Aikaterini - Konstantina Kontopanagou

Aikaterini - Konstantina (Katerina) Chr. Kontopanagou is a native of Patras and graduated from Arsakeio School of Patras. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism at the Ionian University. She studied Archaeology at the Department of History and Archaeology of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Ioannina. Her postgraduate studies focused on Byzantine iconography, and her doctoral thesis comprehensively explored the evolution of painting in the final phase of the post-Byzantine period, as well as the cultural creativity at monuments situated in remote areas during the 18th century. She was a lecturer in the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of Ioannina, teaching subjects in Archaeology and Art (2011-2020,) and at the Ionian University, teaching Museology and Cultural Heritage Management (2020-2023). She also teaches at the Hellenic Open University in the Study Program “Greek Culture” (2017-).

She held a Scientific Associate position in the Ionian Islands Region. Also, she was in Greek Language Education as a Foreign Language to Adults at the Center for the Study of Hellenic Language and Culture (HeLaS) at the University of Ioannina (2009-2019). 

Her significant experience implementing research programs in collaboration with universities and other scientific bodies is a testament to her expertise and dedication (2006-). Among her research interests are Byzantine and post-Byzantine painting, social and economic development in Venetian-controlled and Ottoman-administered areas, the role of sponsors and local communities in cultural development, the use of new technologies in historical and archaeological data, sustainable cultural tourism, and the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism development.