Giuliana Famiglietti-Pipola

Meet Giuliana  

Sometimes, one number can change everything. For Giuliana Famiglietti-Pipola, it was 10.7 years, the difference in life expectancy between men living in different parts of Coventry. That statistic sparked something in her.

Giuliana shares: 

“When I heard for the first time the fact that across the city there is a difference in life expectancy of 10.7 years in men (and 9.4 in women), I decided that this was not fair and that something had to be done! I applied for the role of Research Ambassador to make a difference to that number and many others across the city.” 

Giuliana is a Business Development Manager in the Economic Development Service, where she supports new and growing businesses to create jobs and boost Coventry’s economy. As a Research Ambassador, she’s focused on making business support more inclusive and equitable - reaching those who might not normally seek help or know it’s available. 

Before becoming an Research Ambassador, Giuliana hadn’t heard of the HDRC or the concept of health determinants - the factors that influence people’s health, like housing, education, employment, and digital access. Now, she’s passionate about using this knowledge to make a difference. 

Making business support more Inclusive 

Giuliana’s Research Ambassador role has helped her team rethink how to deliver support. Two standout examples include: 

• Working with social enterprises to reach underserved communities - such as people from ethnic minority backgrounds or those receiving social care. 

• Supporting community business hubs to build trust between businesses and the Council, making support more accessible and impactful. One successful initiative has offered free energy audits and grants to help businesses improve energy efficiency - saving money and supporting sustainability. 

Driving innovation and collaboration 

Giuliana has also been involved in four Horizon Europe funding bids, which could bring new opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and international collaboration. These projects would involve universities and partners across Europe, helping Coventry stay at the forefront of research-led development. 

Personal growth and passion 

Giuliana’s journey as a Research Ambassador has been transformative: 

• She’s learned how the HDRC works and why it matters. 

• She’s built new relationships with organisations across the city. 

• She’s started a Leading Innovation course, focused on inclusion, innovation, and equality. 

Giuliana states:

“The HDRC started as something on one side, and then the more you know about it the more you start seeing that actually this is not something that is an aside, it is something that we should be embracing in everything that we do.” 

Her passion for making a difference, especially for those who might be overlooked, is a powerful reminder of what the Research Ambassador role is all about.