Research Centre of Environmental Communication and Education

The Environmental Education and Communication Research Centre was officially instituted on October 18, 2000 , PD No. 283 in Government Gazette 234 / v. A ‘/ 31.10.2000 , with Director Professor Constantina Skanavis .

The Environmental Education and Communication Research Centre, serves research and educational purposes of the single field of subjects of Environmental Education, Environmental Communication and Interpretation.

In particular, the purpose of the research Centre is to cover under-graduate and postgraduate teaching needs at the Department of the Environment, and other Departments of the University of the Aegean, while promoting research of the theoretical framework and applications in Environmental Education, Communication and Interpretation through interdisciplinary approach. Consequently, research programs that are addressing issues related to the specialist fields of the Centre , such as evaluation, comparison and monitoring of the characteristics and environmental profile (environmental awareness , knowledge, attitude, behavior , action, participation) of the Greeks and generally Europeans citizens are implemented.

Our goal is, once the precise environmental identity and profile of mainly Greek and European citizens is clarified, the to design and implement environmental communication, education and interpretation programs. These programs are implemented in the formal educational system (formal environmental education), at population groups not covered by the formal education (non – formal environmental education including environmental interpretation) and in general in all population groups as recipients of environmental information, as recipients of environmental information through lifelong learning processes based on everyday experience and educational influences of their environment (informal environmental education ) with ultimate goal to strengthen environmentally responsible behavior of citizens.

In light of the above and relying on the logic that the main purpose of environmental education is the remodeling of human behavior, the objectives of our Centre are:

  • the study of the environmental behavior of learners and trainers employed: (a) the formal environmental education (primary, secondary and higher education), (b) non-formal environmental education ( environmental education centers, zoological and/or botanical gardens, museums , protected areas , eco-tourism areas) and (c) the informal environmental education (media , cinema)
  • to use and implement social models of development of environmentally responsible behavior before, after and during the course of environmental communication and especially environmental education and interpretation programs
  • to promote and apply variables/indicators that define, influence and explain the process of environmental awareness and the disposition and participation skills of citizens in environmental decision-making process, thus playing an important role in achieving sustainable management of the environment
  • the production of educational material in order to support, the relevant to the subjects of the Centre, Department courses
  • design and development of training materials and environmental education programs adapted to the needs of specific groups of people (eg students , the disabled , teachers, farmers, tourists , journalists)
  • the promotion of environmental communication and interpretation, as tools for environmental awareness and participation of citizens by encouraging them to take initiatives of action, contributing in this way substantially to the sustainable conservation efforts , and environmental management
  • support and development of training organizations for environmental educators and interpreters employed in national parks and protected areas management entities , museums, non-governmental organizations contributing this way to their education and thereby increasing the environmental awareness of visitors and/or eco-tourists
  • cooperation with other teachers , government and private institutions for the promotion of environmental education objectives. In particular, in the context of lifelong learning, our goal is to develop educational/training programs, and propose better handling and promoting of environmental information, in line with the needs of each operator


In conclusion, the complexity of environmental problems and the seriousness of environmental issues require active citizens with necessary skills and competencies to participate effectively in environmental decision making. The “Research Centre of Environmental Education and Communication” is engaged in research, promotion and support of activities which develop environmentally responsible citizens.