Carmel Cefai
Maltese
Affiliation
University of Malta
Levels of education
- ECEC
- School education
- VET
- Higher Education
Geographical scope of expertise
Policy themes
- Access to high quality education for all
- Content of education and training curricula, development of key competences
- Vulnerable groups in education and training, ensuring inclusion and non-discrimination
- Disability/special needs, inclusive education
- Early school leaving, participation in education and training
- Parental and stakeholders’ engagement, whole-school approach
- Education and migration
- Monitoring for equity and quality in education and training
- Education and training of professional workforce
- Cross-sectorial working
- Active citizenship and identity in education
- Transitions, mobility and cross-border cooperation
- Innovation and equity in education
Selected publications
- UNESCO (2023) Safe to Learn: what do teachers think and do about violence in schools? (lead author) https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384319
- UNESCO (2023) Addressing Hate Speech in and through Education: Policy Guide (co-author) https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384872
- Cefai, C. (in press) Social and emotional learning the world stage. In J. Durlak, C. Domitrovich and J. Mahoney (editors) Handbook of Social and Emotional Learning. Advancing Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Second Edition. Guilford Press, New York
- Cahill, H. and Cefai, C (2023) Policies, Strategies and Advocacy. In Mainstream Social and Emotional Learning in Education Systems.UNESCO
- Cefai, C., Spiteri, R., & Galea, N. (2022). Healthy spaces: co-creating child-friendly towns and villages. Malta: Office of the Commissioner for Children
- Cefai, C., et al (2022). Promoting mental health at school evaluating the effectiveness of the PROMEHS programme in improving students’ and teachers’ social and emotional competence, resilience and mental health. Monograph, Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health. 9789918951055
- Cefai, C. et al (2022) Rescur Surfing the Waves, Teachers’ Guide. Revised Edition. Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health, University of Malta
- Cefai, C. et al (2022) The effectiveness of a school-based, universal mental health programme in six European countries. Frontiers in Psychology https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.92561
- Cefai, C., Keresztes, N., Galea, N., Spiteri, R. (2022) The wellbeing and inclusion of children from Africa and the Middle East living in Malta. In H. Tiliouine et al (editors) Handbook of Children’s Risk, Vulnerability and Quality of Life: Global Perspectives. USA: Springer Publications
- Cefai, C., Simões, C. and Caravita, S. (2021) A systemic, whole-school approach to mental health and well-being in schools in the EU. NESET report, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
- Cefai, C, Downes, P. & Cavioni, V (2021) A formative, inclusive, whole school approach to the assessment of Social and Emotional Education in the EU. NESET report, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
- Cefai, C. (2021) A Transactional, Whole School Approach to Resilience. In Ungar, M. (editor) Multisystemic Resilience: Adaptation and Transformation in Contexts of Change. UK Oxford University Press
- Cefai, C. & Galea, N. (2020) International Survey of Children’s Subjective Wellbeing. Malta Report 2020. Malta: Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health, University of Malta
- Cefai, C., Regester, D. & Akoury Dirani, L. (2020) (editors) Social and emotional learning in the Mediterranean: Cross cultural perspectives and approaches.Netherlands: Brill/Sense Publishing
- Cefai, C., Keresztes, N., Galea, N. and Spiteri, R. (2019). ‘A Passage to Malta. The Health and Wellbeing of Foreign Children in Malta’, Malta: Commissioner for Children.
- Cefai, C. Bartolo, P., Cavioni, V. and Downes, P. (2018). ‘Strengthening Social and Emotional Education as a key curricular area across the EU. A review of the international evidence’, NESET II report, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union
- Cefai, C. and Cooper, P. (Eds.) (2017). Mental health promotion in schools: Cross cultural narratives and perspectives, Netherlands: Sense Publications
- Slee, P, Skrzypiec, G. and Cefai, C. (Eds.) (2017). Child and Adolescent Well-being and Violence Prevention in Schools, Oxon, UK: Routledge.
- Cefai, C., Arlove, A., Duca, M., Galea, N., Muscat, M. and Cavioni, V. (2018). ‘RESCUR Surfing the Waves: An evaluation of a resilience programme in the early years’, Journal of Pastoral Care in Education. DOI: 10.1080/02643944.2018.1479224.
- Cefai, C and Spiteri Pizzuto, S. (2017). ‘Listening to the voices of young children in a Nurture Class’, Emotional and Behaviour Difficulties, 22:3, 248-260,
- Downes, P. and Cefai, C. (2016). ‘How to Tackle Bullying and Prevent School Violence in Europe: Strategies for Inclusive and Safe Schools’, NESET II report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.
- Cefai, C., Downes, P. and Cavioni, V. (2016). ‘Breaking the Cycle: A phenomenological approach to broadening access to post-secondary and tertiary education’, European Journal of Psychology of Education, 31:255-274.
- Cefai, C., et al. (2015). ‘Social inclusion and social justice: a resilience curriculum for early years and elementary schools in Europe’, Journal for Multicultural Education, 9:3, 122-139.
- Cefai, C. and Camilleri, L. (2015). ‘A Healthy Start: Promoting mental health and wellbeing in the early primary school years’, Emotional and Behaviour Difficulties, 20 (2),133-152. DOI: 10.1080/13632752.2014.915493