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Godfrey Baldacchino (born 1960) is a Maltese and Canadian social scientist. He was Pro Rector (International Development & Quality Assurance) (2016-2021) and Professor of Sociology at the University of Malta. [1] Between 2016 and 2020, he was with Jim Randall, [2] the UNESCO Co-Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada (a title held in partnership with the University of Malta).
Baldacchino is former Director of the Centre for Labour Studies at the University of Malta and is chairman of its board. [3] With Alexander Gatt, Baldacchino founded the Students Astronomical Circle (SAC) in 1978. In 1984, he was elected as the first President of The Malta Astronomical Society which resulted from the merger of the SAC and the Astronomical Association of Malta. He was inscribed as Honorary Life Member of the Malta Astronomical Society in 2015.
Baldacchino is founding Vice-President of the University of Malta Academic Staff Association (UMASA) and was elected as member of the Council of the University of Malta for the period 2001–2003. As Chair of the Malta Board of Cooperatives (1998–2003), [4] Baldacchino presided over a doubling of registered cooperative societies.
Baldacchino served as Canada Research Chair (Island Studies) at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, from 2003 to 2013. [1]
Baldacchino has provided consultancy to the Malta Prime Minister and various other Ministers on several topics: the self-management system at Malta Drydocks, [5] the Student Stipend Scheme, [6] the workings of the Malta Employment and Training Corporation, a code of practice for worker-directors, and the Planning Council's plans for the South of Malta.
Baldacchino was elected President of the International Small Islands Studies Association in 2014 and Chair of the Scientific Board of RETI, the Network of Island Universities, in 2015. He created the Island Studies Journal, which he edited from 2006 to 2017, and Small States & Territories, an online open access journal, in 2018.[ citation needed ]
From 2020 to 2024, Baldacchino served as Malta's first (thematic) ambassador for islands and small states. [7]