The winners of the thirteenth edition of the Premio National “Amato lamberti2026, the award dedicated to the memory of the Neapolitan sociologist and politician who for years has promoted studies on criminal phenomena, mafias, and social transformation. The Scientific Committee has awarded three scholarships of one thousand euros each to young researchers distinguished by the originality and value of their research.
The initiative is sponsored by the City of Naples and represents one of the most significant events in the field of studies dedicated to legality and the fight against organized crime.
The winners of the doctoral category
For the doctoral theses category, the award was given to Lorenzo Sorgente, born in Genoa and resident in Milan, a PhD from the University of Milan in the XXXVII cycle of Organized Crime Studies.
His research, titled "The Game in the Stands. Relationships between Fans and Organized Crime in Modern Football," explores the relationship between organized fandom and criminal infiltration in contemporary football. His thesis was developed under the supervision of Professor Monica Massari and Professor Vittorio Martone, with the coordination of Professor Fabio Basile.
Also receiving an award in the PhD section was Nicola Cavallotti, a native and resident of Parma, who also studied at the University of Milan. His work, titled "For a Genealogy of Deviance. Ecological Conflicts, Capitalism, and Power: Producing Localities in the Case of Valtrompia," offers an analysis of the social, economic, and environmental processes that influence the dynamics of deviance in areas affected by ecological conflicts. The research was supervised by Professor Giuseppe De Luca, with coordination by Professor Fabio Basile.
The Master's Thesis Award
In the master's theses category, the award went to Anna Borghetti, born in Gardone Val Trompia and resident in Lumezzane, in the Brescia area.
The young scholar earned her master's degree in Public Policy – Crime and Security Analysis from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan with a thesis entitled "Characteristics of Legal Firms Involved in Waste Crime: Evidence from the Italian Waste Sector." The study analyzes the characteristics of legal firms involved in environmental crimes related to the waste cycle. Her advisor was Professor Serena Favarin, and her co-advisor was Professor Francesco Calderoni.
The support of patrons
The three scholarships were funded thanks to the contributions of the patrons who support the "Amato Lamberti" National Prize. These include the Museum of Truth and Falsehood, chaired by Luigi Giamundo; the companies EPM, led by Carmine Esposito, and Tecno, led by Giovanni Lombardi; and the Rotary Club of Naples Posillipo, District 2100, led by President Raffaele Scarpa.
The initiative also received ongoing support from Georgophile entrepreneur Enrico Micillo, the historic Gran Caffè Gambrinus with Arturo and Antonio Sergio, and the social cooperative Radio Siani, the event's media partner.
The ceremony at Palazzo San Giacomo
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Sala Giunta of Palazzo San Giacomo, the seat of the Municipality of Naples.
The demonstration will be attended by the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi; the Prosecutor of the Juvenile Court of Naples, Patrizia Imperato; the Attorney General of the Court of Appeal of Naples, Aldo Policastro; the National Co-President of Libera, Francesca Rispoli; and sociologist Rocco Sciarrone, president of SISMA, the Italian Scientific Society for Mafia and Anti-Mafia Studies.
Also expected to participate are former world boxing champion Patrizio Oliva and director and screenwriter Mara Fondacaro, who co-wrote the story for the film La Salita with Massimiliano Gallo and Riccardo Brun.
A plaque in memory of magistrate Nicola Giacumbi
During the ceremony, a special plaque will be awarded in memory of Nicola Giacumbi, the magistrate killed by terrorists on March 16, 1980.
The closing debate will feature contributions from Franco Roberti, honorary president of the Award, and Roselena Glielmo. The proceedings will be coordinated by Nino Daniele.
The 2026 edition thus confirms the "Amato Lamberti" Prize's mission to promote academic research and scientific exploration on the topics of organized crime, legality, and active citizenship, enhancing the contributions of new generations of scholars.
The initiative seems interesting and useful to young researchers, even if the dissemination seems a little elitist, the grants are few and do not cover all the costs, the names mentioned are good but the communication lacks transparency, however we hope that this prize will bring work and studies in the area.