Personal statement

Nancy Bakopoulou leads the BA (Hons) Interior Design program with a vision to transform traditional teaching methods into dynamic, student-centered learning experiences. Her role as Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer is characterized by a thorough curriculum overhaul, strategic planning of structured learning modules, and the implementation of refined assessment practices that elevate student achievement. Her commitment to academic excellence is evident in every redesign of course materials and her proactive mentoring of both colleagues and students. She has recently redesigned the BA(Hons) Interior Design programme, to reflect the university's values and current industry benchmarks.

Currently pursuing a PhD, Nancy holds an MDes in Interior Architecture and is recognized as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her career spans over two decades, during which she has not only taught and mentored undergraduate and postgraduate students across various institutions but also led significant curriculum redesigns to enhance creativity, sustainability, and critical thinking.

As a practitioner holding the roles of creative architect and creative director, Nancy has worked in a plethora of large-scale projects, ranging from logistics centres, showrooms, offices, hotels, marinas, residential complexes and many more. She is also the founder of 4Design Studio an architectural and interior design consultancy for the Greek market.

She has participated in global seminars and academic conferences, in Europe and Asia reflecting an ongoing commitment to both personal and professional growth and has designed, developed and facilitated exhibition participation for two architectural firms.

Academic qualifications

  • PhD Candidate, University of the Aegean, Department Environment
  • SEDA accredited Post Graduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education, Staffordshire University
  • MDes in Interior Architecture, Edinburgh Napier University
  • BA (Hons) Industrial Design, University of Teesside.

Professional memberships

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

External roles

  • External Examiner for Middlesex University
  • Review Assessor for the collaborative programmes of BA (Hons) Interior Architecture, and BA (Hons) Product Design & Innovation for AKTO Art and Design College Greece.

You can contact me about:

  • Information about the course
  • Portfolio
  • References
  • Mentoring.

Research

As a PhD candidate, Nancy is currently investigating the application of biophilic design in higher education environments, focusing on its effects on student wellbeing and productivity.

In 2013, as part of her PGCHPE research, she introduced the use of Skype as an online teaching tool—delivering interior design classes and mentoring students long before digital platforms became the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nancy is deeply interested in the perception of spaces and 'non-spaces,' influenced by the ideas presented in the works of J. Pallasmaa, M. Merleau-Ponty, and M. Augé.