazine can be found in E-building or Theil-building for free. Additionally, a digital copy is available here. Backbone is the corporate magazine of Erasmus School of Economics. Since 2014, it is published once a year. The magazine highlights successful and interesting alumni, covers the latest economic trends and research, and reports on news, events, student and alumni accomplishments.
