Elena Piccinelli
Cultural & SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGIST
dIVERSITY TRAINER
Current affiliation
Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon (CIS-Iscte)
About Me
Key Interests: microaggressions, perceived discrimination, (post-)colonialism, migration, psychological acculturation, intersectionality, cultural competence, diversity training.
I am a Ph.D. fellow in Psychology at Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon. In my research, I flexibly adopt qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine the social psychological processes related to perceived discrimination (particularly microaggressions), migrants’ acculturation, and intergroup relations.
I hold a MA in Psychology of Intercultural Relations, and my academic journey is complemented by several years of experience as a diversity and intercultural trainer with healthcare providers, cultural mediators, exchange and university students.
I possess a strong international background and am used to living and working in culturally diverse environments. I have lived in different countries, including Italy, Brazil, Portugal, and Belgium.
I speak English, Italian, and Portuguese fluently.
Research Projects
Subtle, but not innocuous. Examining how discrimination experiences affect immigrant women by using an acculturation framework.
Funding: Merit-based Scholarship for 3rd Cycle Students funded by the School of Social and Human Sciences (ESCH) of Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa
This project seeks to examine the role of subtle vs. blatant discrimination within the psychological acculturation process of foreign-born immigrants - and particularly immigrant women - in Portugal, by adopting diverse research methods including a) a scoping review of the literature, b) a qualitative study, and c) a quantitative longitudinal study.
2020 - Ongoing
Simulating acculturation: A mixed-method assessment of a role play-based intervention to decrease prejudice and increase empathy towards refugees
Funding: Kwok Leung Memorial Research Award funded by the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP).
This project aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a role play-based intervention to enhance receiving society members' understanding of migrants' and refugees' acculturation processes, increase their empathy and perspective-taking, and reduce prejudice towards these groups. The intervention was conducted in both academic (classroom) and community settings, with outcomes assessed using a mixed-methods research design.
2022 - 2023
Diversity Training
I am a certified trainer working with intercultural competence, global education, diversity and inclusion since 2014. My expertise encompasses the design, implementation, and assessment of formal and non-formal education programs targeting diverse populations.
Certification: Certificate of Pedagogical Competence (CCP) issued by the Portuguese Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
INTERCULTURAL TRAINING
Cultural diversity is an inexhaustible source of richness. However, if not approached correctly, it can also lead to conflicts and misunderstandings. Diversity training aims to provide the fundamental tools to maximize the benefits of encounters between different cultures.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Research shows that an inclusive environment that values differences and adopts measures to prevent prejudice and discrimination is beneficial on both individual and collective levels. These training activities are designed to raise awareness and encourage active reflection to create an inclusive environment for everyone.
Some of my previous experiences include:
Faculty of Medicine - ULisboa
Lectures and training on culturally competent healthcare approaches for medical students at the University of Lisbon, Portugal.
2021 | 2023
Renovar a Mouraria
Intercultural competence training for cultural mediators working with migrants in a community-based project in Lisbon, Portugal.
2021
International Organization for Migration - United Nations (IOM-UN)
Needs assessment, design and implementation of a training programme for healthcare providers working with migrant and refugees.
2018 | 2020
AFS Intercultural Programs
Intercultural training of international exchange students to and from Italy,
2014 - 2017
Other Activities
IACCP E.D.U.C.A.T.E. Committee
Role: Committee Administrator
Term: 2023 - 2027
As the educational wing of the International Association for Cross-Culturai Psychology, the E.D.U.C.A.T.E. Initiative exists to support the development of educational opportunities and resources for IACCP members at all career stages.
LaEUMiDI
Role(s): Steering Committee Member, Coordinator of the Organizing Committee for the International Forum 2024, Coordinator of the “Help-the-Researchers” working group
Term: 2023 - Indefinite
The Latino-European Social Psychological Network focused on Migration, Displacement and Inclusion was set up as an inter-sectoral and inter-continental network establishing a platform to promote research-informed practice and practice-informed research, with a regional focus on Latin America and Europe. We aim at promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences, overcoming language barriers, and fostering transcontinental collaboration.
Publications
HIGHLIGHTS
Piccinelli et al., (2024)
A systematic review on on the role of perceived discrimination within the psychological acculturation process of first-generation immigrants.
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
Vauclair & Piccinelli (2022)
Covid-19 vaccines acceptance in Portugal: The critical role of conspiracy theories, perceived quality of government communication, and national stereotypes.
International Journal of Communication
Piccinelli et al., (2020)
Examining microaggressions towards women
in the healthcare context using a critical
incident approach.
Psique
Piccinelli et al., (2020)
Microaggressions towards women in healthcare: typologies, contexts, and intersectionality.
La Camera Blu
Contact
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