Natalia Spyropoulou | Education | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Natalia Spyropoulou | Education | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Natalia Spyropoulou | Education | Hellenic Open University | Greece

Dr. Natalia Spyropoulou is a highly accomplished researcher whose work focuses on STEAM education, competence development, lifelong learning, course design, and large-scale MOOC development, contributing significantly to digital learning innovation at the Hellenic Open University and Ionian University. She holds a strong academic foundation culminating in a doctorate in education-related research from a recognized European institution, where she specialized in designing technology-enhanced learning environments and competency-driven instructional frameworks for educators. In her professional experience, Dr. Natalia Spyropoulou has served in various academic and research capacities, participating in collaborative international projects that examine the integration of STEM and STEAM methodologies, online professional development programs, and the role of IoT in shaping student engagement and STEM career pathways. She has maintained active research collaborations with leading scholars and institutions, contributing to multidisciplinary initiatives across Europe. Her research interests include educator competence frameworks, digital pedagogy, virtual learning spaces, communities of practice, MOOC usability, STEM career development, and the broader evolution of distance and flexible higher education. Demonstrating robust research skills, she excels in mixed-methods research design, data analysis, MOOC development strategies, instructional design, and evaluation of digital learning tools across formal and informal education settings. Her scholarly impact is supported by more than 509 citations, an h-index of 13 and an i10-index of 15, alongside active contributions to IEEE-indexed and Scopus-indexed publications. She has collaborated with international research teams and has contributed to policy-driven educational projects focused on empowering educators through structured competence frameworks. Dr. Natalia Spyropoulou has also been involved in notable educational innovation initiatives and has been recognized through invitations to participate in academic conferences, professional development initiatives, and community-based educational programs, highlighting her academic service and leadership. Her awards and honors reflect her contributions to STEAM education development, distance learning innovation, and cross-institutional educational collaboration. Dr. Natalia Spyropoulou’s work demonstrates a consistent commitment to enhancing educator preparation, advancing research-based digital learning solutions, and shaping the future of STEAM pedagogy. She continues to expand her research footprint by contributing to international collaborations, advancing evidence-based instructional frameworks, and fostering the development of modern educational ecosystems that support student engagement, career readiness, and educator professional growth.

Academic Profile: ORCID | Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

  1. Spyropoulou, N., Pierrakeas, C., & Kameas, A. (2014). Creating MOOC guidelines based on best practices. Citations: 71

  2. Spyropoulou, N., Demopoulou, G., Pierrakeas, C., Koutsonikos, I., & Kameas, A. (2015). Developing a computer programming MOOC. Citations: 49

  3. Spyropoulou, N., & Kameas, A. (2024). Augmenting the impact of STEAM education by developing a competence framework for STEAM educators for effective teaching and learning. Citations: 46

  4. Spyropoulou, N., Glaroudis, D., Iossifides, A., & Zaharakis, I. (2020). Fostering secondary students’ STEM career awareness through IoT hands-on educational activities: Experiences and lessons learned. Citations: 31

  5. Glaroudis, D., Iossifides, A., Spyropoulou, N., Zaharakis, I., & Kameas, A. (2019). STEM learning and career orientation via IoT hands-on activities in secondary education. Citations: 29