Assistant Professor in Computing
Course Leader of BSc (Hons) Computing

Qualifications

PhD (Royal Holloway University of London, 2012)

MSc Business Information Systems (Royal Holloway University of London, 2006)

BSc (Hons) Computer Science (University of Cyprus, 2005)

Programme in Skills of Teaching to Inspire Learning (Royal Holloway University of London, 2009)

Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), UK (2009)

Specialization

Computer Science (Educational Technology, Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience Design, Systems Analysis and Design, Computer Systems and Security, Database Systems, Management of Information Systems)

Employment Track

Assistant Professor in Computing, School of Sciences, UCLan Cyprus (September 2024 – Present)

Lecturer in Computing, School of Sciences, UCLan Cyprus (2020 – 2024)

Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Business Computing, P.A. College (2015 – 2020)

Head, Research and Development Department, P.A. College (2017 – 2020)

Adjunct Faculty, Open University of Cyprus (2015 – 2016)

Lecturer in Computer Science and Business Computing, P.A. College (2013 – 2015)

Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, Royal Holloway University of London, UK (2008 – 2010)

Memberships (Academic/Professional)

• Professional Member, Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) (2024 – Present)
• Full Member, Cyprus Computer Society (CCS)
• Member, Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) (2021 – Present)
• Member, DigiLearn, Centre for Collaborative Learning (CCL) (2020 – Present)
• Member, International Association of Mobile Learning (IAmLearn) (2017 – Present)
• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), UK

Research Interests

Educational technology (AI and social robots in education, mobile and digital Game-based learning (GBL), educational gamification, Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL), Computer-Supported Collaborative learning (CSCL), inclusive educational technology); Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (User Experience (UX) Design, technology and usability evaluation, interaction design); Education (learner engagement and motivation, innovative pedagogical design, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), cybersecurity education and awareness, employability and transferable skills development).

Roles and Responsibilities (including past roles and responsibilities)

Teaching and Course Leadership (UCLan Cyprus)

• Course Leader, BSc (Hons) Computing (2024 – Present)
• Deputy Course Leader, BSc (Hons) Computing (2020 – 2024)
• Teaching/Module Leadership: Software Development, Computer Systems and Security, Introduction to Programming, Explorations in Computing, Honours Degree (Double) Project

Previous Teaching Experience

• Teaching/Module Leadership (BSc): Systems Analysis and Design, Database Systems, Database Design and Management, Human-Computer Interaction, Software Engineering, Computer Organisation and Architecture, Networks and Communications Technology, Operating Systems, Management of Information Systems, Information Technologies and Services, Computing for Business, Project Management, Advanced Software Engineering Techniques, Object Oriented Methods in Computing.
• Teaching/Module Leadership (MSc): Information and Communication Systems Project Management, People and Technology, Masters Project

Administrative Roles

• Treasurer, ACM-Women (ACM-W) Cyprus (2024 – Present)
• Organising Team Member, CCS-Women group (2024 – Present)
• Chair, Teaching and Learning Enhancement Committee (TLEC) (2023 – Present)
• Member, Student Experience & Engagement Committee (SEEC) (2023 – Present)
• Member, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) (2023 – Present)
• Member, Teaching and Learning Enhancement Committee (TLEC) (2020 – 2023)

Selective Journal Publications and Book Chapters

• Simons, J., Flouraki, K., Oliveira, S.,  Nascimento, J., Barradas, C., Loureiro, A., Messias, I., Piki, A., Palmer, N.,  Mongelli, T.L., Guzel, A., Tekerek, A., Goncalves, C., & Leal, S., (2024). Identification of gaps in sustainable development education among higher education teachers. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education.
• Leal., S., Piki, A., Nascimento, J., Simons, J., Barradas, L.C., and Oliveira, S. (2024). Identification of Knowledge and Skills Gaps related to Sustainable Development: Two Exploratory Studies with Higher Education Students and Teachers in Europe. Introducing the UN SDGs in Higher Education Institutions. Publisher: Springer Nature.
• Stavrou, E. and Piki, A. (2024). Cultivating self-efficacy to empower professionals’ re-up skilling in cybersecurity. Information & Computer Security, 32(4), pp.523-541, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ICS-02-2024-0038.
• Leal, S., Nascimento, J., Piki, A., Tekerek, A., Güzel, A., Loureiro, A., Gonçalves, C., Messias, I., Simons, J., Teunen, L. and Barradas, L.C., (2024). Exploring sustainable development perceptions among higher education students: An empirical study on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 14, 100223, pp.1-12, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2024.100223.
• Stefan, A., Howard, L., Sundus, F., Tsalapatas, H. & Heidmann, O., Piki, A., Markou, M., Loizou, F., Milenkova, V., Ledzhova, V., and Leca, C. (2024). Stories on Talent-Oriented Education. In Stefan, I.A., Gheorghe, A.F., Baalsrud Hauge, J., Judd, N. (Eds), INCLUDEME in a nutshell.

• Piki, A. (2023). Teaching and Learning in the New Normal: The role of Social Technology and Wellbeing Education. In A. Elçi (Ed.), Professional Development of Faculty Members During- and Post-Crisis State (pp. 194-199). ISBN: 978-625-6983-20-5.
• Stefan, I.A., Gheorghe, A.F., Stefan, A., Piki, A., Tsalapatas, H. & Heidmann, O. (2022). Constructing Seamless Learning through Game-Based Learning Experiences. International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL), Vol. 14(4), pp. 1-12, https://doi.org/10.4018/IJMBL.315625.
• Kekkou A., Markou M., and Piki A. (2017). The Social Contribution of Systems Development Towards Breast Cancer Awareness. Cyprus International Journal of Management. Vol. 19(1), pp. 13-20.

• Mansouri, S.A. and Piki, A. (2016). An exploration into the impact of blogs on students’ learning: Case studies in postgraduate business education. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 53 (3).  pp. 260 – 273.

• Piki, A., and Rosenberg, D. (2013). Experiential Learning Using Collaborative Technologies: Case Study in Business Computing Education. Cyprus International Journal of Management. Vol. 18(1), pp. 17-39.

• Córdoba-Pachón, J.R., and Piki, A. (2012). Facilitating project management education through groups as systems. International Journal of Project Management, Vol. 30(1), pp. 83-93.
• Piki, A. (2010). Post-Implementation Evaluation of Collaborative Technology: A Case Study in Business Education. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, Vol. 13(1) pp. 77-86.

Selective Conference Publications

• Loureiro, A., Leal, S., Oliveira, S., Messias, I., Barradas, L., Tekerek, A. Guzel, A., Piki, A., Gonçalves, B.C., Simons, J., Mongelli, T., Gelfgren, V., and Michiels, X. (2024). Fostering Sustainability Competencies in Higher Education: A Multimodal Approach Through Time2act@Sd MOOC. 17^th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI 2024), 11-13 November 2024, Seville, Spain.

• Leal, S., Piki, A., Nascimento, J., Simons, J., Oliveira, S. (2024). Identification of knowledge and skills gaps related to sustainable development: Two Exploratory Studies with Higher Education Students and Teachers in Europe. 2^nd Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development in Higher Education, 10-11 October 2024, Hasselt, Belgium. (Best Academic Paper Award).

• Kasenides, N., Piki, A., Paspallis, N. (2024). The Edifying Impact of Blending Game-Based Learning with Educational Robotics: A Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, volume 14704, pp. 97-115. 26^th International Human- Computer Interaction Conference (HCII 2024), 29 June–4 July, Washington DC, USA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61305-0.
• Piki, A., Tchanturia, I., Kasenides, N., Paspallis, N., Leal., S. (2024). SDG Quest: Leveraging Mobile Game-Based Learning to Foster Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainable Development Goals. 26^th International Conference on Human Computer Interaction (HCII 2024), 29 June – 4 July 2024, Washington DC, USA.
• Piki, A., Markou, M., Stavrou, E., (2024). Towards a Unified Model of Cybersecurity Literacy: Blending Pedagogical, Professional, Conceptual and Empirical Insights. European Conference on Information Systems Education Research (ECISER 2024), 16 June 2024, Paphos, Cyprus.
• Nisiotis, L., Piki, A., Theodorou, P., Leal, S., Barradas, C.S.L., Nascimento, A.M.J. (2024). Evaluation of a Serious VR Game Designed to Promote the Sustainable Development Goals. IEEE CTSoc Gaming, Entertainment and Media conference (IEEE GEM 2024), 5-7 June 2024, Turin, Italy.
• Kallonas, C., Piki, A., Stavrou, E. (2024). Empowering Professionals: A Generative AI Approach to Personalized Cybersecurity Learning. IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (IEEE EDUCON 2024), 8-11 May 2024, Kos, Greece.
• Piki, A. and Markou, M. (2023). Digital Games and Mobile Learning for Inclusion: Perspectives from Special Education Teachers. The 10^th IEEE International Conference on Behavioural and Social Computing (BESC 2023), 30 October – 1 November 2023, Larnaca, Cyprus.
• Piki, A., Stavrou, E., Procopiou, A., Demosthenous, A. (2023). Fostering Cybersecurity Awareness and Skills Development Through Digital Game-Based Learning. 10^th IEEE International Conference on Behavioural and Social Computing (BESC 2023), 30 October – 1 November 2023, Larnaca, Cyprus.
• Procopiou, A. & Piki, A. (2023). #HerMetaverseToo – Gender-based Hate and Abuse in the Metaverse: The Case of Female Athletes. 10^th IEEE International Conference on Behavioural and Social Computing (BESC 2023), 30 October – 1 November 2023, Larnaca, Cyprus.

• Procopiou, A. and Piki, A. (2023). The 12^th Player – Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in Football: Conceptualisation, Applications, Challenges and Future Directions. 11^th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support (icSPORTS 2023), Rome, Italy, 16-17 November 2023.

• Stefan, I.A., Gheorghe, A.F., Dragulin, B., Piki, A., Hauge, J. B., Ștefan, A. (2023). A Game Design Matrix for Evaluating the Mobile Readiness, Ease of Use and Educational Capabilities of Interactive Web-Based Activities. In Proceedings of the 22^nd Global conference on Mobile, Blended and Seamless Learning (iTLT mLearn 2023), Umhlanga, South Africa, 9-11 October 2023.

• Kasenides, N., Piki, A. & Paspallis, N. (2023). Exploring the User Experience and Effectiveness of Mobile Game-Based Learning in Higher Education. In 15^th International Conference Social Computing and Social Media (SCSM) at 25^th Human Computer Interaction International Conference (HCII 2023), Copenhagen, Denmark, 23-28 July, 2023. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
• Piki, A. and Brzezinska, M. (2023). Teaching and Learning in the New Normal: Responding to Students’ and Academics’ Multifaceted Needs. In 15^th International Conference Social Computing and Social Media (SCSM) at 25^th Human Computer Interaction International Conference (HCII 2023), Copenhagen, Denmark, 23-28 July, 2023. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
• Procopiou, A., Piki, A., Stavrou, E., and Zeniou, N. (2023). Free Guy or Bad Guy: Safety, Privacy, and Security Risks for Minors in the Metaverse and Prominent Educational Considerations. In 5^th International Conference on HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust (HCI-CPT) held at 25^th Human Computer Interaction International Conference (HCII 2023), Copenhagen, Denmark, 23-28 July, 2023. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

• Lendzhova, V., Piki, A., Markou, M., Milenkova, V., Manov, B. (2023). Affordances and Constraints of Game-Based Learning for Learners with Disabilities: Perspectives from Educators in Bulgaria and Cyprus. In Proceedings of the 19^th International Scientific Conference eLearning and Software for Education (eLSE 2023), Bucharest, Romania, 27-28 April 2023.

• Piki, A., Nisiotis, L., and Alboul, L. (2022). A Preliminary Exploration of the Learning and Engagement Potential of an Intelligent Virtual Environment. In 2022 IEEE 2^nd International Conference on Intelligent Reality (ICIR 2022), 14-16 December. IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIR55739.2022.00021.
• Stefan, I.A., Gheorghe, A.F., Stefan, A., Piki, A., Tsalapatas, H. and Heidmann, O. (2022). Constructing Seamless Learning through Game-Based Learning Experiences. Proceedings of the 21^st World Conference on Mobile, Blended and Seamless Learning (mLearn 2022), Heerlen, Netherlands, 10-12 October, 2022.
• Paspallis, N., Kasenides, N. and Piki, A. (2022). A Software Architecture for Developing Distributed Games that Teach Coding and Algorithmic Thinking. IEEE Computers, Software, and Applications Conference (COMPSAC 2022), June 27-July 1, 2022.
• Piki, A. (2022). Re-imagining the Distributed Nature of Learner Engagement in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Contexts in the Post-pandemic Era. In: Meiselwitz, G. (eds) Social Computing and Social Media: Applications in Education and Commerce. HCII 2022 (June 26-July 1, 2022). Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), vol 13316. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05064-0_13.

• Piki, A., Andreou, L., and Markou, M (2022). Students’ Perspectives on the Emergency Transition to Online Education – A Case Study in Mathematics Education. The Proceedings of the 16^th annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED 2022), 7-8 March, 2022.

• Piki, A., Markou, M., Lendzhova, V., and Ștefan, I.A. (2022). Challenges in Piloting Gamified Learning Technology Towards Inclusive Education. The Proceedings of the 18^th International Scientific Conference eLearning and Software for Education (eLSE 2022), Bucharest, Romania, 12-13 May, 2022.

• Piki, A. (2020). An exploration of student experiences with social media and mobile technologies during emergency transition to remote education. The Proceedings of the 19^th World Conference on Mobile, Blended and Seamless Learning (mLearn 2020), November 2-4, 2020, Cairo, Egypt. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/218249. (Best Academic Paper Award).

• Piki, A., Stefan, I.A., Stefan, A., and Gheorghe, A.F. (2020). Mitigating the challenges of mobile games-based learning through gamified lesson paths. The Proceedings of the 19^th World Conference on Mobile, Blended and Seamless Learning (mLearn 2020), Cairo, Egypt, 2-4 November, 2020.

• Piki, A. (2017). Learner engagement in mobile computer-supported collaborative learning contexts: An integrative framework. The Proceedings of the 16^th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning (mLearn 2017), October 30-November 1, 2017, Larnaca, Cyprus. ACM.

• Piki, A., Markou, M., and Vasiliou, A. (2016). Learning Through Play: The Role of Learning and Engagement Theory in the Development of Educational Games for Intellectually Challenged Children. International Conference on Interactive Technologies and Games (iTAG 2016). IEEE Xplore Digital Library. (Best Academic Paper Award).
• Piki, A. (2014). Learner Engagement in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Activities: Natural or Nurtured? The Proceedings of International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCII 2014), Crete, Greece, 22-27 June, 2014.

Selective Conference and Seminar Presentations 

• 2024 – Dissemination Event during #ErasmusDays 2024 for Time2Act@SD Erasmus+ project. Presentation title: The role of Education and Educational Games Towards Raising Awareness and Achieving Behavioural Changes in relation to the SDGs.
• 2024 – Invited Presentation on ‘Academic Integrity in Higher Education’ during the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), hosted by the Erasmus Office, UCLan Cyprus.
• 2024 – Organising and delivering a training to Higher Education students across disciplines as part of British Council Skills Training Series. Workshop title: Embracing Soft Skills for Personal and Professional Success.
• 2024 – Presenter, Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) – Medium Career Researchers (MCR) Research Showcase, UCLan UK, Presented Time2Act@SD Erasmus+ project.
• 2023 – Invited Presentation at the Workshop ‘EdTech in practice: the past, the chat, the future’, held during the 19^th International Scientific Conference eLearning and Software for Education (eLSE 2023), Romania. Presentation title: Time to Act through Sustainable Experiences for Higher Education Students (Time2Act@SD): Aims, Objectives and Project Vision.
• 2023 – Presentation during #ErasmusDays 2023, Cyprus. Presentation title: Sustainable Futures – A Journey through the SDGs (Time2Act@SD).
• 2022 – Invited Keynote Speaker, Roundtable session: Women in Media and Tech: Past, Present and Future in ICEM, International Council for Educational Media Annual International Conference (ICEM_IC 2022), Portugal.
• 2022 – Invited Speaker, Yomega Talk Series (webinar). Presentation title: Teaching and Learning in the New Normal: Pedagogical Approaches Responding to Social and Emotional Needs.
• 2022 – Invited Presentation at ‘The Digital Learning Ecosystem – STEM Perspectives and Renewable Energy Best Practices Workshop’, held during the 20^th National Conference of New and Renewable Energy Sources (CNSNRE 2022), Piki, A., Markou, M., and Lendzhova, V. Presentation title: Hybrid Piloting Guidelines for Gamified Learning Technology.

Selective Research Funding/Grant Capture

• Erasmus+ KA220-HED – Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education (Erasmus+ 2022-1-PT01-KA220-HED-000087984). Title: TIME2ACT@SD – Time to Act through Sustainable Experiences for Higher Education Students. Roles: Principal Investigator, Quality Assurance Lead for UCLan Cyprus, Product Owner and Task Leader. Project amount: €250.000,00 (2022-2025).

• Erasmus+ EACEA/34/2019 – Social Inclusion and Common Values – Action: the contribution in the field of education and training (Erasmus+ 621547-EPP-1-2020-1-RO-EPPA3-IPI-SOC-IN). Title: INCLUDEME – Inclusive digital environments to enable high-quality education and training for disadvantaged learners. Work Package and Task Leader. Project amount: €443.559,00 (2021-2024).

Supervision of Projects/PhDs

PhD Supervision – Director of Studies (1^st Supervisor)

• C. I Working title: ‘Game-Oriented Learning for Cultivating Soft Skills in Secondary Education’ (Expected Completion Date: September 2027).
• C. M. Working title: ‘Deepfake Tech: A Holistic Exploration of Self-Efficacy Competencies in Educational Contexts’ (Expected Completion Date: September 2027).

Selective MSc/BSc Project Supervision

• I. T. (BSc, 2024) Design and Development of a game-based mobile application for raising awareness on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• D. A. (BSc, 2023) Embedding Development of Non-Technical Competencies into Computing Education: A Theoretical Framework.
• A. D. (MSc, 2022) Development of an educational game for raising Cybersecurity awareness.

Scholarships/Awards

• Best Academic Paper Award (2024), 2^nd Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development in Higher Education, Hasselt, Belgium.
• Best Academic Paper Award (2020), 19^th World Conference on Mobile, Blended and Seamless Learning (mLearn 2020), Cairo, Egypt.
• Best Academic Paper Award & Prize (2016), International Conference on Interactive Technologies and Games Conference (iTAG 2016), Nottingham, UK.
• Award & Prize for Best PhD Presentation (2010), STELLAR Network of Excellence.
• Award for PhD thesis in the field of Technology-Enhanced Learning (2010), STELLAR Doctoral Academy.
• Full Research Scholarship for undertaking Doctoral studies (2007 – 2010), Royal Holloway University of London, UK.

Other Scholarly and Outreach Activities

Scientific Program Committee / Technical Program Committee Member

• 7^th International Conference on HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust (HCI-CPT 2025), Sweden (Board Member).
• 16^th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2025), USA.
• IEEE International Symposium on Emerging Metaverse (IEEE ISEMV 2024), USA.
• 2^nd International Congress on 21^st Century Literacies (ICCL 2022), Portugal.
• 20^th National Conference of New and Renewable Energy Sources (CNSNRE 2022), Romania.
• International Council for Educational Media Annual International Conference (ICEM_IC 2022 and 2020), Portugal.
• Designing and facilitating Educational Location-based Applications (DELbA 2020), Germany.

Reviewer for Scientific Journals (Peer-Reviewed)

• International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction (IJHCI)
• Behaviour & Information Technology Journal
• MDPI Journals (Education Sciences, Sustainability, Applied Sciences)
• Innovations in Education and Teaching International Journal
• Studies in Higher Education Journal
• Interaction Design and Architectures Journal

Reviewer for Academic Conferences

• 27^th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCII 2025), Sweden.
• ACM Computer Human Interaction Conference (ACM CHI 2025), Japan.
• European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2025), Jordan.
• IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (IEEE EDUCON 2025), UK.
• European Conference on Information Systems Education Research (ECISER 2024), Cyprus (Associate Editor and Reviewer).
• 16^th International Conference on Social Robotics +AI (ICSR’24), Denmark.
• 11^th ACM Celebration of Women in Computing (womENcourage 2024), Spain.
• 4^th International Conference on Information Technology for Social Good (GoodIT 2024), Germany.
• 32^nd European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2024), Cyprus.
• 18^th European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning (EC-TEL 2023), Portugal.
• IEEE 2^nd International Conference on Intelligent Reality (ICIR 2022).
• 9^th ACM WomENcourage (2022), Cyprus.

Leadership roles

• Mentor and Evaluator, ‘Empowering Women in Computing (EWiC 24), hosted by ACM-W, Limassol, Cyprus.
• Invited Session Chair, 26^th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCII 2024), Washington DC, USA. Thematic Area: Upskilling with Social Computing, Game-Based Learning, Educational Robotics, and AI: Challenges and Opportunities. Affiliated conference: 16^th International Conference on Social Computing and Social Media (SCSM 2024).
• Publications Chair, IEEE 2^nd International Conference on Intelligent Reality (ICIR 2022).
• Posters Co-Chair, 9^th ACM Celebration of Women in Computing (womENcourage 2022), Cyprus.
• Web Chair, EAI International Conference on Game Theory for Networks (GameNets 2021), Cyprus.