IFIGENEIA MANITSA


Psychology PhD researcher at Kingston University London investigating the impact of social inclusion on the self-concept and academic inclusion of adolescents with visual impairment. Research methods Tutor at Kingston University. Teacher and Special Educator.
​  Conference papers
  • Manitsa, I., (2018).  The importance of social inclusion in general schools to the self-concept of adolescents with visual impairment and their differences with sighted children. Paper presented at Kingston University Postgraduate Research Conference, Kingston, UK.
  • Manitsa, I. (2018). The importance of social relationships with sighted peers to the self-concept of adolescents with visual impairment and the differences between both groups. Oral and poster session presented at "Listen to me" Multi-sensory Impairment Conference, Seashell trust Organisation, Manchester Conference Centre, UK.
  • Manitsa, I. & Doikou, M. (2017). The academic experiences of studies in higher education from the perspective of visual impaired students. Paper presented at the 4th Pan-Hellenic Conference in Special Education with International Participation, “Modern Trends and Proposals in Special Education", The Company of Special Education in Greece, Harokopio University, Greece.
  • Manitsa, I. (2016). The experiences of studies in higher education from the perspective of students with visual impairment. Paper presented at the 4rd Conference of Postgraduate Students in the field of Education, “New Voices 4”, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
 Other academic presentations
  • Manitsa, I., Barlow-Brown, F. & Lyons, E. (2018). Social inclusion and the differences in self-concept between adoelscents with visual impairments and their sighted peers. Poster presentation at "Sensing Nature: Wellbeing with nature and sight impairment" Exhibition, London, UK.
  • Manitsa, I., Barlow-Brown, F. & Lyons, E. (2018). The role of friendship and the importance of social relationships on students with visual impairments and their sighted peers. Poster session presented at the Open Lecture “Children, Tablets and iPads: Concerns and New Possibilities” with Prof. David Messer. Kingston University London.
  • Manitsa, I. (2014). The Interdisciplinary school project " Nazism: The black pages of the History". Paper presented at the “School Projects about Nazism” Day Conference, Department of Philosophy and Pedagogy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

​ Professional registration and membership
  • QTS (Qualified Teacher Status

Academic working experience
2018- Present    
Research methods seminar tutor at Kingston University London.

2018                   
 Examiner of MSc and BSc students in “Biological Psychology”, BPP – London Waterloo University.

2018                   
Research Assistant on Maths tasks during Young Scientists Days at Kingston University London.

2017                   
Participation in the organisation of the “Summer School 2017: Doing and Communicating Qualitative Research”,            Kingston University London.


Teaching experience
2018-Present
Special needs assistant at Hinchley Wood Primary School, Esher, Surrey, United Kingdom.

2018-Present
Supervisor of two Lego Social Clubs in Reception Class and Social Stories Social Club in Year 4 at Hinchley Wood Primary School, Esher, Surrey, United Kingdom.

2017- Present
Teacher in Year 2 at the Greek Orthodox School of St Barnabas, Wood Green, London.

2012 - Present
Private tutor of various typical and atypical (learning disabilities, autism, mental disorders) individuals, age range from nursery school to higher education and in different subjects, such as English and Greek Language, French, German, Maths, Music and Pedagogy.

2017 - 2018
Teacher in a class which consists of students who belong to different educational levels at the Greek Orthodox School of St Constantine and Helen, Westow St, London.

2017
Volunteer teaching assistant in Year 1 at St George Greek Orthodox School, Kingston, London.

2017
Volunteer teaching assistant in Year 2 and Year 5 at Epsom Primary School, Epsom, Surrey, London.

2013 
Observation and teaching students with learning disabilities and mental disorders, 80th Primary school, Thessaloniki, Greece

2012
Practitioner (six-month internship) in Year 2 at 81st primary school, Thessaloniki, Greece.​

2006 –  2007
Tutor of the theory of music in primary school students, as prerequisite for obtaining the degree of expert in Harmony of the Music, “Aristotle Conservatory”, Trikala, Greece.

Other professional engagements
2018
Exam invigilator - Glenthorne School.

2017- Present
Volunteer columnist in the column “Personal Development” of a Greek Online Magazine, www.simplylife,gr, writing non-academic articles about Education and Special Education.​

2014
Voluntary participation in conducting seminars about nutrition to students with and without disabilities, Department of Food Technology, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

 Education

2017-Present
Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychology, School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Kingston University of London, United Kingdom.

2013-2016
MSc in Pedagogy with specialization in “Special Education”, Department of Philosophy and Pedagogy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Grade: 9.20/10 (Honours Degree 1st)

2009- 2013
Degree  in Pedagogy from the Pedagogical School of Primary Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Grade: 8.02/10 (Honours Degree 2:1)

 Achievements
  • Came first for written and oral examinations, in the field of Special Education at the MSc of Pedagogy in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • Praise – 7th European Student Competition on the Ancient Greek Language and Literature

 Skills
Research: Advanced quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, statistics, performance practice research.
IT: International Diploma in IT Skills Standard – Full Certificate- University of Cambridge International Examinations. Professional: Member of the Developmental Psychology Research Group of Kingston University London, Knowledge of writing and reading Braille system, Knowledge of Sign Language.
Languages: Greek (mother language), English (C2 - Certificate of Proficiency in English, University of Michigan), French (C2 - Diplôme De Langue Et Littérature Françaises 2eme Degré – Sorbonne C2), German (Level 1 - Present).
Artistic: Degree in the Harmony of Music, Piano.

 Career and Skills Development
2018
"Mobile eye tracking training", Kingston University London

2018
Workshop "Autism in the classroom", Kingston University London

2018                 
UCL ICH: Psychological wellbeing & mental health of children & young people with visual impairment, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London.

2018                 
3 Minute Thesis and media training, Kingston University London.

2018                
Observing the Infant: An interdisciplinary workshop on infancy from 1900 to Today, Kingston University London.

2018                
Interactive Data Skills Modules, UK Data Service.

2018                
 “England Vision Strategy” National Conference 2018, London, UK.

2018               
 Own your own work: how copyright and IPR affect your research – Discover session      resources, Kingston University London.

2018                 
Creating Academic Posters - Discover session resources, Kingston University London.

2017                
Organisation of the “Summer School 2017: Doing and Communicating Qualitative Research”, Kingston University London.

2017                
Children Safeguarding Training, Epsom Primary School, United Kingdom.

Enhanced DBS Disclosure