JOIN OUR TEAM TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET
Mochi4ThePlanet started in 2021 at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada as a youth-centered participatory research project spearheaded by Dr. Stefania Maggi. Since the genesis of the project, countless individuals continue making significant contributions to its expansion. Our diverse group includes scholars and students at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as emerging professionals. The team’s sensitivity to cultural variances, recognition of the significance of geo-political context, and understanding of the socio-emotional dimensions inherent in climate change narratives, further strengthen the team’s capacity to evolve and contribute to the project’s expansion.
We attribute to the intergenerational, international, and cross-disciplinary nature of the team our capacity for imagining nuanced and diverse approaches to addressing climate change narratives, which is then embodied in the project’s research output, social engagement, and digital creations.
Meet Our Executives
Dr. Stefania Maggi
Dr. Maggi is a researcher, educator, and a children’s and youth’s rights advocate. She is cross appointed between the Childhood and Youth Studies program and the Department of Psychology at Carleton University where she teaches courses on the psychology of climate change, children’s rights, nature connection, human development, and research methods. Her research, teaching, and advocacy focus on the psychological dimensions of climate change; impacts of climate change on children, youth, and families; career development and green guidance; climate change education in the early years; climate change education for professionals; and video games and XR technologies as tools to support meaningful engagement with climate action. Dr. Maggi is the founder of Mochi4theplanet, a youth-centered initiative promoting mental health and children’s rights in the context of the climate crisis. She is an executive member of the Landon Pearson Centre for the Studies of Childhood and Children’s Rights; a member of the Child Rights Academic Network, the Pickering Centre for Human Development, the Climate Psychology Alliance North America, and Teachers for Future International. She is also a certified Motivational Interviewer and a All We Can Save Project Certified Climate Wayfinding Facilitator.
McKenna Corvello
McKenna Corvello is an MA student studying psychology at Carleton University. Growing up in a small, remote town in northwestern Ontario, she developed a deep connection to nature and a strong commitment to environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Since 2021, McKenna has been actively involved with Mochi4theplanet, where she conducts research, presents at conferences, coordinates social media, and develops resources for youth, parents, and educators. Her research focuses on nature connectedness in young people, exploring the ways it can promote climate action and help youth find meaning and purpose in the face of climate distress. Using immersive technology, McKenna also aims to provide interactive learning opportunities that engage youth, parents, and professionals in climate action while supporting mental health and building emotional resilience to the climate crisis.
Akash Roy
Akash Roy is a passionate game developer with a focus on computer graphics and game engines. His portfolio includes diverse projects like a major military venture for the USA and an MMORPG game. Akash is a distinguished member of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and leads the Unreal Engine Indore chapter in India. He also mentors and offers guidance to aspiring game developers, sharing his expertise and fostering growth in the industry. Akash’s journey with Mochi4ThePlanet began in 2022 when he started leading the development of Kibou | The Guiding Light video game. Since then, Akash has added to the growth of the team by collaborating with talented young game developers, animators, and digital artists who also work within the India game development ecosystem. Akash is an active contributor to the project’s community engagement initiatives, to which he participates by presenting Kibou at various Indian national conferences, such as the India Game Developer Conference (IDGC 2022) and the India Science Festival (ISF 2024).
Sebastiano Pocchi
Sebastiano Pocchi is a video game neuroscientist, psychologist and science communicator. He has a B.Sc. in Cognitive Neuroscience and a B.A. in Psychological and Methodological Sciences.
Sebastiano has been with Mochi4ThePlanet since 2021 where he is contributing to Kibou | The Guiding Light video game’s narrative development, design and implementation of ethical reward and engagement systems. Sebastiano is also a key collaborator on Mochi4ThePlanet’s community engagement and knowledge mobilization initiatives in Italy, which he facilitated through his connections with the Italian ecosystem of video game science communication as the founder of and content creator for Neuropsicogaming.
