We are delighted and proud to announce that two members of the academic staff at the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) have been selected to participate in the pioneering Third-Places Fellowships program. This initiative is being implemented within the framework of the EMERGE (Empowering the Margins of Europe through Regional and Global Engagement) European University Alliance.

The EMERGE Alliance focuses on fostering social inclusion, resilience, multilingualism, cultural diversity, and sustainable development across Europe’s regional peripheries. As part of Work Package 6 (WP6: Research and Transference), the Third-Places Fellowships offer researchers the opportunity to conduct targeted research exchanges and knowledge transfer in collaboration with external stakeholders and regional entities. This modern approach effectively bridges academic research with societal needs.

We introduce our two selected DUTH professors and the innovative research projects they will be advancing:

1. Dimitris Goulimaris

Professor, Department of Physical Education & Sport Science – DUTH

  • Research Title: «The relationship between body image and body appreciation among traditional dance dancers, with a particular focus on the correlation with eating disorders»
  • Project Overview: Despite the widely positive perception of traditional dance as a cultural and wellness activity, we do not know the relationship between body image and body appreciation of adult dancers and eating disorders. The objective of the study is to explore the body image and body appreciation among traditional dance dancers and to establish the correlation with their eating disorders. The research sample will comprise 100 adults who systematically participate in organised traditional dance activities in Cyprus for a minimum period of one year. The measuring instruments are: 1) The following three subscales of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ – Appearance Evaluation, Appearance Orientation & Overweight Preoccupation), 2) the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) and 3) the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) – Drive for Thinness.
  • Significance of the Research: The research is timely and multidimensional in nature, as it establishes a link between issues of health, culture and social norms:
    1. Eating disorders are a major public health problem, with increasing trends. Prevention and early intervention are critical.
    2. Body norms are influenced by social media and cultural pressure to look a certain way. This makes body image a key psychosocial issue.
    3. The majority of research focuses on classical or contemporary dancers, where body norms are stricter. In contrast, traditional dance is considered more “inclusive,” but without sufficient scientific data.
    4. It connects traditional dance as an element of cultural identity with mental and physical health.
    5. The results of the research can be utilized by dance instructors, cultural clubs, health professionals.

2. Asimakis Fliatouras

Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities – DUTH

  • Research Title: «This research examines speakers’ attitudes toward the use and teaching of regional dialects, focusing on a comparative perspective between Greek dialects in Greece and Slovak dialects in Slovakia»
  • Project Overview: The proposed research examines speakers’ attitudes toward the use and teaching of regional dialects, focusing on a comparative perspective between Greek dialects in Greece and Slovak dialects in Slovakia. In many European contexts, dialects are gradually declining due to standardization, urbanization, and the dominance of standard language varieties in education and public life. Despite their cultural and linguistic value, dialects are often marginalized within formal educational systems.
  • Significance & Objectives: The central objective of this project is to investigate similarities and differences in how speakers perceive the importance, social value, and educational role of dialects in the two countries. Particular emphasis will be placed on the Thracian Greek dialectal varieties, which represent an important yet under-researched component of Greece’s linguistic heritage. Through a comparative analysis of language attitudes, the project will explore how dialects relate to issues of social inclusion, community engagement, and cultural sustainability. By identifying convergences and divergences between the Greek and Slovak contexts, the research aims to contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable strategies for addressing dialect decline and for integrating dialect awareness into educational practices. Ultimately, the project seeks to support more inclusive language policies and promote the preservation of Europe’s linguistic diversity. Also, the findings of the research can be utilized by various educational institutions (IEP, curricula, etc.).

Democritus University of Thrace, steadfast in its vision of academic excellence and international outreach, continues to play a leading role in European educational developments through the EMERGE Alliance. We extend our warmest congratulations to both of our professors and wish them every success in their research endeavors!

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!