Born in Rome, Professor Conti moved to the UK when she was 19 years old.
She studied Anthropology, History and Sociology, did some research on life transitions and reasons to migrate, and then moved back to Rome. Professor Conti started teaching at AUR in 2012 and, as she says, “I continue to do so very happily.”
Professor Conti simply loves studying and acquiring new skills and knowledge. She is a counselor specialized in existential reprogramming - helping people to change their life-path; and she studies and practices Ayurveda, an ancient form of healing and traditional medicine from India.
Q. When were you happiest?
Last year, in Varanasi, India. It was a dream come true to be there, in this incredibly beautiful city by the Ganges.
Q. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I had different dreams growing up, as a child, I wanted to be an archaeologist and a farmer. As a teenager, I wanted to be an explorer and an anthropologist living an exciting life somewhere remote, discovering the essence of human life on this planet. Now my dream is to become a successful writer and philanthropist.
Q. What is your computer and/or phone wallpaper?
Now is an open book – a reminder for me to keep writing and living life as an adventure.
Q. Which word or phrase do you most overuse?
"Good morning!", all my lectures are at 9am this semester! And, “where is my car?”
Q. What is the worst job you’ve ever done?
Data entry for an audio books company in London – so boring! And marketing research, administering questionnaires to potential clients over the phones, it was terrible! I don’t think I lasted more than 2 or 3 days.
Q. If you weren’t a professor, what would you be?
I would open a small shop to sell books and herbal remedies in Rome, or I would move to the countryside and open a holistic center... life is full of possibilities.
Q. What trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Self-doubt and procrastination. I wish I could be more confident about my projects and more efficient in transforming ideas into reality.
Q. What trait do you most dislike in others?
Intellectual dis-honesty and arrogance. You should always be aware of your limitations; nobody knows it all.
Q. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Anything with chocolate and nuts in it.
Q. If you could travel back in time just once, where and when would you go?
I would like to meet the Buddha, 2,500 years ago and join his original community (sangha).
Q. How do you relax?
I meditate regularly, learning to relax in your own mind is the most important skill and practice, and I try to be outdoor and to connect with nature as much as I can.
Q. What is the most important lesson that life has taught you?
That we all have a story to tell and that we are here to help and support one another. “Together we stand, divided we fall” – is my favorite quote - from Pink Floyd
Q. If you could bring something extinct or a deceased historic figure back to life, what/who would it be?
I would like to have a drink with all my favorites writers and philosophers: Simone de Beauvoir, Socrates, Plato, Dumas, the list is endless.
Q. Tell us a secret…
I have lots of grey hair, I hope one day to join the silver ladies movement, I haven’t mustered the courage to do so, just yet.
If you'd like to know more about Professor Conti, read her academic biography here.