Prof. Theano Kokkinaki | Psychology | Women Researcher Award

University of Crete | Greece

Professor Theano Kokkinaki is a distinguished developmental psychologist whose pioneering research focuses on mother–infant and father–infant interaction, intersubjectivity, emotion, and imitation in early development. Her work integrates micro-analysis of spontaneous interactions, cross-cultural studies, and neuroscientific approaches to understanding emotional coordination and social communication in infancy. She has authored and co-authored numerous influential publications in high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Psychology, European Journal of Developmental Psychology, Infant and Child Development, and Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology. Her seminal studies on infant imitation, emotional coordination, and vocal communication are widely cited internationally, reflecting her major contribution to developmental and intersubjective psychology. Professor Kokkinaki leads and participates in multiple national and international research projects funded by the European Union (Horizon Europe, Next Generation EU) and the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation, focusing on topics such as premature infant development, autonomic nervous system maturation, and psychosocial factors in early growth. Her research impact is recognized through extensive citations, invitations as a guest editor and reviewer for leading psychology and pediatric journals, and awards from organizations including the Society of Cretan Scientists and the Lego Foundation. As a guest associate editor for Frontiers in Psychology and editorial board member for over ten international journals, she contributes to the global advancement of developmental and behavioral science. Her innovative findings on early emotional communication and intersubjectivity continue to shape research, theory, and practice in developmental psychology worldwide. According to her Google Scholar profile, Professor Kokkinaki has published extensively, with 1,266 total citations, an h-index of 16, and an i10-index of 23, underscoring her significant scholarly influence and lasting contribution to the field.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

• Trevarthen, C., Kokkinaki, T., & Fiamenghi, G. A. Jr. (1999). What infants’ imitations communicate: With mothers, with fathers and with peers. Cambridge University Press.

• Kokkinaki, T., & Kugiumutzakis, G. (2000). Basic aspects of vocal imitation in infant-parent interaction during the first 6 months. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 18(3), 173–187.

• Kugiumutzakis, G., Kokkinaki, T., Makrodimitraki, M., & Vitalaki, E. (2005). Emotions in early mimesis. In Emotional Development (pp. 161–182).

• Keller, H., Papaligoura, Z., Künsemueller, P., Völker, S., Papaeliou, C., Lohaus, A., & Kokkinaki, T. (2003). Concepts of mother-infant interaction in Greece and Germany. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 34(6), 677–689.

• Kokkinaki, T., & Vasdekis, V. G. S. (2015). Comparing emotional coordination in early spontaneous mother–infant and father–infant interactions. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 12(1), 69–84