Staff Spotlight: Dr. Afroditi Koulaxi, Course Instructor - London

The CEA CAPA Staff Spotlight is a monthly series highlighting the individuals who teach courses and provide academic instruction at our global education centers in different study abroad locations across the world. Their teaching leaves a mark on students who study abroad. This month, we meet Dr. Afroditi Koulaxi from our London destination.

WHICH COURSE(S) DO YOU TEACH AT CEA CAPA?

Dr. Afroditi Koulaxi: I teach Experiencing Globalization: Society, Space and Daily Life in London and a section of our Global Internship Course.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING FOR CEA CAPA?

Dr. Koulaxi: I’ve been a member of faculty since December 2022.

WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC INTERESTS AND FOCUS?

Dr. Koulaxi: My research cross-fertilizes theories and methods from media and communications, sociology, and urban studies, and contributes to the literature on media and identity at times of crisis. By zooming in on a multicultural Athenian neighborhood undergoing many changes, my research examined citizens’ embodied and mediated encounters with noncitizen migrants in the spatio-temporality of compounded crises. In empirical terms, I explored how Greek citizens reacted to and negotiated knowledge developed through mediated encounters when in physical proximity with migrants within the urban locale of Kypseli.

I have six years’ experience in three migration - related projects, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, the London School of Economics' Institute of Global Affairs, the A.G. Leventis Foundation, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). I have work ed as a researcher at the Migration and the media project, Resilient Communities, Resilient Cities?: Digital makings of the city of refuge, and recently completed the Mobile Citizenship, States of Exception and (non)Border Regimes in post - COVID - 19 Cyprus project.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS?

Dr. Koulaxi: My contribution to teaching and research has been significantly recognized in the last two years. I have received the ‘Second Top Student Paper Award in Ethnicity and Race in Communication’ award by the International Communication Association (ICA) as well as the ‘Excellence in Education Award’ (2021-22) and ‘Class Teacher Award’ (2022–23) by the London School of Economics and Political Science and the Eden Centre for Education Enhancement (LSE).

PLEASE SHARE SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR CLASS OR ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE.

Dr. Koulaxi: One unique aspect of my Experiencing Globalization class is the emphasis on interactive and collaborative learning experiences. Rather than solely relying on traditional lecture - style teaching, I strive to create a student - led environment—a dynamic and engaging classroom environment that encourages active participation and critical thinking. Overall, there is an important emphasis on peer learning and group work.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT TEACHING STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS?

Dr. Koulaxi: There are three aspects of teaching study - abroad students that I truly enjoy.

Firstly, working with U.S. students creates a vibrant learning environment where students can exchange ideas, challenge the so - called common sense ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of social issues, such as migration, gentrification, and others.

Secondly, teaching study - abroad students often involves field trips (including ones we’ve done in Whitechapel, Brick Lane, and Shoreditch), site visits (the British Library), and experiential learning opportunities (field trips to the City of London and Canary Wharf). These activities allow students to directly engage with phenomena we discuss in the classroom. Seeing their enthusiasm and curiosity as they explore and experience globalization in everyday life is really valuable.

Lastly, it keeps me constantly learning and adapting my teaching methods. The diverse backgrounds and disciplines represented in the classroom require me to be flexible and creative in my approach. It challenges me to find innovative ways to engage students, accommodate their needs, and ensure a meaningful educational experience for everyone involved.

About Dr. Afroditi Koulaxi

Dr. Afroditi Koulaxi is a lecturer at CEA CAPA, Guest Teacher in the Department of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. She is an Associate Fellow of AdvanceHE. She has extensively taught Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications I (Key concepts and interdisciplinary approaches), Global Communications, Citizens and Cultural Politics, Social Media in Everyday Life, and Experiencing Globalization: Society, Space and Daily Life in London. Her goal as an instructor is to create an inclusive classroom where students and teacher co-create knowledge through their diverse experiences and backgrounds.