Professor, Department of Primary Education
Director of the Institute for Research in Education and Digital Humanities and Social Sciences
University of Crete
Eleni Katsarou
- 1 What is your research about?
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I am interested in how we learn, how we understand the world around us, how we communicate, how we learn to think critically, and how we participate actively in society. We call this “literacy” – and it means much more than simply knowing how to read and write. My research explores how schools and other educational institutions can help children, young people, and adults develop the knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking they need to live and participate meaningfully in today’s world.
- 2 Why is it important?
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Because education does not only prepare us for a job; it prepares us for life. A person who can think critically, understand others, express their views, and participate in decisions that affect their life can become a more active and democratic citizen. I believe that by improving education, we can gradually improve our society as well.
- 3 What inspired you to pursue this path?
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I started my career as a secondary school teacher of language and literature. In the classroom, I saw first-hand that children are often bored or disengaged, not because they do not want to learn, but because the way we ask them to learn does not connect with them or their lives. This made me start asking questions: Can school be different? Can we make learning more interesting, more meaningful, and more connected to children’s lives? This is how my research journey began.
- 4 What do you like most about research?
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What I like most is that my research is directly connected to people and society. We do not conduct research simply to produce new knowledge; we can use that knowledge to improve education. And better education can mean more creative and free-thinking people and, ultimately, a more democratic and humane society.
- 5 What advice would you give to a child who loves science?
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Follow what truly excites you and do not be afraid to pursue your dreams. Do not choose a path simply because someone tells you, “That is where the jobs are,” and do not give up something you love because you hear that “there are no career opportunities in that field.” When you truly love something, you work hard at it, you become good at it, and eventually you find your own professional path.
- 6 Fun fact: Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
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I love travelling! That is why scientific conferences are twice the fun for me: I meet people from all over the world and exchange ideas with them, while at the same time discovering new places, people, food, and ways of life. So perhaps my little secret is that behind every conference I choose to attend, there is also a bit of a traveller’s curiosity!
