In February 2023 the Deakin node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child welcomed Dr Ines Vitorino Sampaio, a visiting scholar from Federal University of Ceará, Brazil.
During her visit, Dr Vitorino Sampaio was part of the Connected Child research program, which investigates important issues associated with children’s use of the Internet and mobile technologies related to data analytics, online engagement and commercial influences. Her project, ‘Children and youth as change agents: challenges for building global citizenship’, focussed on children’s participation in social media as influencers, on platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. This work on digital participation resulted in an edited book, two edited special issues, as well as several journal articles and book chapters.
As her time at Deakin draws to a close Dr Vitorino Sampaio reflects on her experience as a visiting scholar at Deakin.
What stands out most vividly about your time at Deakin?
The collaborative and supportive culture at Deakin stands out as one of the most enriching experiences of my international academic career. I found an excellent team that combined strong research expertise with a genuinely supportive and collaborative atmosphere.
How did engaging with researchers from different backgrounds shape your perspective on digital childhoods?
Coming from a country where children’s digital experiences are shaped by a wide range of cultural, social, and economic contexts, I already had an appreciation of the complexity of this topic from a communication perspective. Engaging with researchers from education and health, however, expanded my perspective by showing how this diversity can be explored through different disciplinary frameworks and research approaches.
Did you participate in other research projects or collaborations during your visit?
I am currently involved in a multicountry research project, ‘Digital Funds of Knowledge’, that explores the perspectives of educators and young children across Brazil, Finland, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This collaboration will continue after my return to Brazil. It is just one example of the ongoing partnerships developed during my time at Deakin, with several other projects also in their early stages and expected to continue in the future.
Has your experience as a visiting scholar influenced your research?
Being part of the Deakin Node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child has been an enriching experience. Through my collaboration with Luci Pangrazio and Julian Sefton-Green, I have gained valuable insights into platformisation and datafication in education and everyday family life. I am deeply grateful for these exchanges and to the entire Deakin Node team for their support, generosity, and collegiality, which continue to shape my research in meaningful ways.
What was a highlight of your visit?
The first time I attended the Digital Child Annual Meeting of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, I was inspired to see more than 120 researchers working on childhood and digital culture, each bringing a unique perspective to the field. The breadth of topics and the richness of the discussions highlighted the vibrancy of this research community. It was a truly inspiring experience.
What were some of the biggest challenges you encountered?
My greatest professional challenge was communicating with the same confidence and level of proficiency that I am accustomed to in my native language. On a personal level, being away from family and friends was not always easy, and building new friendships took time and effort.
How would you describe the research culture at Deakin to someone considering a visiting scholarship?
I would say that they will find a rich, diverse, and collaborative environment that encourages intellectual exchange and provides an excellent setting in which to develop and deepen their knowledge.
Beyond the research itself, what aspects of campus life or Melbourne made the experience memorable?
Beyond its renowned coffee culture, the most memorable aspect of Melbourne is the warmth and friendliness of its people. I will always remember it as a city where strangers smile at you in the street.
Project outcomes
Edited book
Sampaio, I. V., & Guedes, B. (Eds.). (2024). Crianças, adolescentes e jovens: Riscos e oportunidades na cultura digital [Children, adolescents, and youth: Risks and opportunities in digital culture] (Vol. 1). Pimenta Cultural.
Special issue
Sampaio, I., Robinson, L., Pangrazio, L., & Moles, K. (Eds.). (2024). Youth, digital media, and civic engagement [Special issue]. First Monday, 29.
Special issue
Sampaio, I. V., Robinson, L., Pereira, G. da C., & Torres, G. (Eds.). (2024). Identidades de crianças e jovens na cultura digital [Identities of children and young people in digital culture] [Special issue]. Passagens: Revista do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação UFC.
Book chapter
Cavalcante, A. P. C., Pereira, G. da C., & Sampaio, I. (2023). Participação das crianças no mundo digital [Children’s participation in the digital world]. In C. Parente, D. Moura, M. Lopes, & R. Varão (Eds.), Educação midiática no combate à desinformação: O papel da arte[Media education in combating disinformation: The role of art] (pp. 100–108). Iandé, Comunicação e Educação.
Book chapter
Vitorino Sampaio, I., Máximo, T., & Paiva, M. S. (2026). Kid Influencers as change agents for social justice in Brazil. In L. R. Brossi, S. Cortesi, & L. A. Hasse (Eds.), Handbook of communication, media, and digital technologies in Iberoamerica. De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111193991-011
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