Maria Pallotta Chiarolli image

Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli

Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli has gained national and international recognition as a writer, researcher, lecturer and consultant in the issues of cultural diversity, gender diversity, sexual diversity, family diversity, HIV/AIDS, and social diversity in health and education, with a specific focus on adolescence and young people.


In 1999, Maria was honoured with the title of Lifelong Honorary Patron of PFLAG Victoria.


Maria is also an External Faculty Member of Saybrook University, San Francisco (upon invitation in 2002), teaching and supervising in its postgraduate programs on sexual and gender diversity in health and education.


In 2003, Maria was invited to become a Founding Member of AGMC (Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council), an umbrella organisation supporting culturally and religiously diverse GLBTIQ communities, services and organisations in Australia, and which has been recognised as a member of FECCA (Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia).

 

Maria is a Board member of the National LGBTI Health Alliance, Research and Ethics Standards group(2014).

 

She is also a member of the Victoria Police LGBTI Reference Group and Victoria Police Multicultural Portfolio Reference Group. (2014).


Apart from her teaching and supervision (at both undergraduate and postgraduate level), research and writing, Maria is regularly called upon to act as a consultant in educational, workplace, youth services, health services and community service settings. Maria is also regularly invited to speak at diverse community, educational, organizational and other functions and conferences, and in various media such as television, radio and newspaper.

View my recent presentation at SIPSIS 2015: Multiplicities and Intersectionalities: Promoting Multicultural Multifaith Multisexual Rights

In 2016, undertook research project involving case study analysis of the needs of SSAGD (same-sex attracted and gender diverse) young people of multicultural and multifaith (MCMF) backgrounds, and how these needs can be addressed by government, and by their cultural and religious communities: "Supporting Same-Sex Attracted and Gender Diverse Young People of Multicultural and Multifaith Backgrounds".

In 2018, Maria's work as an advocate and researcher for LGBTIQ+ over the past 30 years was recognised through receiving the Straight Ally of the Year by GLOBE Community Awards.

Recent Academic Positions
(see CV for full listing)

  • Present 2020

    Honorary Fellow

    Deakin University- Burwood Campus, School of Communication and Creative Arts

  • 2020 1998

    Senior Lecturer in Social Diversity in Health and Education

    Deakin University- Burwood Campus, School of Health and Social Development

  • 1998 1997

    Research Officer

    Macquarie University, NSW, National Centre in HIV Social Research

  • 1997 1997

    Lecturer in Sociology

    Macquarie University, NSW.

  • 1996 1996

    Lecturer in Social Sciences

    University of Technology, Sydney, NSW.

Education & Training

  • Ph.D. 2001

    Doctor of Philosophy (Social Sciences)

    University of Technology, Sydney

  • M.A.1992
    Master Of Arts (Gender Studies)

    University of Adelaide, South Australia

  • Grad.Dip.1990
    Graduate Diploma Of Arts (Gender Studies)

    University of South Australia

  • Dip.Ed.1980
    In English and Humanities

    University of Adelaide, South Australia

  • B.A.1980

    Bachelor of Arts

    University of Adelaide, South Australia

Recent Awards and Distinctions
(see CV for full listing)

  • 2018
    Winner: GLOBE Community Awards - Straight Ally of the Year
  • 2016
    Women with Bi Partners shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award
  • 2015
    Winner: 4th Annual Bisexual Book Award - Bisexual Non Fiction
  • 2012
    Deakin University Postgraduate Supervision Excellence Award
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  • 2011
    Lambda Literary Award
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    In 2010, Maria published Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools which was Australia’s first academic book on bisexual students and polyamorous families in their negotiations with educational systems. In 2011, the book won the Bisexual Non-fiction Category of the Lambda Literary Awards.
  • 2010
    Lambda Literary Award
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    In 2008, Maria published her first novel, Love You Two, which was Australia’s, and internationally, first young adult novel to explore bisexuality and polyamory within a multicultural setting. In 2010, the book won the Bisexual Category of the Lambda Literary Awards.
  • 2006
    Publication in Spanish by Equipo Difusor Del Libro, Spain
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    In 2006, Maria’s book When Our Children Come Out, was accepted for translation and publication in Spanish by Equipo Difusor Del Libro, Spain.
  • 2001
    Australian Book Design Award in the Educational Texts for Young People Category
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    In 2001, Maria’s book Boys’ Stuff: Boys Talking About What Matters (Allen & Unwin), co-researched and co-edited with Dr Wayne Martino from Murdoch University, Perth, was the first Australian book by and for boys and young men that is culturally and sexually inclusive. The book was shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier’s Award; won the Australian Book Design Award in the Educational Texts for Young People Category ; and achieved a Highly Commended in the Australian Award for Excellence in Educational Publishing. It was also nominated for a Human Rights Award. The book has also been listed in the Australian Centre for Youth Literature’s “150 Years,150 Books: Victoria’s Most Treasured Books” list.