Isabelle Gatt graduated from the University of Malta in Theatre Studies/Communications and a PGCE (Drama Education). She worked as a drama teacher, and later pursued her interest in TV production by following postgraduate in-plant media-production training with RAI-ROME/MILAN working on peak time programmes such as Avanzi, Blob, Mi Manda Lubrano (RAI 3), L'Albero Azzurro, Mixer (Minoli), Tocca A Noi (Biagi) (RAI 2), Unomattina (RAI 1) and Audiobox, Radiouno per Tutti, Dentro la Sera. Following this, she worked freelance in cinema and produced her own TV series for children (Dinu).
Isabelle was awarded her Ph.D by the University of Exeter in 2007. She read for this under the supervision of Prof. Debra Myhill, Dr Susan Chezroy and Mr.Steve Cockett. Her thesis is entitled 'Challenging Policy, Changing Practice: Introducing Drama as a Curriculum Innovation'.
Isabelle has lectured full time at the University of Malta since 1995. She is the MTL Drama co-ordinator/lecturer within the Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education Department. She also co-ordinates/lectures in the Creativity and Arts Programme MTL (Primary) and the (B.A ECEC). For 15 years Isabelle produced and directed theatre productions specifically for children working with teachers in training. These TQ (TeatruQroqq) Projects, included devised work in Maltese & English and play-adaptations of stories by Roald Dahl and Oscar Wilde, which were performed in mainstream theatres. The last produced were a collective creation in shadow puppetry based on Creation Myths and a TIE which dealt with environmental issues. She now collaborates with Teatru Malta, directing plays for the Trikki Trakki Festival.
Isabelle has lectured at the Universities of Exeter , Oslo, Utrecht, Amsterdam and Stranmillis as well as on Masters Programmes in Adult Education UoM, The Edward de Bono Institute as well as on the European Masters in Early Childhood Education & Care at the Stratclyde University, Scotland on the module Aesthetics of Children's Culture.
BOARD MEMBER on NATIONAL COMMITTEES: 2003-2008 St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity. 2005-2008 ARTSCOUNCIL- Malta. 2008-2013 Public Broadcasting Service (Malta) 2008-2013 Malta Eurosong Advisory Board
Dr Isabelle Gatt has participated in a number of international projects and delivered Master classes which link Creativity and Arts as pedagogical innovation:
- RIAC (Regional Identity and Active Citizenship) Network from Nov 2002 -Dec 2005, an EU COMENIUS -programme (3100297 CP-1-2002-1-AT-COMENIUS-C3). In RIAC questions of different layers of identity and active citizenship (affective, cognitive and pragmatic citizenship) were linked and translated into innovative pedagogical and didactical approaches, tools, materials, courses and curricula, enhancing the European dimension of school education on a regional level. Isabelle was also partner in the research project
- ACTION METHODS IMPROVING MOTIVATION AND QUALITY IN LEARNING SITUATIONS ( 2 Comenius European In-Service training Courses - Malta in October 2006 and May 2007)
-The CREATIVE LITTLE SCIENTISTS (European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) no. 289081 PARTNER Creative Little Scientists brings together creativity and science and mathematics in preschool and first years of primary education It provides a clear picture of existing and possible practices, as well as their implications and the related opportunities and challenges. The project proposes guidelines, curricula and exemplary materials for teacher training in the various European contexts.
-MITO ( Moving Into Theatre Organisations) - an Erasmus+ Social Theatre project with 2 other countries to start in 2016 - still at application stage.
- lectured and delivered Masters Drama workshops at the following universities: 2017 April Drama as Pedagogy of the Imagination- Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Høgskulen på Vestlandet) International BA drama and applied theatre) 2015 April Creative Processes in Drama and Art Hoge School Utrecht Netherlands 2011 Oct Creativity and Drama in Education – University of Helsinki B. Ed.degree. 2008 Sept European Masters in Early Childhood Education & Care Stratclyde University Scotland: Aesthetics of Children’s Culture: Residential Programme lectured in Drama Education – Narr-Action! workshop 2007Oct International week: Window to the World University College of Oslo to deliver 4 workshops in Drama entitled Narr-Action- creative processes and storytelling 2003 March Lecturing to Post Grad. Students in Education at the University of Exeter: Socrates Exchange: Drama Masters course in the Classroom during Creativity Week
