Speakers

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  Domna Kakana Professor of Educational Sciences at the School of Early Childhood Education at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)
  

  Domna Kakana

  Professor of Educational Sciences at the School of Early Childhood Education at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)

  Domna Kakana is a Professor of Educational Sciences at the School of Early Childhood Education at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece. She previously served as Professor at the Department of Early Childhood Education of the University of Thessaly (1991–2015).
  At AUTH, she has held several academic leadership positions, including Dean of the School of Education (2020–2023), Vice-Chair of the School of Early Childhood Education (2017–2019), and Director of the Master’s Programme “Educational Sciences” (2016–2020). She has also served as Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal Dialogues! Theory and Practice in Education Sciences and Education (2018–2020).
  She currently serves as Coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Learning (KEDIMA) at AUTH and Chair of the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Committee (GEADC) of the university. She has also chaired the Scientific Committee of the AUTH Childcare Center (2019–2025).
  Her teaching and research focus on teacher education and professional development, collaborative and action research, innovative teaching and learning environments, play-based learning, curriculum development, and educational evaluation. She has extensive experience in the design and implementation of educational and research projects at the national and European levels.
  She has published widely in Greek and international journals and edited volumes.and has coordinated or participated in numerous research and educational projects. Her work particularly emphasizes the development of collaborative professional learning environments and innovative pedagogical approaches in education

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  Vassilis Tsafos Professor of Pedagogical Theory and Curriculum Studies in the Early Childhood Education Department, Dean of the School of Educational Studies National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  

  Vassilis Tsafos

  Professor of Pedagogical Theory and Curriculum Studies in the Early Childhood Education Department, Dean of the School of Educational Studies National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

  Vassilis Tsafos, Ph.D., is a Professor of Pedagogical Theory and Curriculum Studies in the Early Childhood Education Department, Dean of the School of Educational Studies National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. He has worked as a teacher in Secondary Schools in Greece (1989-2004), as a Deputy Councillor of the Pedagogical Institute of Greece (2004-2007), as a Temporary Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2000-2004). His research and writing is particularly informed by curriculum studies, qualitative education research (action research, narrative research), teacher development and teacher education. His current areas of research interest include topics about curriculum, methods of teaching, educational research methods, teacher development, as well as pre-service and in-service teacher education. He has written and edited books and articles in Greek and English journals on the curriculum studies, the teachers’ role in the curriculum development and evaluation, Sciences of Education, Practicum in teacher education and action research method.

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  Fenia Botsoglou Head of the Department of Special Education and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), University of Thessaly
  

  Fenia Botsoglou

  Head of the Department of Special Education and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), University of Thessaly

  Professor Fenia Botsoglou is a faculty member at the University of Thessaly, Greece, where she serves as Head of the Department of Special Education and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Her work focuses on university pedagogy, student-centred learning, and the professional development of academic staff in higher education.
  Through her role at the CTL, she leads initiatives that support teaching enhancement, curriculum innovation, and reflective academic practice. Her work contributes to strengthening institutional approaches to teaching and learning and promoting evidence-informed pedagogical practices in higher education.
  Professor Botsoglou has extensive experience in the design and implementation of European and international projects, particularly within the framework of Erasmus+ programmes related to higher education development and innovative pedagogical practices. She has collaborated with universities and educational institutions across Europe and Asia on initiatives aimed at supporting capacity building, academic development, and the establishment of teaching and learning support structures.
  Her research focuses on pedagogy, inclusive education, participatory research with children, and contemporary approaches to teaching and learning in higher education. She has published widely in international peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes.
  Professor Botsoglou also serves as SDG 4 – Quality Education Ambassador at the University of Thessaly, promoting the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in higher education.

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  Anastassios Emvalotis Professor of Methodology in Educational Research Director of the Laboratory of Didactics and School Pedagogy University of Ioannina - Department of Primary Education
  

  Anastassios Emvalotis

  Professor of Methodology in Educational Research Director of the Laboratory of Didactics and School Pedagogy University of Ioannina - Department of Primary Education

  Anastassios Emvalotis is Professor in the cognitive field of “Methodology of Research in Educational Sciences” in the Department of Primary Education of University of Ioannina and Former Board Member of the Institute of Education Policy. His research interests are focused in topics related to: development and application of methods and techniques for educational research, use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in educational research, micro-sociological approaches to everyday school life, relationship between science, technology and society. He participates in international, european and national projects related in their majority to the analysis and management of the educational process. He has published research papers in magazines, books and conference proceedings. He has participated and co-ordinated several research projects.

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  Thanassis Karalis Professor, Coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Patras
  

  Thanassis Karalis

  Professor, Coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Patras

  Thanassis Karalis is Professor of Lifelong Learning and Adult Education at the Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education of the University of Patras. He has collaborated with many educational institutions as trainer, consultant, coordinator and evaluator of adult education programs. He was the coordinator of the National Program for Education of Educators (General Secretariat of Lifelong Learning – 2014), where more than 4.200 adult educators of Greece were trained on a hybrid program. At the University of Patras he is coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Learning, former member of the Board of Directors of the Center of Lifelong Education, coordinator of the Child Rights Center (established by UNICEF Greece Country Office and University of Patras), former member of Quality Assurance Unit, and of COVID-19 CMC (Crisis Management Committee). He is founding member and vice president of the Hellenic Adult Education Association, member of the Commission of Professors of Adult Education / American Association for Adult and Continuing Education. He is founding member of the Hellenic Network for University Pedagogy and member of the steering committee of the Balkan Network of University Pedagogy. Since 1995 has participated in 49 national and European research and development projects, being scientific coordinator in 28 of them. He is author or co-author of more than about 200 works in English, French and Greek, including twelve books. His research interests include adult and higher education, university pedagogy, planning and evaluation of non-formal education programs, learning, participation of adults in educational programs. In 2022, he was awarded the “Evangelos Papanoutsos” Award for Excellence in Teaching by the University of Patras. In 2025, he was honored by UNICEF for his contribution to the promotion of children’s rights in academia.

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  Georgios Kountios Assistant Professor at the Department of Agriculture of the International Hellenic University (IHU)
  

  Georgios Kountios

  Assistant Professor at the Department of Agriculture of the International Hellenic University (IHU)

  Dr. Georgios Kountios is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Agriculture of the International Hellenic University (IHU), specializing in Agricultural Advisory through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Based in Thessaloniki, his work focuses on the digital transformation of the agrifood sector, bridging the gap between scientific innovation and sustainable farming practices.
  Dr. Kountios holds high-level strategic positions within the Greek agricultural ecosystem. He is a Member of the National AKIS Committee, where he contributes to the development of the national Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System. At IHU, he serves as the Coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Learning (KEDIMA), leading initiatives to enhance pedagogical methods and instructional support across the university. His leadership extends to professional bodies as a Board Member of the Hellenic Association of Agricultural Economists (ETAGRO) and the Hellenic Association for ICT in Agriculture (HAICTA).
  He earned his PhD and MSc in Agricultural Economics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). His research portfolio focuses on Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Education, and the adoption of digital tools in farm management.
  His academic career is reinforced by extensive professional experience across both public and private sector positions. He is a certified Agricultural Consultant, dedicated to bridging the gap between scientific research and industry practice to support the agrifood sector. Fluent in English and German, Dr. Kountios is committed to fostering resilient rural economies through digital innovation, lifelong learning, and expert advisory services.

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  Katerina Kedraka Professor of Professional Skills for BioScientists and Lifelong Learning at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG)/ School of Health Sciences of the Democritus University of Thrace.
  

  Katerina Kedraka

  Professor of Professional Skills for BioScientists and Lifelong Learning at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG)/ School of Health Sciences of the Democritus University of Thrace.

  Katerina Kedraka is a Professor of Professional Skills for BioScientists and Lifelong Learning at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG)/ School of Health Sciences of the Democritus University of Thrace. She is the Director of the Laboratory of ‘Teaching and Professional Development of BioScientists’ and the Head of the Postgraduate Program “Didactics of BioSciences” in the Department of MBG. She is the Coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and a member of the Board of the Center for Training and Lifelong Learning of the Democritus University of Thrace. She also teaches at the Hellenic Open University in the postgraduate program “Adult Education”. She is a founding member of the Hellenic Network of University Pedagogy and she launched and leads the corresponding Balkan Network BALKANETUP established through the Erasmus+ MAGNET program. She is an elected member of the Board of the Hellenic Association of Adult Education and co-editor of the international journal Adult Education Critical Issues. Her teaching and research work at national and international level, focuses on University Pedagogy, Adult Education, Teaching and Learning, Counseling and Career Management for bioscientists, educators, adults, women, vulnerable groups and youth.

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  Nikolaos Mouratoglou Assistant Professor of Pedagogy and Teachers’ Professional Development at the School of French Language and Literature, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  

  Nikolaos Mouratoglou

  Assistant Professor of Pedagogy and Teachers’ Professional Development at the School of French Language and Literature, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

  Nikolaos Mouratoglou has been elected Assistant Professor of Pedagogy and Teachers’ Professional Development at the School of French Language and Literature, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His work focuses on digital literacy, teacher professionalisation, and pedagogical innovation, with an emphasis on preparing educators for technology-enhanced learning environments. As Pedagogical and Monitoring Manager at European Schoolnet, he co-designs and oversees teacher professional development initiatives for eTwinning and the European School Education Platform across 43 countries, under the supervision of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. His work particularly supports the development of teachers’ digital and pedagogical competences through frameworks such as DigCompEdu and SELFIEforTEACHERS. He has also contributed to research on AI skills in European education and participated in multiple European projects linking initial teacher education with continuing professional development and digital competences. His research addresses pedagogy, teacher career development, and counselling.