Laura Secco, Associate Professor and vice-coordinator of LERH Doctoral Program, at the Dept. TESAF, University of Padova, Italy. She obtained a MSc in Forest Sciences (1995) and a Ph.D. in Forest Policy and Economics (1998). Before accessing the University, she worked 11 years as consultant in the field of forest and environmental certification, forest planning, and rural development. She was the first National Secretary of FSC-Italy (2001–2005). In 2005, she obtained a position as researcher at the University of Padova, starting her academic career. She has also been involved, as scientific coordinator, in more than 30 international, national, and local projects. Main fields of interest are forest policy and governance, social innovation, cultural ecosystem services, evaluation and monitoring indicators, rural development, rural areas, and participatory approaches. She is a member of the Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA) and the Italian Association of Agriculture and Applied Economics (AIEAA), FSC-Italy, and co-founder and member of Etifor srl.