Gender Communication: From Theory to Practice

The course is designed to:

• Train qualified professionals to work in contexts where gender differences — and related issues such as discrimination and gender-based violence — are present. It provides interpretative tools to understand the origins, structures, and dynamics of gender-related communication, to improve these dynamics, and to actively promote gender equality.
• Provide knowledge and practical tools for assessment and intervention aimed at enhancing the linguistic, cognitive, metacognitive, and emotional–motivational aspects of gender communication. Participants will acquire the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to manage gender communication effectively and to tackle the challenges posed by today’s efforts to reduce the gender gap in all its forms.
• Offer opportunities for upskilling and professional growth to recent graduates seeking employment, educators, and professionals involved in gender-related issues.

The program enables participants to build or update their expertise, engage with the latest theoretical frameworks in the field, and apply evidence-based strategies for intervention.

The program is designed for graduates and professionals who work in, or wish to specialize in, gender-related fields. It is particularly suited for Educators and Trainers; Psychologists and Pedagogists; Teachers; Journalists and Media Professionals; Public- and Private-sector Staff at all organizational levels; Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Managers in corporate HR departments; Social Workers; Members of NGOs and Non-profit Organizations.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be equipped for roles such as:

• Tutors in public and private schools running structured educational projects
• Tutors in specialized after-school programs
• Educators in formal and non-formal educational settings
• Learning and developmental support tutors
• School tutors and personal learning assistants
• Corporate trainers in the area of diversity and inclusion
• HR managers or executives specializing in DIB (Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging) initiatives

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a university degree (any discipline) in accordance with Italian Ministerial Decrees D.M. 509/99, D.M. 270/04, or earlier regulations. A maximum of 30 participants will be admitted. The Faculty Board may evaluate the possibility of expanding the cohort if conditions allow.

If the number of applicants exceeds the available places, selection will be based on a merit ranking determined by:

1. Curriculum Vitae – up to 12 points

• Up to 3 points: specialist/master’s degree
• Up to 3 points: relevant professional experience in gender-related fields
• Up to 2 points: other professional experiences
• Up to 2 points: culturally significant experiences
• Up to 2 points: publications related to gender studies

2. Oral Interview – up to 18 points

• The interview will assess the candidate’s motivation and maturity.
• A minimum score of 9/18 is required to pass.

In the case of a tie, preference will be given to the younger candidate. Should selected candidates decline their place, available spots will be offered to the next candidates on the merit list until all seats are filled.

The program, delivered entirely in Italian, is structured into three modules. The first two modules provide a strong theoretical foundation, while the third focuses on applied and practical learning through seminars.

1. Laying the Foundations: Feminisms, Gender, and Differences

• Philosophy of Feminisms and Other Gender Movements (20 hours, 5 ECTS)
• Women and Work: Breaking Barriers and Fostering Inclusive Leadership (20 hours, 5 ECTS)
• Gender and Other Dimensions of Inequality (12 hours, 3 ECTS)

2. Language, Discourse, and Communication: Theory

• Pragmatics, Philosophy of Language, and Unequal Communication (12 hours, 3 ECTS)
• Language and Gender (8 hours, 2 ECTS)
• Gender Representations in Public and Media Discourse (16 hours, 4 ECTS)

3. Gender Communication in Practice: Seminars

• Gender-Fair Journalism (4 hours, 2 ECTS)
• Law, Gender Issues, and Language (4 hours, 2 ECTS)
• Rewriting the Story: Recognizing and Overcoming Gender Stereotypes in Political Communication (4 hours, 2 ECTS)
• Language Technologies and Combating Gender-Based Hate Speech (2 hours, 1 ECTS)
• Gender Perspectives in Science Communication (2 hours, 1 ECTS)
• Gender Representations in Literature (2 hours, 1 ECTS)
• Thought, Emotions, and Communication: Cognitive Mechanisms and Emotional Regulation in Social Interactions (2 hours, 1 ECTS)

Program Structure

• Duration: Typically one academic year
• Total Workload: 800 hours (including lectures, independent study, and practical activities)
• Credits: 32 ECTS

Upon completion of all activities and fulfillment of course requirements, participants will receive an official Certificate of Attendance issued by the Program Director.

University of Pavia Faculty

• Enrica Chiappero, Department of Political and Social Sciences
• Ilaria De Cesare, Department of Political and Social Sciences
• Ilaria Fiorentini, Department of Humanities
• Sara Gemelli, Department of Humanities (University of Pavia / University of Bergamo)
• Sara Martelli, Department of Law
• Luca Vanzago, Department of Humanities
• Chiara Zanchi, Department of Humanities

External Faculty and Experts

• Monia Azzalini, CARES_Osservatorio di Pavia
• Agnese Baini, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste
• Monica Bozzano, University of Milan “La Statale”
• Silvia Grasso, Writer, Pavia
• Giusi Marchetta, Writer and Educator, Torino
• Claudia Padovani, University of Padua, Department of Political and Social Sciences
• Laura Rossi, Consultant and PCC Professional, ICF-Certified Coach
• Eleonora Volta, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan
• Antonio Schiano, NTT Data Italia, Senior Director

Two full scholarships of €1,400 each are funded by the Municipality of Pavia.

The City Council of Pavia has allocated financial support to the Department of Humanities to fully cover the tuition fees for two participants:

• One scholarship will be awarded to the top-ranked candidate in the merit list.
• One scholarship will be reserved, on a priority basis, for the highest-ranked employee of the Municipality of Pavia appearing in the merit list.