Intersectionality in educational research in Italy

A systematic literature review

Authors

  • Barbara Gross Free University of Bozen-Bolzano https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3072-8081
  • Giulia Filippi Free University of Bozen-Bolzano https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4453-7384

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.1825-8670/24508

Keywords:

Intersectionality, Diversity, Educational research, Italy, Systematic literature review

Abstract

Intersectionality, conceived as a critical theoretical paradigm and a methodological approach to reveal systemic inequality and inequity, enables the analysis of interdependences and power dynamics of relationships and processes in educational contexts. It opens a transformative perspective that indicates differences and forms of belonging within educational settings. International scholarship increasingly calls for intersectional approaches to inform both educational research and policy, while simultaneously noting a marked scarcity of empirical studies within pedagogical settings. Against this backdrop, this study explores how intersectionality has been received within the Italian educational debate. A systematic search was conducted across 36 Class A educational journals (ANVUR, 11/D1), identifying six pertinent contributions published between 2020 and 2025. Results show that intersectionality is mainly mobilised as a theoretical lens for reading differences and educational processes. The study sheds light on the current state of the art of intersectionality in education in the national context and discusses its implications for educational research and practice.

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Published

2026-09-15

How to Cite

Gross, B., & Filippi, G. (2026). Intersectionality in educational research in Italy: A systematic literature review. Encyclopaideia, 30(75), 43–59. https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.1825-8670/24508

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