Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr Farini (Associate professor of Sociology) academic background is rooted in Social Sciences, with a PhD in Sociology of Intercultural Communication (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 2008), MA in Social Anthropology (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 2005) and a second MA in Social History (University of Bologna, 2002). He worked as a Researcher and Lecturer in Sociology of Education, Childhood Studies, Youth Studies and Intercultural communication at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (2005-2013) and as Research Fellow at the University of Urbino (Sociology) and University of Bologna (Early Modern History).
Between 2013 and 2015 Dr Farini worked as Research Fellow and Lecturer in Education at Middlesex University in London, where he was a founding member of the Centre for Educational Research and Leadership. Before Joining the University of Northampton, Dr Farini worked as Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Early Childhood at University of Suffolk. Dr Farini is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Research Interests
For more than 15 years, several successful research bids have made it possible for Dr Farini to apply knowledge and skills to empirical investigations. He has been researching professionally through national and international projects in fields of Sociology of Intercultural Communication, Cultural Sociology, Globalization Theories, Social Theory, Communication Studies, Sociology of Education, Youth and Childhood studies, Policy evaluation, and the sociolinguistic analysis of interaction. Other areas of expertise concern Equality and Social Justice in access to education and healthcare, Sociology of Conflict and Peace Studies.
Dr Farini takes pride in the commitment to positive impact on communities that characterises his research and teaching. Since 2003, he has been researching and developing training opportunities within projects supported by European and national Agencies, regional and Local Authorities. Dr Farini’s research concerns the inclusion of migrant children and young people in education, youth subcultures and cultural studies, migrant-friendly services, conflict management, intercultural education, client-centred interpreting in healthcare and education, and the role of digital media in the diffusion of knowledge.
In 2020 the volume he had edited with Angela Scollan (Middlesex University), 'Self-determination of children in Early Childhood Education and Services', published by SpringerNature, was recognised has a top publication commtted to promote the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, 'quality education' with more than 4,200 copies sold as for 31.12.2020.
Dr Farini also had an important role in planning and managing the Centre for Educational Research and Scholarship (CERS) at Middlesex University, leading the Special Interest Group Network (SIGN), ‘Childhood and Society’ for two years, optimising resources and expertise while securing the active involvement of academics, professionals, students and stakeholders.
Dr Farini has authored numerous successful research bids (for an estimated amount of £530,000 directly attributable to him). The most recent succesful bids consist in three EU-funded research project. The first project, is 'Children Hybrid Integration: Learning Dialogue as a way of Upgrading Policies of Participation' (Child-UP, Horizon2020, MIGRATION-05-2018). Child-UP is a complex project including: a review of existing, national integration policies and legislation across all partner countries; a survey of migrant children and their parents to gauge their experiences of schools, interviews with parents and teachers about how they perceive the education relationship and practice observation looking at the teaching styles, and programmes of activities to support migrant children’s integration in schools.
The second project, SPACEX (lead by Andrew Hewitt) is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie action to transform urban space in places of democratic participation through public art sees the participation of 27 partners in 9 EU countries and 1 Third Country, Palestine.
The third project, ‘Shared Memories for Dialogues’ (SHARMED, Erasmus+ KA3) was complerted in December 2018. SHARMED aims to promote the inclusion of migrant-background children in the classroom, linking to both intercultural education and the use of digital technology. Using visual material and digital technologies, SHARMED encourages children’s work on their personal and cultural memories, promoting children’s participation in telling and negotiating stories.
In 2015 Dr Farini worked with the London Borough of Waltham Forest towards the development of Leyton Jubilee Park as a meeting place for a multicultural community. Earlier in his career, Dr Farini was the principal investigator and advisor within an EU-funded project under the program ‘Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, 2007-2013’. The Project (‘Local Forums for Participatory Democracy’) offered the opportunity to research on the impact of digital media on social participation and in the dissemination of knowledge(s) among children and adolescents.
Dr Farini is currently a member of the European Research Network Trust dynamics in the governance of children and youth (Roskilde University, Denmark). In 2014 he was elected as vice-president of the International Sociological Association Research Committee 25, Language in Society and editor of its peer-reviewed journal, ‘Language, Discourse and Society’. Some of his professional memberships include the British Educational Research Association, British Sociological Association, European Sociological Association, International Association of Dialogue Analysis, International Pragmatics Association, Society of Science and Technology Studies.
In 2014 Dr Farini was appointed by the Swiss Government as reviewer for research projects under the COST European Co-operation in the Field of Science and Technology framework.
For the REF2021 exercise Dr. Farini coordiantes the submision of the Unit of Assesment 21, Sociology, at the University of Northampton.
Teaching Interests
Dr Farini’s expertise in social research is a resource for his teaching. He has taught Research Methods on modules across all undergraduate and postgraduate levels, while supervising undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD dissertation projects. Dr Farini has a rich experience in teaching research methods to students who are not (yet) familiar with the epistemology of social sciences.
Dr Farini has taught 25 modules across all undergraduate and postgraduate levels in English HE institutions, taking responsibilities as co-leader or leader for most of them. He has developed several new modules and been involved in the re-validation of BA and MA programmes. In 2019, he lead the design adn validation of the MSc Public Sociology, the only Public Sociology programme offerd by English HEIs. Dr Farini’s profile as a professional educator is further reinforced by his experiences as an external examiner for BA programmes at Manchester Metropolitan University, St. Mark and St. John University in Plymouth and Sheffield Hallam University, as well as external examiner for MA prgrammes at t. Mark and St. John University in Plymouth and Liverpool John Moores University.
Dr Farini’s contribution to the research capacity of his institutions also includes supervision of doctoral students, following Director of Studies Training at Middlesex University, and recognition of qualification as a Primary PhD supervisor granted by Essex University and East Anglia University. Recently, he has successfully completed further PhD supervision training at Essex University and University of Suffolk.
Supervision
PhD Supervision (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia)
Natacha S.A. Niemants, Supervisor, 2009-2012, PhD in Translation Studies
Chiara Ballestri, Supervisor,2011-2013, PhD in Sociology
PhD Supervision (Middlesex University)
Amira Ghaffour, First Supervisor, 2015-, PhD in Intercultural Education
Evelyn Corrado, Second Supervisor, 2014-, PhD in Sociology of Education
Angela Scollan, Second Supervisor, 2014-, PhD in Children’s Rights
PhD Supervision (University of Suffolk in partnership with University of Essex and East Anglia University)
Kate Sida-Nicholls, Principal Supervisor, 2016-, PhD in Organisation Studies
PhD Supervision (University of Northampton)
Jacqueline White, First Supervisor, 2017-
Melissa Symonds, Director of Studies, 2018-
James White, First Supervisor, 2019-
Rosie Robson, Director of Studies, 2020
PhD Supervision (Regents University in partnership of University of Northampton)
Mehari Fissera, Director of Studies, 2018-
Karen Woodhall, Director of Studies, 2020-
Qualifications:
University of Suffolk, PhD Primary Supervisor Qualification, 2016
University of Essex and East Anglia University, PhD Primary Supervisor Qualification, 2015
Middlesex University, PhD Director of Studies for Qualification, 2014
Education/Academic qualification
Higher Education Academy
Award Date: 11 Mar 2015
PhD, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Award Date: 19 Mar 2008
Master, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Award Date: 2 Apr 2005
Master, Universita degli Studi di Bologna
Award Date: 17 Jul 2002
Bachelor, Universita degli Studi di Bologna
External positions
Expert Reviewer for COVID-19 recovery projects , Italian Government, Ministry of Education, Universities and Research
2020 → …Member of REPRISE (Register of Scientific Experts), Reviewer for Research Projects, section ‘Fundamental Research’, Ministry for University and Scientific Research
2018 → …Reviewer for the Newton Prize, UK-based project in partnership with South-American countries, UNESCO
2018 → …International member of the PhD Studies Committee for the School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
2017 → …Reviewer for Coopération européenne dans le domaine de la recherche Scientifique et Technique (COST, European Co-operation in the Field of Science and Technology) framework, European Commission
2014 → …, Reviewer for Research Projects , Swiss National Science Foundation SNF
2014 → …Keywords
- HM Sociology
- HT Communities. Classes. Races
- LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education
- GN Anthropology
- H Social Sciences (General)
- HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
- PC Romance languages
- PQ Romance literatures
- GT Manners and customs
Fingerprint
- 29 Similar Profiles
Projects
- 1 Active
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CHILD-UP: Children Hybrid Integration: Learning Dialogue as a way of Upgrading Policies of Participation
1/01/19 → …
Project: Research › European
Research output
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A hope to trust. Educational leadership to support mature students’ inclusion in higher education: an experience from Surrey, England
Farini, F. & Scollan, A., 9 Sep 2019, In: International Journal of Leadership in Education. 0, 0, p. 1-26 26 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
The paradox of citizenship education in Early Years (and beyond). The case of Education to Fundamental British Values
Farini, F., 1 Dec 2019, In: Journal of Early Childhood Research. 17, 4, p. 361-375 15 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
In, out and through digital worlds. Hybrid-transitions as a space for children’s agency
Farini, F. & Scollan, A., 24 Nov 2019, In: International Journal of Early Years Education. 28, p. 36-49 14 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › peer-review
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Children’s Self-determination in the Context of Early Childhood Education and Services: Discourses, Policies and Practices
Farini, F. (ed.) & Scollan, A. (ed.), 20 Jul 2019, 1 ed. Springer. 284 p. (International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Development)Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
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Inclusion Through Political Participation, Trust from Shared Political Engagement: Children of Migrants and School Activism in Italy
Farini, F., 7 Jan 2019, In: Journal of International Migration and Integration. 20, 4, p. 1121-1136 16 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
As a Conclusion, to the Future: A Discussion on Trust, Agency and the Semantics of Rights in Intergenerational Relationships
Farini, F., 9 Jun 2019, Children’s Self-determination in the Context of Early Childhood Education and Services : Discourses, Policies and Practices. Farini, F. & Scollan, A. (eds.). Amsterdam: Springer, Vol. 25. p. 267-280 14 p.Research output: Contribution to Book/Report › Chapter › peer-review
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From the Child to the Pupil to the Child. Trust Based on Categorical Inequalities and the Quest for Alternatives Towards a More Inclusive Education
Farini, F., 23 Oct 2019, In: Italian Journal of Sociology of Education. 11, 3, p. 246-264 19 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Irish Social work at the crossroads: cultural and organisational boundaries between professional practices and the voices of the children
Farini, F., Scollan, A. & McNeill, E., 6 Sep 2019, (Accepted/In press) In: Socialno Delo/Journal of Social Work.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
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Horizon 2020 Child-UP, Forth Partnership meeting and international workshop
Federico Farini (Participant), Claudio Baraldi (Participant), Dympna Devine (Participant), Holliday Adrian (Participant), Helen Avery (Participant), Per Mouritsen (Participant), Angela Scollan (Participant), Jane Murray (Participant) & Evangelia Prokopiou (Participant)
15 Feb 2021 → 16 Feb 2021Activity: Participating in or organising a conference or workshop › Organising a conference or workshop › Research
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Being and Becoming online. A pedagogical experimentation of digital education in the UK
Federico Farini (Keynote speaker), Angela Scollan (Keynote speaker) & Anne-Maria Mäkelä (Author)
15 Feb 2021Activity: Academic Talks or Presentations › Keynote › Research
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Horizon 2020 Project Child-UP, Third Partnership meeting and international workshop
Federico Farini (Participant), Claudio Baraldi (Participant), Shannon Damery (Participant), Krystyna Slany (Organiser), Holliday Adrian (Participant), Angela Scollan (Participant) & Helen Avery (Participant)
20 Jan 2020 → 22 Jan 2020Activity: Participating in or organising a conference or workshop › Organising a conference or workshop › Research
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OMEP Ireland Conference
Federico Farini (Participant) & Angela Scollan (Participant)
9 Dec 2019Activity: Participating in or organising a conference or workshop › Participating in a conference or workshop › Research
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The Child-UP Project. Seminar for a delegation of Chuo University (Japan) students led by Prof. Chikako Takeishi
Federico Farini (Participant), Angela Scollan (Participant) & Chikako Takeishi (Participant)
1 Nov 2019Activity: Participating in or organising a conference or workshop › Organising a conference or workshop › Research
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International Journal of Early Years Education (Journal)
Federico Farini (Reviewer)
Jul 2019 → …Activity: Publication Peer-review and Editorial Work › Publication Peer-review › Research
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Narratives of Exclusion, Narratives of Belonging
Federico Farini (Speaker) & Angela Scollan (Speaker)
19 Aug 2019 → 24 Aug 2019Activity: Academic Talks or Presentations › Oral presentation › Research
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Children’s participation in early childhood: realistic, rhetorical, problematic?
Federico Farini (Speaker), Angela Scollan (Speaker) & Feng Ling Tang (Speaker)
20 Aug 2019Activity: Academic Talks or Presentations › Oral presentation › Research
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Press / Media
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CHILD UP: BBC Radio Northampton interview Dr Federico Farini and Dr Jane Murray
6/02/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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