Biography and expertise

Biography

Lucia Stacchiotti is an early childhood teacher, pedagogista, counsellor, and psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience dedicated to intertwining theory, practice, and research in ECE. She is committed to fostering the transformative potential of ECE, grounded in the belief in the innate potential of human beings and the power of early education to stimulate collective thinking and create new possibilities. She views education as a common good.

Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of mentoring students and teachers in Italy and Australia and serving as editor of The Challenge Magazine.

Research

Her academic background includes Master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education, Dynamic Educational Approaches, Special Education, Pedagogy, and Human Sciences. She also holds a Master’s in Clinical Pedagogy and a qualification in Psychotherapy. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Education, focusing on the sense of belonging in Early Childhood Contexts.

In her work, Lucia supports children, families, teachers, and educators, believing that a profound sense of care is fundamental to education. She is inspired by Danilo Dolci’s vision that “each one grows only if dreamed” (1973), and as Jerome Bruner reminds us, education embodies our dreams and hopes for the future (1996). Through co-research and co-creating narratives, she believes in the power of writing each other’s stories as much as our own (Mackay, 2014).

Lucia is committed to creating a community of thinkers who, together, co-construct knowledge to enrich early childhood education.

Links

Organisational affiliations

Associate Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Southern Cross University

Academic, SCU Ventures, Southern Cross University

PhD Candidate, Curtin University (Australia, Perth)

Education

Master in Pedagogy and Human Sciences
2012–2014, Master in Pedagogy and Human Sciences , University of Macerata (Italy, Macerata) - UNIMC

2-year program – Coursework and Research Level: High Distinction Research dissertation and oral presentation: Towards Planetary: The fusion of New Horizons. Pedagogic reflections and educational perspectives

Master in Early Childhood Education and Teaching
2005–2009, Master in Early Childhood Education and Teaching , University of Macerata (Italy, Macerata) - UNIMC

4-year program – Coursework and Research Level: High Distinction Research dissertation and Oral Presentation: Music: Stories of Languages and Cultures

Master in Clinical Pedagogy
2015–2017, Master in Clinical Pedagogy , OIDA, (Psychological And Pedagogical Training Centre For Studies And Research)Naples, Italy

2-year program – Coursework and Research – Level: High Distinction – Research dissertation and oral presentation: The Child: A Multisensory Experience of the World

Master in Inclusive Practices and Diverse Abilities in Early Childhood Education
2010–2011, Master in Inclusive Practices and Diverse Abilities in Early Childhood Education, University of Macerata (Italy, Macerata) - UNIMC

1-year program – Coursework and Research – Level: High Distinction – Research dissertation and oral presentation: Experiencing Social Connections and Generating Collective Knowledge Through The Little Prince's Drama)

Graduate Diploma in Trauma-Informed Processwork Psychotherapy
2022–2023, Graduate Diploma in Trauma-Informed Processwork Psychotherapy , Pathways Psychology Institute, Galston, NSW, Australia

2-year program – Coursework and Research – Research dissertation and oral presentation: Finding Authenticity: Overcoming Fear and Living a Life True to Yourself

PhD Candidate in Education
2023, PhD Candidate in Education , Curtin University (Australia, Perth)

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF LA PIAZZA IN AUSTRALIAN EARLY CHILDHOOD SETTINGS - This research project explores how community-building spaces in early childhood settings can foster social connection and well-being, particularly in response to the increasing prevalence of loneliness and social disconnection in Australia and other Western societies. Grounded in my deep interest in relational pedagogies and spatial dynamics, this study investigates the role of la piazza as a catalyst for meaningful interactions, belonging, and collective experiences within early childhood education contexts through a post qualitative research lens.