PASTORI GIULIA GABRIELLA ELENA

My research examines how educational settings can become environments that foster learning, participation, well-being, inclusion, and innovation.

Initially focused on early childhood education and care (ECEC), intercultural education, and the quality of educational relationships, my research has progressively expanded to encompass student agency, democratic citizenship, school improvement, and, more broadly, the democratic quality of educational institutions.

A distinctive feature of my work is the integration of qualitative, participatory, and mixed-method approaches within research–practice partnerships. Through these methodological frameworks, I seek not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to support educational innovation and the professional learning of teachers, school leaders, and educational professionals.

I lead and collaborate in national and international research projects funded through competitive programmes, working in partnership with universities, public authorities, schools, and third-sector organisations. I view research as a space where scientific inquiry, educational practice, professional learning, and institutional engagement continuously inform and strengthen one another.

Research Areas

My research is organised around four closely interconnected areas:

• Student Voice, agency, democratic citizenship, and democratic education – exploring students' participation, the recognition of their agency, and the development of democratic school cultures through participatory methodologies and collaborative research.
• Educational quality, inclusion, and well-being – investigating the quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC), school environments, and teaching and learning processes, with particular attention to educational well-being, inclusion, and democratic school cultures.
• Participatory research and research–practice partnerships – developing methodological frameworks that integrate educational research, pedagogical innovation, and professional learning through qualitative, participatory, and mixed-method approaches.
• Teacher education and professional development – examining initial and continuing teacher education, instructional consultancy, educational leadership, and school improvement processes.