Marco Venturini, PhD

Dr. Marco Venturini is a leading scholar and practitioner in transgender and LGBTQ+ health, specializing in inclusive sexual education and mental health advocacy. With over 12 years of experience in clinical research, policy development, and educational program design, he has contributed to advancing understanding and support for transgender communities worldwide. His work combines rigorous scientific methodology with community-centered approaches to promote equity and well-being.

Specialization

Transgender Health & Wellbeing
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sexual Education
Gender-Affirmative Therapy
Mental Health Advocacy for Trans Youth
Policy and Community Outreach

Education

2005–2009: BSc in Psychology, University of Milan
2009–2011: MSc in Gender Studies, University of Padua
2011–2015: PhD in Transgender Health and Social Policy, University of Bologna

Professional Experience

2015–2017: Clinical Researcher, Trans Health Unit, Milan LGBTQ+ Center
2017–2020: Program Director, European Trans Youth Initiative
2020–Present: Senior Consultant, Global LGBTQ+ Policy and Education Programs
Visiting Lecturer, Gender Studies Departments, University of Milan and University of Bologna

Selected Scientific Publications & Research Cases

Venturini, M. et al. (2022). "Impact of Gender-Affirming Education Programs on Trans Youth Mental Health." Journal of LGBT Health, 18(3), 210–228. Case Highlight: Implemented a school-based program reaching 1,200 trans and non-binary students across Italy, showing a 40% reduction in reported anxiety symptoms after 6 months.
Venturini, M., & Rossi, L. (2020). "Community-Led Interventions in Trans Health Education." International Journal of Transgender Studies, 15(2), 95–112. Result: Developed a peer mentorship model adopted by three regional LGBTQ+ centers, increasing community engagement by 65%.
Venturini, M. (2018). "Policy Implementation for Inclusive Sex Education in Italy." European Journal of Sexual Education, 10(4), 301–319. Outcome: Influenced national guidelines to integrate transgender-inclusive curricula in 250 schools nationwide.

Professional Memberships

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
European Network for LGBTQ+ Health Education
Italian Society of Gender Studies (SISG)

Participation in International Projects

Lead Researcher, UNESCO “Transgender Youth and Inclusive Education” (2021–2023) Impact: Developed toolkits adopted in 12 European countries, improving educator competency by 50% according to post-training assessments.
Advisor, UNDP LGBTQ+ Policy Integration Project (2019–2022) Outcome: Contributed to policy reforms in 7 countries supporting legal recognition of transgender youth in schools.
Director, EU Horizon 2020 "Trans Health Equity Initiative" (2017–2020) Achievement: Published first European-wide dataset on access barriers for transgender adolescents.

Work on Educational Programs

Developer of "Gender-Affirming School Curriculum" for secondary schools
Creator of online workshops and webinars for trans youth and families
Mentorship programs for educators and healthcare professionals on transgender-inclusive practice

Interviews, Lectures, and Podcasts

TEDx Talk: “Empowering Trans Youth Through Education” (2022)
Guest expert on Rai Radio 1: “Inclusive Education and Gender Identity”
Contributor to the podcast “Trans Voices: Stories and Strategies”

Unique Values and Experience

Marco Venturini combines rigorous research with a deep commitment to community empowerment. His work emphasizes practical, measurable impact—translating scientific findings into educational programs, policy reforms, and mental health improvements for transgender communities. Known for bridging academic research and grassroots activism, Marco brings a rare combination of expertise, empathy, and advocacy.