Candidate for At-Large Board Membership: Theoni Spathi

My name is Theoni Spathi and I am a criminologist/researcher, holding two bachelor degrees, one from the Department of Economics of the Athens University of Economics and Business (BA in Business Economics and Finance, 2006) where I entered with a honorary fellowship for ranking 1st in University entrance exams in the field of Economics, among all other student-applicants, and another one from the Law Faculty of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (BA in Law, 2011), where I managed to complete my studies at a period of three years. I continued my studies at a graduate level in the field of Criminology, having received two Masters of Science, one from University College London (MSc in Crime Science, 2012) and another one from the University of Leicester (MSc in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice, 2015). Currently I am a PhD candidate in the Law Faculty of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. I have participated as chair/lecturer to several national and European criminological conferences (IMISCOE, Euro crime, Hellenic Crime Society conference, British Society of Criminology conference, etc.) and I have published both online and offline few research papers and articles, based on cyber criminology and on migration. My main research interests include online crime and criminal behaviour, cyber-prevention, and detection techniques, as well as migration studies, while since 2018 have participated in several Fight Against Crime & Terror (FCT), Border and External Security (BES) and Migration and Security projects for European Programmes, both as team member and as project manager. I am also an active member to several Scientific Associations and Societies (European Society of Criminology, Hellenic Institute of Criminology, Hellenic Criminologists’ Society of Panteion University, Center of Criminology Studies, Certified Auditors of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology) as well as a volunteer translator in the Fundraising and Marketing Department of PRAKSIS and a mentor around Law, Penal Law and Criminology in 100mentors society. All these research-oriented endeavours have equipped me not only with a more strategic approach around the concepts of crime control and prevention but also with a practical implementation of the scientific principles to crime reduction as well as with a critical viewpoint evolved in an innovative and pioneer research environment.

Parallel to my academic path, I am a senior research associate with CERTH-ITI having previously worked in several European Funded Programs as a research associate in the Centre for Security Studies (KEMEA), in the Special Account for Research Grants and in Organisation Against Drugs, I have also the ownership of a family founded company. Through my professional experience, I have had the opportunity not only to have the overview of the general management, the communication and servicing of the projects’ stakeholders, the financial management and the promotion and branding, but also to work and socialize with diverse people, to visit foreign countries, to participate in group talks, to attend and organize seminars and lectures, and generally to be intrigued by different stimulus worldwide. My work experience has been also supplemented during my term as President AIESEC in Greece the international student-run Non-Governmental Organization. Through this position and generally through my AIESEC term (2002-2007), not only have I sharpened my leadership skills that I will now be able to use in taking initiatives, but also, I have managed to think in a strategic way, to set goals, to work effectively under pressure, to take risks, to handle crisis in an adaptive way and to successfully lead the whole Organization with commitment and enthusiasm.

All the prementioned academic and working experiences have been essential for me to fully appreciate the stimuli and opportunities offered by the at-large position of the European Society of Criminology, and thus to adjust to the specific expectations and to be willing to play an active role with commitment to the strategic vision, mission, and values.