Giovanni Canitano began his career in 1995 as a researcher at the CNR Institute of Wood Technology in San Michele all'Adige (TN), focusing on structural and economic analyses of the wood and furniture industry in Italy. Subsequently, he conducted studies on characterizing and implementing wood quality to enhance the use of raw materials, ensure sustainable land management, and generate environmental and socio-economic benefits.

Currently, he is involved in database management for socio-economic statistics and oversees the updating and implementation of the Mediterranean Economies database. He heads the Mediterranean Digital Humanities Lab (MDHLab), an interdisciplinary research infrastructure of the National Research Council (CNR). The primary goal of MDHLab is to further develop projects undertaken by the Institute for Mediterranean Studies (CNR - ISMed) and its numerous scientific partners.

Giovanni conducts various research studies, focusing on topics such as water and food security in Mediterranean countries, ecological and digital transitions, sustainability, circular economy, peace, scientific diplomacy, and one health. He is a founding member of Club Limes Napoli, a member of the Steering Committee, and serves on the scientific committee of the Geopolitics Meetings organized by the Club.

As the Referent of the ISMed Technical and Scientific Secretariat, he also holds positions as Network Administrator, Webmaster, and Head of the institute's library. He has been a member of the ISMed Institute Council since December 2019. Since 2023, he has been collaborating with the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cultural Heritage of the CNR, in managing and supporting research activities in the humanities and social sciences and their valorization.