Swiss education policy promotes mobility and exchange as a means of enabling people of all ages, but especially the younger generation, to acquire intercultural, linguistic, specialist and international skills during their initial and continuing education. Among the activities and initiatives offered by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) are programmes for doctoral students who wish to undertake a visiting period. One such student is Giulia Paludo, a doctoral student at the University of Trento, currently visiting the Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education (DFA/ASP). We met her for a chat to find out about her experience of mobility.
Giulia, can you tell us about your journey so far?
I have a background in psychology and cognitive science. After obtaining my master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), I gained experience both in business and research, working on UX (user experience) and human factors, as well as clinical experience with learning disorders. Ultimately, however, I fell in love with educational technology, which allowed me to combine my two passions, cognitive science and technology. I am currently a PhD student in Learning Sciences and Digital Technologies at the Universities of Trento and Modena-Reggio-Emilia. I work in computer science education and, specifically, my PhD project focuses on the cognitive correlates and educational aspects of computational thinking.
Why did you choose the DFA/ASP for your visiting period?
During my Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, I was taught by Professor Angela Pasqualotto, currently co-head of the Competence Centre for School, Social and Educational Needs at the DFA/ASP. I really appreciate her as a researcher and admire her work and approach, and this opportunity was the right time for me to start a collaboration. I have always loved looking at things from different perspectives, and working on my research with different professionals is a fundamental part of enriching my educational journey.
What particularly struck you about the new academic environment?
At the University of Trento, I belong to a completely different environment, as I am based at the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science (DISI), a computer engineering department and a FabLab laboratory that is very reminiscent of a technology workshop. The DFA/ASP is the complete opposite. The more relaxed approach to educational research that I have found here, combined with the peaceful surroundings, has been very stimulating for me in exploring new perspectives and methodologies, while also broadening my view of educational research and learning processes in inclusive contexts.
How is this visiting experience contributing to the development of your project?
The project I am working on deals with computational thinking from a cognitive, pedagogical and didactic point of view. Here at the DFA/ASP, I am working at the Competence Centre for School, Social and Educational Needs to explore its link with executive functions through the design of a study that will start at the beginning of the next school year and investigate the relationship between computational thinking, executive functions and reading skills. During my visiting period, I would like to proceed with the definition and pre-registration of two studies and improve some of my methodological skills. In addition, I would like to deepen my knowledge of cognitive functions and inclusive teaching approaches that are being explored at the DFA/ASP.
In your opinion, what skills can a mobility experience develop or strengthen?
Working on your own project with the same people for long periods of time leads to becoming very immersed in the subject matter and taking certain aspects for granted that, instead, need to be discussed in greater depth than is usually the case, perhaps superficially, at a conference. At the same time, observing and “stealing like an artist” the interesting aspects of other people's research practices is also hugely valuable for professional, academic and personal growth, as well as for networking opportunities, not only during the visit but also for long-term collaborations.
Do you think mobility can facilitate entry into the world of work?
Without sugarcoating it too much, especially in Italy, due to issues of overqualification or even skills mismatch, an academic career is not always an advantage when entering the job market, particularly in the field of education. Regardless of this, however, I believe that experiences of this kind are enriching in themselves and promote the cross-fertilisation of valuable practices and know-how in any field, not only professionally but also for personal growth.
What will you take away from this experience?
Above all, I am taking home a greater awareness of how the same subject of study — in my case, computational thinking — can be investigated and interpreted using different approaches, both methodological and theoretical. I had the opportunity to observe more relaxed yet extremely productive ways of working, which made me reflect on how rhythms and contexts influence the quality of research work. Overall, I feel that I have enriched my knowledge both in terms of content and in terms of my vision of my role as a researcher.
What advice would you give to a student who is considering participating in a mobility programme?
I would definitely recommend taking this opportunity, even if it may seem challenging or daunting at first, especially because of the bureaucracy involved. Leaving your comfort zone not only allows you to expand your network, but also opens up new perspectives, ways of working and approaches to research that are difficult to explore when you stay in the same place. International mobility stimulates adaptability, flexibility and interpersonal skills, all of which are essential in both academia and the workplace. In addition, the support provided by the mobility staff was very reassuring: they were always available, attentive and ready to respond to any need. It is a deeply enriching experience, both personally and professionally, and one that I would recommend to anyone who wants to challenge themselves.