Michael Tonetti is a researcher at the Geneva Graduate Institute working on the “Synthetic Lives: Futures of Mining" research project, financed by the European Research Council and led by Professor Filipe Calvão. His specific areas of focus within this project are the global graphite supply chain, the emerging significance of synthetic graphite in the transition to clean energy, and the implications of artificial intelligence in the mining sector. In addition to these topics, Michael is interested in the political economies driven by mineral and

metal production, particularly boom-and-bust cycles and their societal impacts. He has also conducted research examining the links between land use, human rights, and deforestation. Prior to returning to academia, Michael built a career as a speechwriter and communications advisor for several elected officials in Los Angeles, California.