Roberta PIAZZA

Professional and Academic Roles

• 2017 – present: Full Professor of Education, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania

• 2006 – 2017: Associate Professor of General and Social Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, University of Catania

• 2004 – 2006: Researcher in General and Social Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, University of Catania

• 2002 – 2004: Postdoctoral research fellow in Education, University of Catania – Faculty of Education

• 1999 – 2002: PhD in Education, 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 and Geography at the Teachers' School

Institutional Roles

• 2023 – present: Vice-Coordinator, School of Higher Education for Teachers, University of Catania

• 2018 – 2022: Coordinator of teaching activities, Bachelor's Degree in Educational Sciences, University of Catania

• 2018 – present: Scientific Coordinator, University Commission for validation and recognition of competences in continuing education courses for working adults

• 2017 – 2019: Rector’s Delegate for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

• 2016 – 2023: Director, University Research Centre on Community Engagement – CURE (Community University Research Engagement)

• 2016 – present: University Delegate to the General Assemblies of RUIAP (Italian University Network for Continuing Education) and EUCEN (European University Continuing Education Network)

• 2011 – 2015: Coordinator, Postgraduate University Course for Experts in Job Placement Services

Participation in Doctoral Programmes

• 2020 – present: Doctoral programme Educational Processes, Transformative Models and Research Methods Applied to the Territory, University of Catania

• 2019 – 2020: Doctoral programme Learning and Innovation in Social and Work Contexts, University of Siena

• 2017 – 2018: Doctoral programme Cultural Heritage, Education and Territory, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

• 2015 – 2017: Doctoral programme Comparative Studies: Languages, Literatures, Education, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

• 2012 – 2014: Doctoral programme Humanistic Studies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

• 2009 – 2012: International Doctorate in Educational Sciences, University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and University of Granada (Spain)

Quality Assurance and Evaluation Activities

• 2024 – 2025: Panel Member for the Evaluation of R&D Units 2023–24, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal

• 2024: Member of External Evaluation Committee (EEC), evaluation/accreditation of higher education programmes, Cyprus Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA)

• 2019 – present: External expert, European Commission (evaluation of grant applications and project monitoring)

• 2018 – 2022: President, Quality Assurance Committee, Bachelor's Degree in Educational Sciences, University of Catania

• 2018 – 2022: External Examiner, Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Professional and Vocational Education), Faculty of Education and Human Development, University of Hong Kong

• 2017 – 2022: Quality Assurance Evaluator for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Education (ANVUR); Evaluator for new programme proposals (2018–)

• 2016 – present: Expert for the Italian Research Evaluation System (RePRISE), Ministry of University and Research (MIUR)

Memberships in Scientific and Professional Networks

• 2021 – present: Member, Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Learning City of Lucca

• 2020 – present: Co-Coordinator, Research Network 4 “National Strategies for Lifelong Learning”, ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning (ASEM LLL Hub)

• 2018 – 2024: Executive Board Member, RUIAP (Italian University Network for Lifelong Learning)

• 2014 – present: Associate Director for Europe, Pascal Observatory (Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Region)

• 2006 – 2011: Executive Board Member, CARIP (University Centre for Continuing Education), University of Catania

Editorial Responsibilities

• 2016 – present: Scientific Board Member, LLL – Focus on Lifelong Lifewide Learning

• 2014: Editorial Board Member, book series CHIRONE. Educational and Development Processes Across Life Stages and Contexts (Junior–Bergamo Publishers)

• 2013 – present: Series Editor, Learning Culture. Studies and Research on Lifelong Learning (ARACNE Publisher)

• 2012 – present: Editorial Board Member, I problemi della pedagogia

International Visiting and Research Activities

• 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019: Visiting Professor, University of Glasgow, Scotland

• 2018: Visiting Professor, East China Normal University, Shanghai

• 2018: Visiting Professor, Philippine Normal University, Manila

• 2021 – 2023: Visiting Scholar, University of Cantabria, Spain

• 2012: Research Fellow, University of Limerick, Ireland

Teaching Activities (selected)

• Adult Education (Bachelor’s and Master’s level) (2006 – present)

• Pedagogy (Bachelor’s level) (2010 – present)

• Educational Planning (Master’s level) (2021 – present)

• Social Pedagogy (Bachelor’s level) (2007 – 2011)

• Pedagogy of Lifelong Learning (Master’s level) (2008 – 2010)

• European Policies on Lifelong Learning (Bachelor’s level) (2013)

• Pedagogy for Special Teachers, Teacher Training Programmes (2006 – present)

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).