Eirini (Irene) Spanaki is a member of Laboratory and Teaching Staff at the School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete. Her teaching focuses on ‘Teaching and Assessment of students with Special Educational Needs, Interculturalism, School inclusion’, and ‘Development of Communication Skills and Classroom and Conflict Management’ in the Field of the Certificate of Pedagogical and Teaching Competence Program. She, also, teaches ‘Learning difficulties in mathematics’ in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. She completed her PhD at the University of Patras, focusing on Strategies for including preschool students with or without special educational needs. In the past, she served as a member of the scientific staff of the Center of Diagnosis, Assessment and Support of children of Heraklion.  Her research focuses on interventional programs on children’s cognitive, psychomotor and social–emotional skills, on interculturalism and on science. At the same time, she has participated in training programs for teachers for several years as a trainer and has participated in research programs of the Ministry of Education, in differential and inclusive education and the development of digital skills. She has participated in KEDIVIM programs as an instructor on topics related to Inclusion and Counseling, and as academic supervisor of the program for developing Psychological Resilience.

Research Interests: pedagogical strategies, inclusion, special educational needs, interculturalism, the use of art in teaching (STEAM), science, social justice, communication skills and adults’ education. She has written works related to educational intervention programs for the inclusion of all students.

Indicated publications:

• Spanaki, E. Irene & Raptis, B. Ioannis (2015). Psychosocial intervention program on emotional skills of an ADHD child: A case study. Journal of Education Research and Behavioral Sciences, 4(7), 209-213, ISSN 2315-8735© http://www.questia.com
• Spanaki, E., Grekioti A., & Skordilis E. (2016). Psychomotor training program with elements of theatrical play on motor proficiency and cognitive skills of preschoolers. International Journal of Research in Applied, Natural and Social Science, 4(6), 147- 158.ISSN(E):2321-8851, Impact factor: 2.7341.
• Raptis V. Ioannis & Spanaki E. Eirini (2017). Teachers’ attitudes regarding the development of socio- emotional skills in elementary schools in Greece. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 4(1), 21- 28. DOI 10.19173
• Spanaki Eirini (2023). Science students’ attitudes toward teaching approaches through arts: A case study. Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy & Faculty Development University of Crete, Rethymnon, 5-17 September 2023 ISBN 978-960-9430-26-5
• Kypriotaki, M., Markodimitraki, M., Linardakis, M., Kalogiannakis, Μ., Irene Spanaki, Kalesiou, Μ. Zymonopoulou, Μ. (2024). Construction and Validation of a Scale Regarding the Attitudes of Parents of Young Children towards Animals. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 5(1), 35- 42. ISSN 2736-4534
• Spanaki. E., Pratikaki., A. (2025). UoC Science students’ perceptions regarding formal and informal settings as an inclusive didactic approach. Proceedings of the International Coalition Conference, University of Crete, Heraklion, pp. 99 – 103, in Katsampoxaki-Hodgetts, K. (Ed.). (2025). Inclusive student-centred pedagogies. University of Crete. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17353004 ISBN 978- 960- 9430-29-6
• Spanaki. E. (2025). UoC science students’ perceptions regarding inclusion in higher education Proceedings of the International Coalition Conference, University of Crete, Heraklion, pp. 40- 44, in Katsampoxaki-Hodgetts, K. (Ed.). (2025). Inclusive student-centred pedagogies. University of Crete. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17353004 ISBN 978- 960- 9430-29-6
• Spanaki, Eirini (2025). Inclusive Science Teaching Through Simulations: Perspectives of University of Crete Science Students on Supporting Learners with Special Educational Needs. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 38(6), 147- 159 https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2025/v38i61447
• Spanaki, Eirini (2026). Social Justice in Education of Non-Native Language Students: Teaching and Assessing in Science, Utilizing Transformative Learning Through Art, International Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Studies (IJAHSSS) 11(4) April 2026 ISSN: 2582-1601
• Spanaki, Eirini (2026). Enhancing the use of sculptures on the theme of migration in education: Transformative learning as an approach to understanding social equality, International Journal of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences Studies, 11(4) April 2026 ISSN: 2582-1601