DrStergiani Kostopoulou

My educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that learning is a transformative process of self-formation, where students are active agents in shaping their intellectual, personal, and ethical growth. I view education not merely as a means to acquire knowledge or prepare for a career, but as a journey of critical self-reflection and relational development. In my teaching, I aim to create an environment that fosters autonomy, encourages curiosity and reasonable scepticism, and promotes lifelong learning. I believe in guiding students to think independently, engage meaningfully with diverse perspectives, and apply their learning to real-world contexts. Ultimately, I strive to empower students to become self-directed learners who contribute positively to society and embrace learning as an ongoing, evolving process.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, I was honoured with the UCD Teaching and Learning Excellence Award, which formally recognizes the value and impact of my contributions to student learning.