The Laboratory of Pedagogical Research and Lifelong Education is one of three institutionalised research laboratories at the Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education of the University of Patras. It was founded in 1996 as the Laboratory of Pedagogical Research and Applications and was renamed the Laboratory of Pedagogical Research and Lifelong Education in 2016. The Laboratory is staffed by an eleven-member team consisting of DESECE Faculty Members, PhD candidates and external collaborators/researchers. Subjects researched at the Laboratory include Aesthetic Education (Aesthetics, Visual Arts, Theatrical Expression, Music), Anthropological Approaches, Lifelong Education (Teacher Training, Curriculum Design and Evaluation, University Education), Educational Psychology, Preschool Education, Body Practices (Physical Literacy), and Inclusive Education. The members of the Laboratory conduct research into these areas and participate in programmes in Greece and internationally, support the educational work of the Department, organise scholarly conferences and events, and develop partnerships both in Greece and abroad. The Laboratory is housed in the building of the Section of Theoretical and Applied Pedagogy of the DESECE.
The Laboratory is home to the first Child Rights Centre established in Greece, created through a partnership between UNICEF Greece and the University of Patras. The Centre is coordinated by Professor Thanassis Karalis and actively participates in a wide range of initiatives, including:
- Anti-Bullying Initiatives in Schools, in collaboration with UNICEF Greece and the Regional Primary and Secondary Education Directorate of Western Greece.
- Participation in the National Action Against Childhood Obesity, aimed at encouraging children to adopt healthy eating habits and engage in physical activity.
On behalf of the Laboratory's members, we welcome you to our website, where you can explore the research and educational activities carried out by our research teams.
Laboratory Directors
Professor Vassiliki Riga (2024-present)
Professor Thanassis Karalis (2012-2024)
