Academic Profile

Varvara Garneli holds a PhD in Computer Science from the Department of Informatics, Ionian University. Her doctoral research focused on students’ computational thinking development through the design and programming of digital games with physics content—a game-making approach that combines coding, creativity, and conceptual understanding. She also holds an MSc in Informatics and Humanities, a BSc in Informatics, and a degree in Pedagogical Studies.

Her academic and research interests lie at the intersection of game design, multimedia applications, and interactive systems. She focuses on game design methodologies for purposes beyond entertainment—such as education and cultural engagement—and explores how content from diverse domains can be meaningfully integrated into game environments. She also has a strong interest in the design and implementation of original augmented and virtual reality game-based systems within the metaverse, tailored to the interaction needs of specific user groups. Her work spans cultural and educational applications of games and multiplayer games, as reflected in her publications and research profile: Google Scholar. Finally, she has participated in projects related to games, gamification, and learning within game-based environments

She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses on multimedia applications, interactive audio-visual systems, game design and development, and gamification. She has also contributed to research initiatives involving serious games, role-playing game design, and online learning environments.

Selected Interests & Research Areas