Roberta PIAZZA

2017 –: Full Professor of Education, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania
2006-2017: Associate Professor of General and Social Pedagogy at the Faculty of Education of the University of Catania 
2004-2006: Researcher of General and Social Pedagogy at the Faculty of Education of the University of Catania
2002-2004: Post PhD grant in Education, University of Catania – Faculty of Education
1999-2002: PhD, University of Catania – Faculty of Education 
1993-2004: Senior secondary school teacher of Italian, Latin, History and Geography
1991-1993: Tenured primary school teacher
1988-1991: Teacher of Italian, History, Geography at the Teachers' School

Academic responsibilities
2023-: Vice-President of the School of Higher Education for Teachers of the University of Catania (December 2023-)
2018-2022: Coordinator teaching activities of the Degree course in Educational Sciences, University of Catania
2018-: Scientific coordinator of the University Commission for the validation and the recognition of skills in continuing education courses for working adults 
2016-: Director of the University Research Centre on Community Engagement - CURE (Community University Research Engagement) (2016-)
2017-2019: Rector’s Delegate for Continuing Education and Lifelong learning
2016-: Delegate to represent the University at the General Assemblies of RUIAP (Italian University Continuing Education Network) and EUCEN (European University Continuing Education Network) (2017-)
2011-2015: Coordinator of University Postgraduate Course in Expert in job Placement Services

Participation in doctoral colleges
Educational processes, theoretical-transformative models and research methods applied to the territory, University of Catania (2020-)
Learning and innovation in social and work contexts, University of Siena (2019/20)
Cultural heritage, education and territory, University of Tor Vergata (Rome) (2017/18); Comparative studies: languages, literatures, education, University of Tor Vergata (Rome) (2016/17 and 2015/6) 
Humanistic Studies, University of Tor Vergata (Rome) (2013/4- 2012/13)
International Doctorate in Educational Sciences, University of Tor Vergata (Rome), in consortium with the University of Granada (2009-2012)

Quality assurance expert and examiner
2019-: External experts for European Commission to assist in the evaluation of grant applications and projects
2018-2022: President of the quality assurance committee for the egree course in Educational Sciences, University of Catania
2018-2022: External examiner for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Professional and Vocational Education) Faculty of Education and Human Development, University of Hong Kong 
2017-2022: Quality assurance evaluator on a national level for undergraduate and post graduate programs in Education by the National Agency of University Evaluation (ANVUR 2017-2019) and for evaluations of new programmes (2018-)
2016-: Expert for Italian Scientific Evaluation (RePRISE), Ministry of University Research (MIUR)

Membership
2021-: Member of the Scientific Committee of UNESCO Lucca learning city
2020-: Co-Coordinator of the Research Network 4 "National Strategies for Lifelong Learning" of the ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning (ASEM LLL Hub)
2018- : Member of the Executive Board of RUIAP, Network of Italian Universities for Lifelong Learning (2018-2024)
2014-: Associate Director in Europa di Pascal Observatory (Place management, Social Capital and Learning Region, www.pascalobservatory.org)
2006-2011 Member of Executive board of Carip (Center for Continuing Education) of the University of Catania

Participation to Editorial Boards 
Member of the Journal Scientific board LLL - Focus on Lifelong Lifewide Learning (2016-)
Member of the Journal Editorial board of the book series CHIRONE. Processi e progetti educativi e di sviluppo nelle differenti età e nei diversi contesti di vita, directed by Liliana Dozza e Isabella Loiodice (Junior-Bergamo Publishers) (2014)
Director of the book series Learning Culture. Collana di studi e ricerche sul Lifelong learning (ARACNE Publisher) (2013-)
Member of the Journal Editorial board I problemi della pedagogia (2012-)

Visiting professor
University of Glasgow, Scotland (25/03-28/03/2013) (30/07-03/09/2015) (5/08-31/08/2016), (5th August-16th August 2019)
University of East China Normal University, China (5th of March-19th of March 2018)
PNU, Normal University of Philippines, Manila, Philippines (August 2018)
University of Cantabria, Spain (2021-2023)
Research fellows, University of Limerick, Ireland (August 2012)

Teaching activities (selected)
Adult Education (1st and 2nd level) (2006-), Pedagogy (1st  level) (2010-), Educational Planning (2nd level) (2021-), Social Pedagogy (1st level) (2007-2011), Pedagogy of Lifelong learning (2nd  level) (2008-2010), European policies on Lifelong learning (1st level) (2013); Pedagogy for special teachers, teachers training courses (2006-)

Ultimo aggiornamento: 15/04/2024

Reserach projects (last 5 years)

Coordinator of the local unit PRIN 2022 PNRR, Linea SUD: A multidisciplinary approach for aNalysis and percepTion of envIronmentaL and natural rIsks for enhanced social awarenesses in Part of Southern Italy (2023-2025). 

Co-coordinator of the project  Gender Equity and Inclusion in Lifelong Learning Policies and Opportunities in the Workplace for Professional Advancement, funded by ASEM Lifelong Learning Research Network # 4: National Strategies for Lifelong Learning (2023)

Membro del Comitato scientifico del Progetto di qualificazione e aggiornamento delle competenze del personale docente, sui processi di apprendimento, sull'innovazione e sulle metodologie didattiche dell’Ateneo di Catania (2018-2019, I e II edizione); responsabile scientifica della misura per docenti del primo anno dei Corsi di studi triennali e a ciclo unico dell’Ateneo (2018-2019, I e II edizione); incaricata dell’attività formativa del modulo Pratiche riflessive in comunità di apprendimento, nell'ambito del Progetto formativo Staff developement per docenti Senior (2018-2019, I e II edizione). Il Progetto di qualificazione e aggiornamento è stato interamente finanziato dal MIUR

Coordinator of the local unit (2021-2023) STEAM+ Skill Development in early Childhood Education and Care in Europe KA227 – Partnership for Creativity of the Erasmus + - 2020-1-HU01-KA227-SCH-094051

Coordinator of the local unit (2020-2023) J. Monnet networks Social and scientific innovation to achieve the sustainable development goals 620739-EPP-1-2020-1-AU-EPPJMO-NETWORK. Grant 375.000 euro 

Co-coordinator of the project  (with prof. M. Caserta, Unict)  Jersey Roots Global Reach: Rutgers as a Center for an International Organization, capofila Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, che ha finanziato il progetto ($6,000.00). Il progetto ha l’obiettivo di sviluppare comportamenti responsabili e collaborativi tra i giovani a Catania, in modo da favorire la sostenibilità economica e ambientale.

Coordinator of the local unit AIM – Accessible Information Material KA2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices KA204 - Strategic Partnerships for adult education (2019-2021) (n. 2019-1-IT02-KA204-063185).

Coordinator of the local unit  SUPER – Percorsi di orientamento e tutorato per promuovere il successo universitario e professionale, nell’ambito del progetto Piani di Orientamento e Tutorato (POT) 2017-2018, 2020. 

Coordinator of the local unit Erasmus + KA2, The Unteachables- Helping the new generations of school teachers turn increasingly unteachable young students into young learnables (Project 2018-1-DK01-KA203-047061) (2018-2020)

TERZA MISSIONE

• Organizzazione di una giornata di visita del Dipartimento e di una lezione per gli studenti della scuola elementare (Leonardo da Vinci) sul lavoro dell’archeologo, tenuta dal prof. Orazio Palio (2010-2011).
• Verso una learning city, invitata, alla Terza edizione del Festival dei Saperi La città che apprende, Scandicci, 29-30 Novembre 2013, organizzata da EdaForum in collaborazione col Comune di Scandicci e la Regione Toscana http://www.comune.scandicci.fi.it/index.php/eventi/3486-29-e-3011-allacciaiolo-il-festival-dei-saperi.html.
• Co-coordinamento scientifico delle attività legate alla costituzione dell’Urban center di Acireale e alla realizzazione del progetto Acireale learning city (luglio 2015-2017).