Mariangela Lavanga is Assistant Professor in Cultural Economics at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. She lectures in the Bachelor in Cultural Studies, the Pre-Master in Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship, and the Master in Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship. Her expertise lies in the analysis of the interrelations between cultural and creative industries and cities, creative cities, creative clusters and cultural policy. The fashion and design industries are her new topics of research. Mariangela has over 10 years of academic and professional experience as a researcher, lecturer and consultant. She has provided research and consultancy services for government authorities, foundations and organizations across Europe.