updated March 2025

Marco Pitzalis Ph.D.

 

Marco Pitzalis (Ph.D.) 

Full professor of Sociology of cultural processes

University of Cagliari – Italy

Via Sant’Ignazio 78 – 09129

Email: pitzalis@unica.it

 

Director of the Department of Political and Social Science - University of Cagliari (July 2024-2027).

 

Research Affiliations

Department of Political and Social Sciences– University of Cagliari

Associate member of Centre Européen De Sociologie et de Science Politique -  EHESS Paris. 

 

Editorial collaborations

Member of the Editorial Board of “Scuola Democratica” (ed. Il Mulino). http://www.scuolademocratica.it (2014-2023)

Member of the Board of Rassegna Italiana di Sociologia ” (ed. Il Mulino). (2014-2023)

Former Member of the Board of Sociologica ” (ed. Il Mulino). (2014-2018)

Former Member of the Board of the Italian Journal of Sociology of Education (2012-2018).

 

Expertise and consultation activities. 

2024-2025 - Delegate of the Italian Association of Sociology - Education Section as an observer at the Coordination Table on digital and media literacy, coordinated by AGCOM (Authority for Communications Guarantees). 

2017-2021 - Coordinator of the university consultant group at the Department for Adult Education of the Ministry of Education

2014-2015 Collaboration with the Regional Ministry of Education (Region of Sardinia) to elaborate the Plan Iscol@ (students’ literacy skills, training teachers, technological innovation) financed by the European Social Fund.

2014 Collaboration with the Regional Ministry of Budget and Fund Programming for the programming of European funds for education (FSE – 2014/2020)

2009-2010 Collaboration with the Regional Ministry of Education of the Region of Sardinia, scientific responsibility for elaborating the plan for school-university orientation in Sardinia.

 

Evaluation

Member of the National Commission for Scientific National Habilitation in Sociology of Cultural Processes and Communication (from 2022 to 2024).

Member of the Advisory Board. HORIZON 2020 project “SMOOTH-Educational Spaces. Passing through enclosures and reversing inequalities” (Call: H2020-SC6-TRANSFORMATIONS-2020, DG/Agency: REA). Duration: 2021-2024

Referee for The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) CANADA. ANR

Referee for VQR-ANVUR 2015-2019

 

Administrative and organisational tasks

Coordinator of the Educational Section of Associazione Italiana di Sociologia (September 2022 -October 2024).

Coordinator of the Doctoral program in Research in Innovation and Social (2023-2024).

Coordinator of the Graduate Program in “Administration Sciences” (July 2015/2021).

Coordinator of the “Administration and Organization” undergraduate program (July 2015/2018).

Director of the Inter-University Centre of Educational Research – University of Cagliari, University of Sassari (2015/2021).

Director of the Interdepartmental Centre of Educational Research (CIRD- University of Cagliari) - (2009-2015).

Coordinator of the degree course in Administration Sciences and Bachelor degree course in Administration & Organization.

Member of the Board of the University of Cagliari (2004-2009).

Member of the commission for quality and assessment: “Progetto Qualità” (2007 – 2009).

 

Visiting and International Activities

From September 25 to September 29, 2023. invited to visit the Laboratoire CRIX – Études Romanes, Université de Nanterre. Participation in research meetings, pedagogical activities and seminars to plan further research collaboration and institutional agreements to develop exchange programs for students and scholars.

 06-26 Mai 2022, Visiting professor Université de Marne-la-Vallée, Paris-Est. Participation in research meetings and seminars. 

10 Mai 2022, Dans le cadre des séminaires CRIX-Transculturalités italiennes Université de Nanterre (Paris). Title of the lecture: “Arcipelago scuola. La produzione delle disuguaglianze a scuola”.

 2022 Université de Nanterre (France) – Lecture.

August-September 2018, Universidad de Córdoba – Conferences and lectures.

October 2015, SciencesPo, Paris, conference and research meetings.

Mai 2014, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris, lectures.

October 2012, University of Kentucky, lectures and conferences.

December 2010, Universidad Veracruzana, lectures and conferences.

Juin 2012, Journées d’études. La démocratisation de l’enseignement supérieur dans les régions périphériques françaises et internationales. 27 et 28 juin 2012 CURAPP – Université d’Amiens.

February 2006, Research and study meeting « L’université a-t-elle encore un avenir en Europe? » organised by ARESER - 11 February 2006 – Paris – ENS.

 

Responsible for the following International Agreements 

Universidad de Córdoba (Arg.) (2015)

University of Kentucky (USA) (2012)

Universidad Veracruzana (Mx) (2010)

I.Re.S.Co. Paris (France)  (2002)

 

Previous academic affiliations

2014-2023. Member of the Board of the Doctoral School in Sociology and the Applied Social Sciences University of Rome "La Sapienza".

2014-2015 Member of the Board of the Doctoral school in Political and Social Sciences (University of Sassari and Cagliari)

2010-2014 Member of UNIRES Italian Centre for Research on Universities and Higher Education Systems

2006-2014 Member of CIRD Centro interdipartimentale per la ricerca didattica, Università di Cagliari

2005-2013 Member of CSRI Centro Studi di relazioni Industriali, Università di Cagliari

2000-2001 Research assistant - Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales

 Invited Lectures

Invited lecture at the University of Nanterre (October 2023).

Invited lecture at the University of Nanterre (May 2022).

Invited lecture at XX Congresso Nazionale of SIO (Italian Society of Orientation) “Cultura e orientamento: traiettorie per sconfiggere le diseguaglianze e prevenire l’esclusione scolastica e lavorativa” 8-9 Ottobre 2020.  Lecture: “I dispositivi dell’orientamento e le dinamiche dei campi dell’istruzione” (9 ottobre 2020). Online conference.

University of Padua. Lecture at the doctoral school in Social Sciences on "The violence of institutions". Mai 08, 2020

University of Roma La Sapienza. Lecture at the Doctoral School of Sociology on " symbolic violence and social reproduction". April 21, 2020

Aix-en Provence LAMES-CNRS (France). Lecture: “La logique des choses : la dimension micropolitique de l’innovation à l’école” April, 13, 2018.

The University of Cordoba (ARG), conferences, lectures and seminars – 20 of August - 11 of September 2018

University of Roma La Sapienza. Lecture at the Doctoral School of Sociology on "Educational policies". Mai 23, 2017

University of Roma La Sapienza. Lecture at the Doctoral School of Sociology on "Educational policies". Avril 06, 2016

University of Padua, Lecture at the doctoral school in Social Sciences on "Domination and reproduction". Mars, 14, 2016

University of Pise, Lecture on "Domination, complicity and school reform". Mars, 15, 2o16

University of Naples Federico II, Lecture at the doctoral school of Sociologia e Statistica "Bourdieu: production, distinction, reproduction", Mars 06, 2016.

EHESS-PARIS. Lectures on “Etat, résistance, complicités. Le mouvement des bergers sardes face au capitalisme et face à l'État.” Within the program LLL Erasmus. 22-04/30-04-2014.

October 2012 - Invited professor, University of Kentucky - U.S.A.

December 2010 - Invited professor, Universidad Veracruzana – México.

 

Courses Taught

2015 – up to now. Classes of Sociology of cultural processes. Graduate school in Administration sciences. University of Cagliari.

2007 – up to now. Classes of Sociology of Education. Graduate School of Educational Sciences. Cagliari. University of Cagliari.

2013-2018 Classes of Sociology. Undergraduate School in Administrative Sciences. Cagliari. University of Cagliari.

2008-2014. Classes of Sociology. Graduate School of Educational Sciences. University of Cagliari

2004-2014. Classes of Sociology. Undergraduate School of Educational Sciences. University of Cagliari.

2002-2008. Classes of Sociology. School for Secondary Teachers Training (SSIS). University of Cagliari.

2000-2001. Classes of Sociological Practices - University of Evry – France. 

 

Third Mission

2021-2023 Institutional Agreement with Region of Sardinia: Socio-linguistic survey.

2017-2021 collaboration for the National Plan of Research on Adult Education with the Centre for Adult Education of Sardinia and the National Network of Centres for Adult Education (CPIA).

2017-2018 Institutional Agreement with Region of Sardinia: Survey on teaching and learning Sardinian language in Sardinian schools

2016 and 2017 Agreements with the Region of Sardinia. Object: Secondary school teachers' professional training.

2010. Agreement with the Province of Cagliari to develop a project on gender bias in school choice and orientation.

 

Education and degrees

2014, National Scientific Habilitation for the Position of Full Professor in Sociology of Cultural Processes.

2001, Qualification at the selection for the “Maître de conferences” position in Sociology. National Qualification List (France).

1999, Sociology PhD, Summa cum Laude. École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Parigi. Title of Thesis: « The Copernican Revolution of University. A sociological study on university life, organisation and work in Italy. Thesis director: Prof. Jean-Claude Combessie. Jury: Prof. Christian Baudelot, Prof. Jean-Louis Derouet, Prof. Roberto Moscati, Prof. Monique de Saint-Martin. Theses candidate au “Prix Le Monde de la recherche universitaire”.

1994, Master (DEA), EHESS – École Normale Supérieure - University Paris VIII: Institutions, work and education in contemporary societies.

1993, Qualification at the concourse for the doctorate in Experimental Pedagogy. University of Rome «La Sapienza». Director: prof. Aldo Visalberghi.

1991, Degree in Philosophy, Summa cum Laude. University of Cagliari. Title of dissertation “The Modern University: between research, project, autonomy and power”

 

 Other professional positions

From 2003 up to now, I have been a member of the AIS (Italian Association of Sociology). 

2018 up to now, Member of SSISC (Italian Society of Sociology of Communication and Culture)

 

Research interests:

Sociology of education 

Politics and policies of education

Cultural study of social movements

Cultural sociology 

 

Main Research activities and projects

Since August 2023, he has been a member of the national research project PRIN PNRR "INSULANDER" (INvestigating the Strategic role of commUnication for resiLient islAnds copiNg DisastErs Risk management), project code P022A4Y4L, PI A. Lovari, with funding of €263,999.

August 2022-December 2024, I have been the Principal Investigator of the "Sociolinguistic Research of Sardinia" research project funded by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia with €100,000.

2021-2022, Research project "CONCRETE" (Communication for Sustainable and Inclusive Responses in Emergency Situations in Higher Education Institutions), funded competitively under the MUR FISR 2020 Covid-19 call notice 562 of May 5, 2020, project number: Project FISR2020IP_03063 "CONCRETE". Members: Porcu Mariano and Pitzalis Marco (University of Cagliari) - P.I Alessandro Lovari. Fellows: Cangiano Ciro, Brandner Lou. External partners: CORIS Sapienza University of Rome, ISTAT, AICUN, Piepoli Institute. Duration: 6 months from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Funding: 53,776.23 euros.

2021-2022 “The Outsider’s destiny. A research on Vocational Student mobility, training and labour in marginal areas”. Principal Investigator. Grant of the Foundation of Sardinia (Banco di Sardegna) 38000 euros.

2018-2020 “The experience of School-work Alternance in Sardinia: institutions, local contexts and social actors. Principal Investigator”. Competitive Grant of the Fondo di Sviluppo e Coesione 2014 – 2020 - R.A.S. 

2017-2018: Minorities languages at schools. The case of the Sardinian language. Principal investigator. Project financed by the Region of Sardinia.

2012-2014: “The digital revolution in the Sardinian school. Structural characteristics of the system, professional, organisational and educational cultures in the face of the challenge of innovation ". Principal Investigator.  Competitive project. Grant 2011 of RAS, Cohesion Funds EU.

2010-2013: Shepherds in movement. Ethnography of the movement of Sardinian shepherds, with Filippo Zerilli.

2005-2020: The Sociology of Pierre Bourdieu.

2007-2009: School selection and university choice. Marco Pitzalis and Mariano Porcu (Scientific directors of the project). This research deals with the transition from secondary school to university. A CATI survey was conducted on a sample of students enrolled at the University of Cagliari in the 2005-2006 academic year.

From January 2007 to February 2009: “The reorganisation of university and higher education systems within European “knowledge economies”.

2011-2013 – “School transition, orientation and school and professional choices” Member of the research group. RAS financed the project – PI Paolo Calidoni (University of Sassari).

2009-2010- Comparative research on European education systems.  Dir.: G. Capano and M. Regini, Financed by Fondazione CRUI.

(PRIN 2006) Scientific supervisor: Marino Regini. As a member of Pavia’s research unit, I carried out a case study in the excellence sector of the French higher education system.

2005-2006: Food and identity. (Prin 2004) Scientific supervisor: Vincenzo PACE. Title of the project: Food, Culture and Identity. As a Cagliari’s research unit member, I surveyed the relationship between local food and identity.

2001-2009: School and its actors: This research focuses on secondary teachers’ representations and practical experiences in the context of actual change and reform (Autonomy, teachers training and organisational reforms) and on the problem of students’ selection at school.

1995-2001: Comparative research in Higher education systems. Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Jean-Claude Combessie (Director of the Institut IRESCO – Paris).

1999-2001: The effect of introduction of ITC on work and profession. Scientific supervisor: Michel Gollac.

 

Collaborations as referee 

AIS Journal of Sociology

British Journal of Educational Research 

Computer & Education

Etnografia e Ricerca Qualitativa

Fuori Luogo.

International Review of Administrative Sciences

Italian Journal of Sociology of Education

Polis

Rassegna Italiana di Sociologia 

RicercAzione

Scuola Democratica

Sociologia della Comunicazione 

Sociologia Italiana

Sociologica

Sociology of Education (USA)

Studi culturali

 

Direction of Scientific Journals’ Special Issues

Scuola Democratica  – Learning for democracy.  Special Issue: Education as commons.  Guest editor with Gianna Cappello,  N.3/2024.

Meridiana - Rivista di Storia e Scienze Sociali.  Guest editor with Emanuela Spanò e Marco Romito. N.107/2023  

Rassegna Italiana di Sociologia -  Rupture and crisis. Reading Bourdieu through crisis, reading crisis through Bourdieu, N. 2/2022, Editor with Elliot Weininger. 

Scuola Democratica  – Learning for democracy.  Get to work. Il rapporto tra lavoro ed educazione nella società contemporanea, Guest editor with Gabriele Pinna. N.2/2021 

Rassegna Italiana di Sociologia - Inequalities of access to higher education: the role of policies, institutions and markets, Guest editor with Agnès Van Zanten. N.2/2017 

Italian Journal of Sociology of Education -  ICT and schooling.: Sociological Issues from Education 2.0.   Guest editor with Maddalena Colombo. N. 2/2016.