Tommaso Maggio

Tommaso Maggio is an artist, designer and PhD researcher on experimental arts/design education methods. Twenty years of professional experience managing, coordinating and implementing multicultural practice-based-research projects, including intervention focusing on early childhood and lifelong education. He has trained staff and partners in adopting an art/design mindset. Visual Communication Lecturer at Birmingham Institute of Fashion & Creative Art (BIFCA), Faculty of Arts, Design and Media Wuhan Textile University & Birmingham City University, PhDc University of Plymouth, UK. Resident Artist Thai – Italian Chamber of Commerce.

As a PhD student (thesis to be submitted within three months) and as a practitioner, I’ve triangulated practices amongst academics, professionals, industries, and non-profit organisations and focused on cultural identity, arts, and design education through face-to-face and online synchronous and asynchronous.

My extensive experience in the education and research sector has given me a deep understanding of the impact that Digital Learning activities, including in Early Childhood Education, have on promoting children and their families’ social, developmental, and emotional well-being. For example, during the COVID-19 global pandemic, I developed a series of instructional art and design videos for children between 3 and 6. This enabled me to learn how to best apply this form of teaching to relieve psychosocial distress and stimulate creativity. As a childhood arts education associate for an international school during the COVID-19 lockdown, I integrated digital learning in the course structure and researched data and information on how best to integrate educational resources to promote positive parenting practices amongst the most vulnerable communities. This effort also included developing learning materials that facilitate access to remote learning for children with disabilities. During my time at the Assumption University in Thailand, I’ve also co-led a project focused on how to educate low-income families in up-cycling materials to enhance their living standards and well-being. Having collaborated with various industries, diplomatic missions, including the Italian Embassy in Thailand and the Italian Trade Agency.