I graduated from the University of Crete (Greece) with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology in 2001. For two years I worked as a psychologist and then I obtained a MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (2004) from King’s College (University of London). I went on to work as a mental health worker in primary schools and research assistant before studying for a PhD in Psychology (completed in 2013) at the Institute of Education (University of London).

Since 2009, I have been teaching in Higher Education Institutions (Institute of Education, University of Chichester). Before moving to Bournemouth University (January 2014), I worked for one and a half years as a postdoctoral research fellow (University of Portsmouth) on an EEF (Education Endowment Fund) project examining the effect of Implicit Theories of Intelligence in children’s academic achievement.

Research

My previous research mainly focused on the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage and adverse life events on children’s and adolescent’s psychological adjustment. I am interested in identifying protective factors underlying the relationship between risk and resilience and uncovering the processes through which children and adolescents acquire the capacity for resilience. The goal of my research is to provide researchers, schools and practitioners with a helpful tool to identify at-risk children and youth and to implement the most suitable preventions and interventions that aim to promote positive outcomes and development.

My most recent research investigated how vicarious traumatisation and perceived stress affected psychology practitioners who performed their duties during and after the lockdown period and the factors that enhanced their resilient features. Other recent projects has focused on teachers' wellbeing, gambling-related harms among children and young people, and internet addiction among families.

Publications

Grants

Outreach & engagement