DR ANDREW AZZOPARDI
Ed.D. , M.Ed., B.Ed. (Hons.), Dip. Soc. Work
Lecturer
Department of Youth & Community Studies,
Faculty of Education,
University of Malta,
Tal-Qroqq, Msida - MSD 2080, MALTA (Europe).
T: (+00356)23402918
F: (+00356)23402918
E-mail: andrew.azzopardi@um.edu.mt
Website: www.andrewazzopardi.org
Biographical Note
Andrew Azzopardi is a Lecturer within the Department of Youth and Community Studies (Faculty of Education) at the University of Malta. His lecturing focuses on sociology, critical pedagogy, disability politics, inclusive and multi-cultural education, community management, emancipatory research, narrative enquiry, youth and community studies. Dr. Azzopardi is currently coordinating a Masters in Inclusive Education and Communities.
He has had papers published in the applauded journals of disability studies; Disability and Society and The International Journal of Inclusive Education, had several pieces of work published in an electronic journal of the University of Leeds, reviewed books for the British Educational Research Association (BERA) and co-authored two texts, Developmental Programme for PSD Teachers (2000)and Creating Inclusive Schools (2002). He recently published a text, Career Guidance for Persons with Disability and contributed a chapter in the forthcoming reader Disability and the Politics of Education: An International Reader.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Education:
- St. Joseph Primary School
- St. Aloysius College Secondary School
- New Lyceum Complex Sixth Form
Qualifications:
- Doctorate in Education - University of Sheffield
- Masters in Education - University of Sheffield
- Bachelor of Education - University of Malta
- Diploma in Social Work - University of Malta
Doctoral Thesis:
Reading stories of inclusion: Engaging with different perspectives towards an agenda for inclusion.
Dissertation Tutor:
Professor Danny Goodley, Manchester Metropolitan University
CURRENT APPOINTMENT
Lecturer:
I lecture with the Department of Youth and Community Studies, Faculty of Education.
The main courses I lecture in are the following:
• Youth work management practice;
• Young people and social exclusion;
• Interagency approaches;
• Youth work management theory;
• Education and training theory;
• Critical theory;
• Disability issues;
• Qualitative and narrative research methods;
• Critical theory and pedagogy;
• Academic writing skills.
I am also involved in the following;
• Supervise Youth and Community Work students in their dissertation (BA) and theses (MA);
• Dissertation Coordinator for the Masters Programmes;
• Co-ordinate the Masters In Inclusive Education and Community.
Media:
I produce and present a radio show on Campus FM and Radju Malta on current issues.
I coordinate the production of the Department’s Newsletter Meeting Points
Open Seminar Series:
I have organised three open series seminars for the Department of Youth and Community Studies;
‘Beyond the formal: An educational experience made real’, ‘narrative enquiry’ and ‘US Politics in transition’.
Tutored the following MA Students:
| Maria Costa | Challenging behaviour in young children: A case study of three Maltese state schools | M.Ed University of Malta | 2008 |
| Nicolette Distefano | Unaccompanied Minors and Their Quest for Freedom | MA Y&C Studies University of Malta | 2008 |
| Maria Pisani | Perceptions of an Odyssey: Exploring the Interaction Between Young Female Asylum Seekers and HIV | MA Y&C Studies University of Malta | 2008 |
| Gaetano Vella | The Challenges of Media Literacy and The Maltese Education System | MA Y&C Studies University of Malta | 2008 |
| Sean Zammit | Multicultural experiences in Primary State Schools | M.Ed University of Malta | 2008 |
| Marilyn Mifsud | Understanding and conceptualising Professor Edward Debono | MA University of Malta | 2008 |
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
Social Worker:
Between 1996 and 2005 I practiced as a Social Worker and Service Area Leader with Agency SAPPORT coordinating a team of 7 social workers
University ‘Visiting’ Lecturer:
I contributed in the following:
• Faculty of Education: Department of Youth and Community Studies, Psychology Department, Primary Education Department.
• Faculty of Economics, Management and Accounts: Department of Social Policy and Social Work.
• European Documentation and Research Centre (EDRC).
Care Manager:
Between 1992 and 1996 I was Care Manager at Dar il-Kaptan, Foundation for Respite Care Services. My role was to coordinate the care, community and residential services. This was a progression from my previous role as a Community Worker where I was involved in converging community resources to service-user requirements. I was involved in working with parishes, local based organisations and NGO’s. I was involved in designing programmes of awareness on the media and also organised parent support week-ends, youth programmes and siblings workshops.
Community Worker:
In 1996 I worked with Agenzija Sedqa as a Community Worker at the Detox Centre and at the Santa Marija Therapeutic Centre.
Youth Programme Facilitator: I facilitated week-end programmes for youths as part of Sedqa’s strategy of awareness on the negative effects of drugs, alcohol and gambling.
Link Teacher:
I was Link Teacher for the Council of Europe project – Democracy in Schools (1998-2000).
Further Education Trainer:
I was commissioned by the Education Division to lecture teachers during in-service and further professional development programs (2002-2003).
Programme Coordinator:
I was commissioned by Agenzija APPOGG to co-ordinate a Disability Studies Program for professionals working in the disability field (2001).
Board Member:
I was appointed Board Member of the Foundation for Respite Care Services (1998-2000).
President MASW:
I was President of the Maltese Association of Social Workers (1996-1998).
Focus Group Member (NCC):
I was a member of the Focus Group on Inclusion, commissioned by the National Curriculum Council as part of the process for the implementation of the NMC (2001-2003).
Inclusion Project Member:
I was a member of the project on the implementation of inclusive practices in State, Church and Independent schools funded by the Education Division.
School Consultancy:
I have provided on site consultancy to primary, secondary and post-secondary independent and church schools on the design of positive ‘inclusion’ practices.
Fieldwork Teacher in Social Work:
I supervised students who are on their Social Work Placement.
Post-Graduate Degree:
I lecture students who are undergoing a Post-Graduate Course in Inclusive Education Coordination (INCO’s).
Social Work Student Selection Process:
I was appointed to assess students taking the BA (Social Work and Social Administration).
Teaching Practice Tutor:
I have assessed over one hundred (100) students during their teaching practice.
NGO Adviser:
I am Adviser to the National Parents’ Society for Disabled Persons.
Multi-Action Planning Systems (MAPS):
I have conducted MAPS sessions for students in Year 6 as part preparation for the transition to secondary school.
Short Course:
I run short courses on youth issues for AZAD.
PUBLICATIONS
Text: Reading Stories of Inclusion: Engaging with different perspectives towards an agenda for inclusion (2009). VDM Verlag Dr Muller Publications. ISBN: 978-3-639-14142-9
Text: Understanding Disability Politics in Malta: New Directions Explained (2009). VDM Verlag Dr Muller Publications. ISBN: 978-3-639-14861-9
Text: Creating Inclusive Schools: Guidelines for the implementation of the National Curriculum Policy on inclusive education (2003).
Text: Programme of studies for PSD teachers (2003).
Text: Career guidance for young persons with disability (2008).
Paper: Journal: Disability and Society
A case study of a parents’ self-advocacy group in Malta. The concepts of ‘inclusion, exclusion and disabling barriers’ are analysed in the relationship that parents have with professionals (2000).
Unpublished Pack: Worksheets:
Sib-shops for children and youngsters with disabled brothers and sisters: A practical set of sessions (2000).
Paper: Review for the British Educational Research Association (BERA):
Challenge and change in the Euro-Mediterranean region – Profs. Ronald Sultana (2002).
Paper: Journal: International Journal of Inclusive Education
Inclusive education and the denial of difference, is this the Cottonera experience? Exploring whether the discourse of inclusive education in this region has been hijacked by concerns over standards (2003).
Paper: Internet:
Disability News World – A disability movement is to be born – some reflections from an outsider (2003).
Paper: Internet:
Education on-line – How has the ideal of schooling been inherited from the English Empire? (2004).
Paper: Internet:
http://www.kullhadd.com/kullhadd/20090328235/Opinjoni/id-dimensjoni-socjali-tat-tibdil-fil-klima.html
Paper: Internet:
http://cimo.uutiskirje.fi/newsletter/tine/newsletter/disabilities.php
Paper: Internet:
http://www.maltastar.com/pages/ms09dart.asp./?a=3888
Paper: Internet:
http://www.illum.com.mt/2009/06/21/t16.html
Paper: Malta Review of Educational Research: A rason d’ etre for multicultural education in Malta (2008)
Chapter contribution: Reading stories of inclusion: Engaging with different perspectives towards an agenda for inclusion in Disability and the politics of education - An international reader (Editors - Susan L. Gabel & Scot Danforth) (2008).
Newspaper Articles: The Malta Independent, The Times of Malta, Malta Today, In-Nazzjon Taghna, L-Orrizont, Di-ve.com, Maltastar.Com
The themes included; youth policy issues, poverty, disability, multi-cultural issues, inclusive education, social justice, social policy, politics and euthanasia.
AWAITING PUBLICATION
Paper: Inclusive education and the denial of difference, is this the Cottonera experience? Exploring whether the discourse of inclusive education in this region has been hijacked by concerns over standards.
Paper: Are the students at Lorenzo Gafa’ Boys’ Secondary School, Vittoriosa achieving to their full potential? Lorenzo Gafa’ Boys’ Secondary School: How has the ideal of schooling been inherited from the English Empire?
Paper: Lorenzo Gafa’ Boys’ Secondary School: Work-related learning – the cost and benefit of linking education to the labour market.
Paper: Journal: Disability and Society
Using narrative in educational research. Creating a new way of including informants in research.
Paper: International Journal of Inclusive Education
Understanding discursive communities: Identity negotiation in contemporary societies
Editorial: International Journal of Inclusive Education
Editorial: Creating inclusive communites
Paper: Re-negotiating multicultural education
Text: Inclusive Communities: A reader (2010). Sense Publishers.
Text: Inclusive Education – the Maltese perspective (2010). Horizon Publishers.
Text: L-Istorja tad-Dizabilta'. PIN Publications
PUBLIC LECTURES
Keynote Speaker:
Presented a paper at the Fourth European Down’s Syndrome Conference (Malta, 1999).
Keynote Speaker:
Keynote speaker and Chair at Edward Debono’s International Conference on Creativity (University of Malta, 2000).
Public Lecture:
University of Leeds (2002) on narrative research.
Poster Exhibition:
University of Lancaster and University of Leeds – Disability Studies Conference (2003).
Public Lecture:
University of Manchester (2004) on minority politics.
Public Lecture:
University of Malta (2005) on emancipatory research.
Keynote Speaker:
Keynote speaker and Chair at Edward Debono’s International Conference on Creativity (University of Malta, 2004).
Paper Presentation:
Presented a paper at the Disability Studies Conference organised by the University of Leeds, York and Lancaster (2004).
Paper Presentation:
I presented a paper on Education: Inclusion or Exclusion? During the CHOGM People’s Forum held in Malta in 2005.
Paper Presentation:
I presented a paper during the annual EUPU Conference entitled; Career Guidance for persons with disability – (University of Malta, 2006).
Paper Presentation:
Understanding the context: Drawing out the implicit (Open Seminar Series) – (University of Malta, 2006).
Paper Presentation:
Positioning narrative in our research agenda – Reading stories of and on inclusion: Folly in the method – (University of Manchester, 2008)
RESEARCH
Currently engaged, together with a colleague on a research funded by the University of Malta on irregular migration. This will lead to at least one publication, a public conference and 2 research papers.
SHORT COURSES (ATTENDED)- 1996: Positive approaches to solving challenging behaviour (Institute of Applied Behavioural Analysis, California, USA).
- 1998: International Conference on Inclusion (Malta).
- 2000: The state, teacher education and policy development: Control and the politics of possibility. (International Sociology of Education Conference, Sheffield, UK).
- 2000: Edward Debono’s course in Thinking Skills and Creative Thinking.
- 2000: Edward Debono’s International Conference on Creativity (Malta).
- 2001: Attended a course on staff supervision organised by Agenzija APPOGG.
- 2002: A Sedqa Training programme for Youth Leaders.
- 2003: Attended a conference on Disability Studies organised by the University of Lancaster and the University of Leeds.
- 2004: Attended a conference on Disability Studies organised by the University of Lancaster, York and Leeds.
- 2005: A seminar on the cultural, social and vocational effects of tourism on young people.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Researching the voice of young people within a globalised mindset.
• Youth policy in welfare state practices.
• Analysing the recent curricular changes, emphasis and developments in the field of youth and community studies.
• Defining young people within a narrative research base: Analysing the complex dilemma of working with informants and extracting data.
• Competence assessment and accreditation for an integrated formal and non-formal learning.
• Capitalising on youth curiosities and oddities.
• The body beautiful and disabled youth culture.
• Researching youth minorities – analysing the convergence of youth radicalism.
• Youth popular culture.
• Disaffected youth: Re-interpreting community boundaries.
• The potential of networking between agencies working with young people: Unravelling the seemingly hostile experience and lack of inter-agency liaison.
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA - COMMITTEES
• Faculty committee on ICT affairs (Member)
• Faculty committee on PGCE Review (Member)
• Faculty committee on new Faculty building (Member)
• Department committee on MA Dissertations (Chair)
CIVIL SOCIETY COMMITTEES
• Working group on the review of Youth policy appointed by the Minister of Education, Youth and Culture (2008)
• Working group on Climate Change Policy Review (2009)
EDITORIAL ROLES
• Department of Youth and Community Studies – Newsletter Editor
• International Journal of Inclusive Education – Editorial Panel
MEDIA
RTK Radio (1995):
I co-directed and presented a series of 22 hours on Radio RTK that dealt with social inclusion.
Education 22/PBS (2007-2008):
I participated as an expert (resident guest) on social issues on 27 Breakfast Shows (Education 22/PBS) – 2006-7
Education 22/PBS (2008):
Presented and produced a series of 13 programmes on Education 22/PBS
Campus FM Radio (2006-2009):
Presented and produced the following programmes which dealt with social, political and current issues: 4 editions (18 programmes per edition) – ‘Kontra l-Kurrent’
http://campusfm.um.edu.mt/pages/webcastspages/kontrakurrent_mainpage.html#series_4
1 edition (18 programmes) – ‘Taht l-Ilma’ http://campusfm.um.edu.mt/pages/webcastspages/Taht_Ilma.htm
1 edition (18 programmes) – ‘Crieki’ http://campusfm.um.edu.mt/pages/webcastspages/Crieki.htm
2 editions (18 programmes per edition) – ‘Inizjattiva’ http://campusfm.um.edu.mt/pages/webcastspages/inizjattiva.htm
2 editions (18 programmes per edition) – ‘KURRENTI’
http://campusfm.um.edu.mt/pages/webcastspages/kurrenti.htm
Campus FM (2008):
Weekly newspaper-scan (Analizi tal-gurnali)
Radju Malta (Ongoing):
‘Ghandi x’ Nghid’ – A current affairs Live programme every week on a Saturday morning
Net TV (Ongoing):
Contribute expertise on social, political and current issues every week on the daily breakfast show.
(see Biographical Note)
