Lecturer in Gerontology, University of Southampton
I am calm, confident, and analytical. My drive to create order and structure from abstract theory comes naturally to me. My ability to absorb complex material makes me invaluable to anyone looking to create or improve a strategy or system. I trust my insights and intuition implicitly, and I value my own opinions. I have a high level of concentration and excel at using my forward-thinking perspective to identify the implications and benefits of implementing my ideas. I am a ‘big picture’ thinker with natural leadership abilities, but I am also comfortable following someone I respect. I am a wellspring of creative ideas, and I feel most energised when I am acquiring knowledge and mastering new skills.
YEARS OF MY EXPERIENCE
I have two decades of professional experience, combining practical skills (competitive, dynamic, targeted, and results-oriented) with humanistic skills (supportive, patient, and focused on relationships). This blend stems from my involvement in various technical and theoretical fields. People say that I can succeed in nearly any occupation I choose, provided it doesn’t involve too much monotonous routine, as I tend to become restless in such environments. I think that I excel in contributing to innovative projects that challenge my ingenuity and in using my ability to identify possibilities and analyse them to solve problems logically. Clearly, any project that offers opportunities for learning and allows me to express my creativity is particularly worthwhile. The ideal job for me would provide independence, diversity, ample intellectual stimulation, and the chance to generate new ideas and make a difference to people's lives.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it”.
This quote has always inspired me to pursue my passions and persevere in achieving long-term goals.
I was born in a village in Chalkidiki, Greece, in 1982. My happy childhood with my six-member family had a positive influence on my life. From as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a psychologist. I was fascinated by human behaviour and interaction, and I had a strong ability to empathise with others. I wanted to show them that there is light at the end of every tunnel and that there are always at least two solutions to any challenge we face.
After graduating from high school, having been an excellent student throughout my education with a plethora of university options, I chose the Hellenic Air Force NCO Academy as my first choice in the national higher education entry examinations. I planned to complete my dream studies in psychology while becoming financially independent from my family. And that’s exactly what I did! After finishing my studies at the Hellenic Air Force NCO Academy, I completed all the studies I had dreamed of as a child, including a BSc and an MSc, while working for 18 years in a physically and mentally demanding military environment. I started as a member of the technical staff, followed by a career in research and analysis as a Senior Research Psychologist.
The fully funded PhD Studentship I was awarded in 2018 by the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre provided me with a life-changing opportunity to pursue my studies at PhD level at the University of Manchester. After a decade of world-class research focused on social epidemiology and public health, I joined the University of Southampton in 2023 as a Lecturer in Gerontology, a fast-moving field focusing on the mechanisms behind the ageing process and how we might influence this process to promote healthier and longer lives. Having a passion for research that improves the lives of people with hearing loss I am now developing my research group; the Hearing and Ageing Research (HEAR) Group, in the Centre for Research on Ageing.
Thus, committed to contributing to society, I have finally become part of the academic environment I have always aspired to be in, guided by the inspirational phrase:
“Success means having the courage, the determination and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be”.
Dimi Kassari
Program Manager at WBECS & Peak Performance Coach