What’s your name and job title? 

My name is Gatzioufa Paraskevi and I work as an academic researcher at University of  Western Macedonia 

Tell us a few words about your background: 

I have a PhD in the field of artificial intelligence and e-commerce from the University of Western Macedonia and a Master’s degree in Applied Business Informatics from the University of Macedonia. I have taught for 20 years in higher educational institutions, published articles in scientific journals and international conferences and participated in Erasmus projects. 

What organisation do you work for? 

University of  Western Macedonia (UoWM) 

 What does your organisation do? 

The University of Western Macedonia (UWM) is a non-profit organization in Greece, with a presence in five cities in the region of Western Macedonia. 

UoWM is committed to promoting education, research and innovation, fostering critical thinking, scientific excellence and social responsibility. Through modern facilities, accredited laboratories, international partnerships and initiatives such as the University Centre for Research and Innovation and the Erasmus Office, UoWM fosters an environment of academic rigour and social impact.  

The University actively participates in European and international partnerships to enhance academic excellence, extroversion and community engagement. Its facilities include a network of modern campuses, libraries and research laboratories that support scientific research, entrepreneurship and sustainable development. 

The K.DI.BI.M. is a structure of the University of Western Macedonia, which ensures coordination and interdisciplinary cooperation in the development and implementation of continuing education and training programmes. 

What is your role in the PREVENT project? What are you currently working on? 

My contribution focused on writing part of the pedagogical guide on “New depth technologies for higher education teachers and their contribution to natural disaster prevention”, aiming to support teachers in implementing experiential and technology-enhanced prevention and awareness-raising activities in this field.  

My extensive involvement in education and my doctoral thesis focusing on the use of artificial intelligence helped to apply the knowledge gained to the writing of the pedagogical guide and its integration into the university curriculum, increasing the interest and attention of participants in the use of depth learning technologies for natural disaster prevention. 

This project enhances educational preparedness for natural disasters and empowers the educational community to cultivate critical thinking and prevention skills using new cutting-edge technologies. 

Why is being part of the PREVENT project important to you? 

My participation in the PREVENT project is important to me because it combines advanced research in artificial intelligence with a meaningful social contribution. By co-authoring the pedagogical guide on new depth technologies for higher education teachers, I supported their efforts to design, organize and implement teaching practices to promote disaster prevention skills within the curriculum. PREVENT not only promotes technological innovation, but also builds societal resilience by empowering communities to better cope with natural hazards – a mission that is fully aligned with my commitment to using science for public benefit. 

How do you like to spend your free time? 

I play volleyball and chess.