Álvaro Fernández-Baldor is an associate professor in the Department of Engineering Projects at the Universitat Politècnica de València - UPV (Spain). With an interdisciplinary background, he holds degrees in Industrial Engineering (University of Cantabria), Automation Engineering (University of the Basque Country), a Master’s in Rural Development (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), and a Ph.D. in Agri-food and Environmental Economics (UPV). His research focuses on development processes, citizen science, participatory methodologies, grassroots social innovation, and the social impact of technology. His doctoral thesis examined the social impact of rural electrification projects using renewable energy in the Andes, through the lens of human development and the capabilities approach. He is currently the principal investigator on several research projects related to his topics.