Biography
Dr. De Giovanni graduated with an honours degree in psychology at the University of Malta in 1997 attaining the shield for best dissertation. She then followed a PGCE in Primary Education specializing in inclusion in 1998 following which she commenced her career at Fra Diego Bonanno Girls’ Secondary School, Marsa. In 2000, she joined the Programme for Teaching and Learning in Diversity at the University of Malta and trained as a Let Me Learn Trainer and Consultant both in Malta and at Rowan University, USA.
Dr. De Giovanni is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Scientist having read for an MSc in Occupational Psychology between 2001 and 2003. She also holds an Associate Fellowship from the British Psychological Society. In 2002 she took up the post of Team Leader at the Inclusion Education Unit at MCAST where she was responsible for the transition of students with learning disabilities from compulsory education to the college. In 2004, she was appointed lecturer within the Vocational Teacher Training Unit where her main responsibility was that of offering pedagogical training to lecturers. Between 2008 and 2012 she held the posts of Deputy Director and Director of the Institute of Community Services.
Dr. De Giovanni lectured SPSS and Research methods for Primary and Secondary Education, Guidance Theories and Psychology of Work on a part-time basis at the University of Malta. She also taught pianoforte and theory of music between 1998 and 2008 and holds the ALCM and ATCL in pianoforte performance and an FTCL in Music Education. In 2012 she successfully defended her PhD thesis at the University of Nottingham entitled: “Transitions Amidst Transition: The journey of Maltese students from compulsory education to further education and/or work.”
Dr. De Giovanni was also consultant for the European Commission and for the Council of Europe involving VET in Malta. She is also qualified as a Lead Auditor for ISO 2001:2008. Her main interests are evidence based policy, research methods and the effects of transitions on families. Currently Dr. De Giovanni is the co-ordinator for the Master in Family Studies at the University of Malta.
Research Interests & Publications
Research Interests
- Transitions from Compulsory to Further Education and/or Work
- Change Management and Leadership
- Aviation Psychology
- Life-Career Development
- Work-Family Balance
- Childcare
Selected Publications
De Giovanni, K. 2016, "Childhood" in Sociology of the Maltese Islands, ed. M. Briguglio and M. Brown, Agenda Publishers, Malta.
DeGiovanni, K. 2016, "Preparing our Students to Leap: Learning from the experiences of Maltese female adolescents in their transition to Further Education.", 6th Ethnography and Qualitative Research Conference .
Abela, A., Farrugia, R., Vella, A. & DeGiovanni, K. 2015, "Familialistic countries need a family-inclusive service when caring for the mentally ill; the case of Malta.
", Families, Relationships and Societies., vol. July.
Cauchi, C. & DeGiovanni, K. 2015, "The Influence of Personality Traits on the Wellbeing of University Students: A Quantitative Study.
", Malta Journal of Health Sciences., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 55.
Spiteri, D. & DeGiovanni, K. 2011, "The Life-Course Transitions of Young Women in a Maltese Context", The International Journal of Emotional Education, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 70.
DeGiovanni, K. & Spiteri, D. (2010) 2010, "The Transition from Secondary School to Vocational Education and Training" in Innovative Apprenticeships: Promoting Successful School-to-Work Transitions., eds. F. Rauner, E. Smith, U. Hauschildt & H. Zelloth, 2nd Edition edn, INAP and LIT Publishing, Berlin.
DeGiovanni, K. 2007, "Il sistema di istruzione e formazione professionale iniziale a Malta (IVET): una panoramica. ", Rassegna CNOSS, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 21.
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