L. (Lucy) Avraamidou, Prof

ISEC: Overview of vision, goals, and research projects

Personal Research Projects

1. OTTER: Outdoor Science Education for a Sustainable Future (EU-H2020, 2021-2024, Budget 1.6 million)

The aim of the project is to improve understanding and accreditation of science learning that takes place outside of the formal educational system and to enhance young people’s interest in STEM studies and careers.

2. MAMMOTH: Tackling race-, gender- and other biases in Artificial Intelligence (EU-H2020, 2022-2025, Budget 3.3 million)

The aim of the project is to develop an innovative fairness-aware AI-data-driven foundation that provides the necessary tools and techniques for the discovery and mitigation of (multi-)discrimination and ensures the accountability of AI systems in relation to biases. 

3. Scientists and public engagement (EU-Erasmus+ KA2, 2022-2024, Budget: 250,000)

The project aims to train scientists to engage the public with scientific issues, concepts, and actions related to climate change/crisis through different media and spaces: popular science magazines, newspapers, websites, social media, TV, radio, TEDx talks, science festivals, etc.

4. Sustainable mobility in school education (EU-Erasmus+ KA2, 2022-2024, Budget 250,000)

The project's main aim is to foster awareness of climate change and promote sustainable mobility through green educational activities. The initiative provides teachers with the tools needed to develop sustainable competencies among students, encouraging them to reduce GHG emissions. Notable outcomes include an e-Guide for teachers, blended learning modules, a tailored curriculum, digital escape rooms, and animation videos.

5. STEAM4ALL: Towards an Inclusive STEAM program for all (EU-Erasmus + KA2, 2022-2024, Budget: 228,000)

STEAM4ALL aims to empower science middle school teachers to promote goals related to diversity and inclusion with a focus on the development of 21st-century skills. 

6. STEM-DIGITALIS: STEM DIGITAL LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION (EU-Erasmus+ KA2, 2021-2023; Budget: 288.000)

The project aims to support preservice science teachers' development of digital pedagogical competencies regarding STEM teaching such as the use of innovative digital tools and online resources (e.g. educational robotics, microcomputers/data loggers, virtual labs, remote labs, etc.).

7. ALL-INTERACT: Widening and diversifying citizen engagement with science (EU-H2020, 2020-2023; Budget: 1.1 million euro, with Dr. M. Lopez Lopez)

The project aims to examine and address long-standing inequalities and exclusion of specific groups (women, refugees, LGTBQIA+, ethnic/religious minorities) from science in the European context.

8. Generation AI: Teaching children with/about Artificial Intelligence (EU-Erasmus+ KA2, 2020-2022, Budget 275.440)

The aim of the GENERATION AI project is to support educators and students in developing an evidence-based understanding of the complexities and basic principles of AI, computational thinking, and how they can be integrated into teaching-learning to promote creative problem-solving, resilience, and design thinking. A secondary goal of the project is to support teachers and students to become more critical consumers of technology applications across their lifespan.

9. Beyond gender: Intersectional identity as a lens to examining women’s (non)-participation in science (RUG, 2017-2022; Budget: 25,000 euro, personal project)

Grounded within a combined theoretical framework of intersectionality, identity, and narrative, the project examines the intersectional identities, lived experiences, and educational pathways of women in science. A deeper and comprehensive understanding of how different identities (e.g., gender identity, racial identity, class identity, religious identity) and life experiences might influence women’s science careers trajectories allows us to shift the focus away from a deficit model where gender alone is considered.

10. ROOTS: Ik ben science!   (RUG, 2018-2022, PhD scholarship)

ROOTS is a science enrichment, multilingual, community-based programme that draws on disciplines in science, technology, the arts, the environment, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM). ROOTS is used to refer to the urgency of communities moving towards a more environmentally sustainable future. “Ik ben Science” is used to refer to the programme’s aspiration to enhance children’s self-identification with science and to support them in developing an understanding of the diversity of STEM careers.

11. Using Mobile Augmented Reality Games to Develop Key Competencies through Learning about Sustainable Development (EU-Erasmus+ KA2, 2019-2021, 2019-2021; Budget: 287,000 euro)

The project includes the design, implementation, and evaluation of mobile augmented reality games and related curricular materials in the context of secondary school science. The purpose of the project is to support teachers and students develop key competencies in teaching and learning about sustainable development.

12. Preparing Teachers and Students for a Digital World (EU-Erasmus+ KA2, 2019-2021; Budget: 286,000 euro)

The project includes the design of an interdisciplinary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) program to empower students, school leaders, and communities to apply STEAM activities, robotics, and digital tools for the purpose of supporting them in developing 21st-century skills. As part of the project, an innovative, interactive, open-access e-learning space will be developed which will provide a set of readily available resources for school teachers.