Dr Philippa (Pippa) Soccio

Biography

Dr Pippa Soccio is a Lecturer in Teaching and Learning with the Built Environment Learning and Teaching (BEL+T) group in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning (ABP). She is an ABP Alumna, having completed two undergraduate degrees and a PhD in architecture. Prior to commencing her PhD in 2010, she worked in architectural practice for HASSEL and GHDWoodhead in the education, aged-care and defence portfolios. In 2016 Pippa managed a complete rebuild of her 1950s weatherboard home, with the finished product being recognised by Moreland City Council as an exemplary design that addresses sustainability, multi-generational housing and opportunities to age in place.

Pippa is passionate about effective teaching and learning. From 2015-2019 she worked as a Research Fellow with the Learning Environments applied Research Network (LEaRN)  and managed the Towards Effective Learning Environments in Catholic Schools: An Evidence based Approach (TELE) project. The project involved fieldwork in 43 primary and secondary schools and is one of the largest known studies (nationally and international) to have evaluated the relationships between the built environment and the practices, activities and behaviours of school students and teachers.

Through the TELE Project, Pippa has transitioned from being interested in how learning environments are designed, to specifically how they are used. Wanting to learn more about pedagogy, Pippa commenced a Graduate Certificate in University Teaching. Her research interest is understanding what 21st century pedagogy looks like in tertiary institutions. How prepared are sessional academic staff to teach the next generation of Built Environment students, many of whom were born in the 2000s and taught in schools where teachers and curriculum leaders complete weekly professional development on ‘21st century pedagogy’?

Featured projects

• Built Environments Learning + Teaching
• Learning Environments Applied Research Network