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:
-2020-2023 A 3-year research Horizon 2020 Research & Innovation Actions research project entitled “Acting on the Margins: Arts as Social Sculpture” with Acronym AMASS as per grant agreement number 870621. Besides co-researching the three socially engaged theatre projects (working with HIV Positive persons, Opening Doors (young persons with mental conditions, and older adults), I have conceived, led a theatre lab with six women who attend the Active Aging Centre (AAC) in Siggiewi. The result was a collectively created theatre performance entitled F’Ħakka T’Għajn which was filmed and is being screened in AACs all over the island and at university followed by a Q&A for students studying Applied theatre.
2020 -2022 A 30-month Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnerships Programme research project entitled “Visual art education in new times: Connecting Art with REal life issues” with Acronym CARE as per grant agreement number 2019-1-CY01-KA203-058258. This entailed delivering online CPD sessions to preservice and Inservice Primary Art teachers in innovative pedagogies in visual art education and sustainable development and researching changes in their classrooms.
- 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 (EU 7th Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) no. 289081 CLS brings together creativity,science and mathematics in ECE providing a picture of existing/possible practices and implications. CLS proposes guidelines, curricula and exemplary materials for teacher training in the various European contexts.
