Dr. Teresa M. Cappiali

How TEP was born

Dr. Teresa M. Cappiali’s journey across five continents — from classrooms to NGOs and universities to local communities — revealed a recurring challenge: education too often forces trade-offs and remains disconnected from learners’ realities.

While teaching sensitive social science topics to learners from around the world, she created Transformative-Emancipatory Pedagogy(TEP). Born from the insight that diversity and controversy can be critical resources rather than obstacles, TEP unites knowledge, empathy, and critical thinking to transform classrooms into spaces of dialogue, reflection, and collective change.

Research, practice, and methodology

Her work combines theoretical development, applied pedagogy, and mixed-method research. She designs and facilitates learning environments that include dialogue-based learning circles, experiential workshops, reflective tools, and structured learning journeys. These practices are continuously evaluated and refined through participant feedback, observation, and long-term engagement.

A central dimension of her approach is ethical sensitivity when teaching and learning about socially and politically charged topics. Rather than seeking consensus or comfort, her pedagogical work supports learners and educators in staying with complexity, uncertainty, and relational tension as productive dimensions of learning.

Recognition & experience

Dr. Cappiali holds a PhD in Political Science from the Université de Montréal (2016) and has held research and teaching positions at leading institutions including Cornell University, McGill University, the University of Toronto, Université de Montréal, Collegio Carlo Alberto, the European University Institute, Lund University, Université Internationale de Rabat, and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.

Her fieldwork and collaborations span Europe, North Africa, North America, Asia, and Latin America, where she has trained students, educators, and community leaders. She is the author of numerous international publications, and her work has been recognized with the European Commission’s Seal of Excellence 2020) and the Vinnova MSCA-Seal of Excellence Fellowship 2021-2023) for a project on discrimination and the exclusion of vulnerable migrant women and minors in Morocco.