Dr. Eleftheria Sfakianaki | Social psychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. of social psychology, Hellenic Open University, Greece

Eleftheria Sfakianaki, born on September 10, 1968, in Heraklion, Crete, is a distinguished psychologist specializing in social and organizational psychology. With a Ph.D. in social psychology, she has an extensive background in both academic and professional settings. Eleftheria is known for her contributions to education, counseling, and her active role in European programs supporting vulnerable social groups.

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Evaluation for Best Researcher Award: Eleftheria Sfakianaki

Strengths:

1. Academic Qualifications and Experience:
   • Eleftheria Sfakianaki holds a PhD in Social Psychology from Panteion University of Athens, along with degrees from the University of Athens and the University Francois Rabelais. This extensive academic background highlights her deep knowledge and expertise in psychology.
   • Her teaching experience at the Hellenic Open University and the Higher Pedagogical Training School (ASPETE) showcases her ability to convey complex psychological concepts and her commitment to education.
2. Professional and Research Experience:
   • Sfakianaki has been involved in the management and implementation of European programs for NGOs, focusing on the inclusion of vulnerable social groups. This work demonstrates her dedication to applying psychological principles to real-world problems.
   • As a psychologist and consultant in professional orientation, she has significant hands-on experience counseling adolescents and parents, enhancing her practical understanding of psychological issues.
3. Research and Publications:
   • Her research focuses on social representations, professional counseling, and vocational guidance, with studies comparing social representations among young Europeans and analyzing university social representations in Greece.
   • Sfakianaki has published in reputable journals such as Acta Psychologica and the International Scientific Educational Journal “educ@tional circle.” Her work addresses critical areas in social psychology and education.
4. Special Skills and Seminars:
   • She possesses strong skills in statistical data analysis (SPSS) and has undergone extensive training in psychometric tools, personnel selection, and evaluation.
   • Her participation in various seminars on psychometric tools and HR management indicates her continuous effort to stay updated with the latest methodologies and techniques in psychology.

Areas for Improvement:

1. International Collaboration:
   • While Sfakianaki has published and presented her research, increasing collaboration with international researchers could broaden the impact of her work and provide new perspectives and methodologies.
2. Broader Range of Publications:
   • Although she has several publications, targeting higher-impact international journals could further enhance her research visibility and recognition in the global academic community.
3. Grant Acquisition:
   • Securing more research grants from prominent funding agencies could provide additional resources for her research projects and validate the significance of her work.
4. Language Proficiency:
   • While she is fluent in French and English, improving her proficiency in other languages like Italian and German could facilitate broader international collaboration and access to a wider range of academic resources.

 

🎓 Education:

Eleftheria’s academic journey is marked by notable achievements, including a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Panteion University of Athens (2019). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Athens (2005) and a Maitrise in Social and Organizational Psychology from the University Francois Rabelais, France (1995). Her educational foundation was further strengthened with a degree in Psychology from the College of Athens (2002), and earlier, she studied French at the University Blaise Pascal of Clermont Ferrand (1992).

💼 Experience:

Eleftheria has amassed significant teaching experience, notably as a collaborative teaching staff member at the Hellenic Open University (2021-2023) and a scientific collaborator at the Higher Pedagogical Training School – ASPETE (2018-2022). Professionally, she has been a psychologist and consultant since 2007, specializing in professional orientation and adolescent-parental counseling. Her work includes managing and participating in European programs for NGOs, focusing on the inclusion of vulnerable social groups in Athens and Heraklion.

🔬 Research Interests:

Eleftheria’s research interests revolve around social psychology, particularly the social representations of young people, professional counseling, and educational strategies for socially vulnerable groups. She has conducted comparative studies on social representations among young Europeans and investigated the core elements of university social representations among Greek youth.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions:

Eleftheria’s dedication to her field has earned her recognition as a pivotal figure in social and organizational psychology. Her commitment to education and counseling has positively impacted numerous students and professionals, fostering a deeper understanding of social psychology in various educational settings.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

1. Sfakianaki, E. (2024). “Conditionality and the Negotiation of Core Elements in University Social Representations.” Acta Psychologica, 248. Link to article
   Cited by articles on social psychology and educational studies.
2. Stratakis, T., & Sfakianaki, E. (2023). “Counseling and Vocational Counseling in Secondary Education for Socially Vulnerable Groups.” International Scientific Educational Journal “educ@tional circle”, 11(3), 82-92. Link to article
   Cited by articles on counseling and vocational guidance.
3. Φιλιπποπούλου, Α., & Σφακιανάκη, Ε. (2024). “Κοινωνικές αναπαραστάσεις των εκπαιδευτικών δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης νομού Χανίων για την συμβουλευτική διάσταση του ρόλου τους στο σύγχρονο πολυπολιτισμικό σχολείο.” Επιθεώρηση Συμβουλευτικής – Προσανατολισμού, 135-136, 55-66. Link to article
   Cited by articles on educational counseling and multicultural education.

Conclusion:

Eleftheria Sfakianaki is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her extensive academic qualifications, significant teaching experience, and dedication to research in social psychology and professional counseling. Her involvement in European programs for vulnerable social groups and her practical experience in counseling adolescents and parents underscore her commitment to applying psychological principles to benefit society. By focusing on international collaborations, targeting higher-impact journals, securing more research grants, and improving language proficiency, Sfakianaki can further strengthen her candidacy and make even more substantial contributions to the field of psychology.