Konstantinos Alexakos

Education:

Ph.D., Teachers College, Columbia University - 2005 (Science Education)

M.Phil., Columbia University - 2004 (Science Education)

M.A., New York University - 2000 (Education in Physics and General Science)

B.S., The City College of New York - CUNY - 1989 (Physics)

Areas of Expertise:

Critical, reflexive, sociocultural research with a focus on emotions and wellness in teaching and learning, including teachers as researchers, emotional bonds and fictive kinships, coteaching, radical listening, cogenerative dialogues and emotional climate with the goals of improving teaching and learning, personal and global well-being and sustainability and creating "safe" spaces for discussing challenging topics and valuing and learning from difference.

Books and Publications

Alexakos, K. (2022). Conscious spaces and self: Boundaries, core, me not me, and being in the heart. In K. Tobin & K. Alexakos (Eds.), Transforming learning and teaching: Heuristics for educative and responsible practices (pp. 362-381). Brill. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004507609_018
(Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2022

Tobin, K. & Alexakos, K. (Eds). (2022). Contemplative practices for sustaining wellness: priorities for research and education. Brill. (Books and Publications: Book (Edited)) 2022

Tobin, K. & Alexakos, K. (Eds). (2022). Transforming learning and teaching: Heuristics for educative and responsible practices. Leiden, NL: Brill | Sense Publishing. (Books and Publications: Book (Edited)) 2022

Tobin, K., & Alexakos, K. (2022). Expanding the horizons of cogenerative dialogue. In K. Tobin & K. Alexakos (Eds.), Transforming learning and teaching: Heuristics for educative and responsible practices (pp. 39-66). Brill. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004507609_003
(Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2022

Tobin, K., & Alexakos, K. (2022). Heuristics for contemplative activities. In K. Tobin & K. Alexakos (Eds.), Transforming learning and teaching: Heuristics for educative and responsible practices ((pp. 382-403). Brill. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004507609_019 (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2022

Tobin, K., & Alexakos, K. (2022). Using heuristics to enhance the quality of cultural production. In K. Tobin & K. Alexakos (Eds.), Transforming learning and teaching: Heuristics for educative and responsible practices (pp. 1-17). Brill. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004507609_001
(Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2022

Tobin, K., Alexakos, K., & Powietrzynska, M. (2022). Coteaching: Then, now, and in future. In K. Tobin & K. Alexakos (Eds.), Transforming learning and teaching: Heuristics for educative and responsible practices (pp. 18-38). Brill. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004507609_002
(Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2022

Tobin, K. & Alexakos, K. (2021). Doing authentic inquiry. In K. Tobin, & K. Alexakos, (Eds). Doing authentic inquiry to improve learning and teaching (pp. 21-42). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill | Sense. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2021

Tobin, K. & Alexakos, K. (2021). Improving learning and teaching through authentic inquiry research: An Overview. In K. Tobin, & K. Alexakos, (Eds). Doing authentic inquiry to improve learning and teaching (pp. 1-19). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill | Sense. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2021

Tobin, K. & Alexakos, K. (2021). Purposeful research for transformation and the greater good. In K. Tobin, & K. Alexakos, (Eds). Doing authentic inquiry to improve learning and teaching (pp. 371-389). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill | Sense. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2021

Tobin, K. & Alexakos, K. (Eds). (2021). Doing authentic inquiry to improve learning and teaching. Leiden, NL: Brill | Sense Publishing. DOI: 10.1163/9789004446885 (Books and Publications: Book (Edited)) 2021

Tobin, K., & Alexakos, K. (2021). Global challenges need attention now: educating humanity for wellness and sustainability. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 16(3), 651-673. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-021-10080-6 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2021

Alexakos, K. (2017). Mindfulness and sexual wellness: A (critical) personal narrative. In M. Powietrzynska & K. Tobin (Eds.), Weaving complementary knowledge systems and mindfulness to educate a literate citizenry for sustainable and healthy lives (pp. 215-234). Boston: Sense Publishers. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2017

Tobin, K., Alexakos, K., Malyukova, A., & Gangji, A.-K. H. (2017). Jin Shin Jyutsu and ameliorating emotion, enhancing mindfulness, and sustaining productive learning environments. In A. Bellocchi, C. Quigley & K. Otrel-Cass (Eds.), Exploring emotions, aesthetics and wellbeing in science education research (pp. 221-247). Cham: Springer International Publishing. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2017

Alexakos, K., Pride, L. D., Amat, A., Tsetsakos, P., Lee, K. J., Paylor-Smith, C., Zapata, C., Wright, S., & Smith, T. (2016). Mindfulness and discussing "thorny" issues in the classroom. Cultural Studies of Science Education. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016

Amat, A., Zapata, C., Alexakos, K., Pride, L. D., Paylor-Smith, C., & Hernandez, M. (2016). Incorporating oximeter analyses to investigate synchronies in heart rate while teaching and learning about race. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 11(3), 785-801. doi: 10.1007/s11422-016-9767-z (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016

Tobin, K., Alexakos, K., Malyukova, A., & Gangji, A.-K. H. (in press). Jin Shin Jyutsu and ameliorating emotion, enhancing mindfulness, and sustaining productive learning environments. In A. Bellocchi, K. Otrel-¬Cass, & C. Quigley (Eds). Beyond cognition in science education. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2016

Alexakos, K. (2015). Being a science educator | researcher: a personal narrative from a sociocultural perspective. In Milne, C., Tobin, K., & deGennaro D. (Eds). Sociocultural studies and implications for science education. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2015

Alexakos, K. (2015). Being a Teacher | Researcher: A Primer on Doing Authentic Inquiry Research on Teaching and Learning. Rotterdam, NL: Sense Publishing. (Books and Publications: Book (Authored)) 2015

Powietrzynska, M., K. Tobin, and K. Alexakos. "Facing the Grand Challenges Through Heuristics and Mindfulness." Cultural Studies of Science Education 10.1: 65-81. doi: 10.1007/s11422-014-9588-x. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2015

Tobin, K., Powietrzynska, M., & Alexakos, K. (2015). Mindfulness and wellness: Central components of a science of learning. Innovación Educativa , 15(67), 61-87. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2015

Alexakos, K. (2014). Foreword. In Hernandez, M. S. Breaking the Silence: My Final Forty Days as a Public School Teacher. Minneapolis, MN: Hillcrest Publishing Group. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2014

Alexakos, K. and A. Pierwola. "Learning at the 'Boundaries': Radical Listening, Creationism, and Learning From the 'Other.'" Cultural Studies of Science Education 8.1: 39-49. doi: 10.1007/s11422-012-9470-7. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2013

Alexakos, K., J. Jones and V. Rodriguez. "Fictive Kinship as It Mediates Learning, Resiliency, Perseverance, and Social Learning of Inner-city High School Students of Color in a College Physics Class." Cultural Studies of Science Education 6.4: 847-70. doi: 10.1007/s11422-011-9317-7. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2011

"Religion, Nature, Science Education and the Epistemology of Dialectics." Cultural Studies of Science Education 5.1: 237-42. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010

"Teaching the Practice of Science: Unteaching the 'Scientific Method." Science Scope 33.9: 74-79. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010

"Science and Creationism: A Response to Kenneth Tobin." Cultural Studies of Science Education 4.2: 495-504. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2009

"Dialectics and the Organic Link as a Tool of Analysis." Cultural Studies of Science Education 2 4: 918-21. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2007

"The Science Teacher as the Organic Link." Cultural Studies of Science Education 2.4: 883-905. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2007

Alexakos, K. and W. Antoine. "The Islamic Golden Age and Science Teaching." The Science Teacher 72.3: 36-39. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2005

Alexakos, K. and W. Antoine. "The Gender Gap in Science Education. The Science Teacher 70.3: 30-33. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2003

"Inclusive Classrooms: A Multicultural Look at the National Science Education Standards." The Science Teacher 68.3: 40-43. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2001

Awards, Honors and Fellowships

Brooklyn College Student Technology Fee Award, for "Science Lab Probes." $12,000. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

PSC-CUNY Research Award (PSCREG-38-335), for "Self and Science Teacher Attrition." $6,000; 2007-08. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

PSC-CUNY Research Award (PSCOOC-37-30), for "The Science Teacher, Subjective Constructs of Science Teaching, and the 'Organic Link.'" $5,990; 2006-07. (Grants and Fellowships) 2006

Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums

Alexakos, K. (April 2019). Sexuality: Intimacy and wellness. Invited presentation at the Brooklyn College Graduate Center for Worker Education, Go Africa Health Expo 2019 -@CUNY; New York, NY. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019

Alexakos, K. (February 2019). Doing Authentic Inquiry Research as a Teacher | Researcher. Invited key note speech at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley STEM Education Consortium 2nd Annual STEM Education Conference McAllen, Texas. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019

Alexakos, K. (October 2019). Supporting your health, wellness and healthy sexuality. Invited presentation at the Brooklyn College Graduate Center for Worker Education, Healthy Sexuality Workshop; New York, NY. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019

Alexakos, K. (May, 2018). Breath, attention, intention and the use of "Energy" in classrooms and in everyday life. Invited presentation at the Urban Science Education Research Seminar, The Graduate Center, CUNY; New York, NY. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018

Alexakos, K. (November 2018). Boundaries as a dialectical framework in researching emotions and wellness. Invited panel presentation at the Urban Science Education Research Seminar, The Graduate Center, CUNY; New York, NY. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018

Alexakos, K. with Anastasia Romanou, Eliana Antoniou, Pannie Trifillis, Stella Kafka, Stella Lymberis, Vassiliki Karantza (February 2018). Inspiring Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Invited panel presentation by the Association of Greek American Professional Women (AGAPW). (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018

Alexakos, K. with Shequana Wright-Chung (September 2018). Knowing ourselves: Reflexive views on wellness. Invited panel presentation at the Urban Science Education Research Seminar, The Graduate Center, CUNY; New York, NY. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018

Alexakos, K. (August 2016). Knowing and Leveraging the Strengths of Diverse Populations in the Physics Classroom. Invited presentation as part of a panel at the 2016 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Summer Meeting sponsored by the AAPT Committee on Diversity and the Research in Physics Education. Sacramento, CA. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016

Alexakos, K. and Leah Pride, with Felicia Moore Mensah, Eileen R. Parsons, Leon Walls and Jomo Mutegi (April 2016). A Mini-Course on Race/Racism and Critical Race Theory for Application in Science Education Research. Symposium, 2016 National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Annual International Conference; Baltimore, MD. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2016

Alexakos, K. with Leah Pride, Cristobal Carambo, and Victor Rodriguez. (September 2016). Race, social justice, and education in the learning sciences: Educating citizens for life in turbulent times. Invited panel presentation at the Urban Science Education Research Seminar, The Graduate Center, CUNY; New York, NY. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016

Alexakos, K. (2015, April). Reflective Practices and Challenges in Being a Teacher-Researcher. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching; Chicago, IL. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2015

Alexakos, K. (2015, June). Doing authentic teacher-research inquiry. Paper presented at the annual meeting of The Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CATE/ACFE), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2015

Alexakos, K., M. Powietrzynska, L. Pride and S. Wright. "Using Mindfulness and Heuristics to Improve Educational Practices, Wellness, and Emotional Climates in Teaching and Learning" workshop. Middle College National Consortium Summer Professional Development Institute. June. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015

Pride, L., K. Alexakos, P. Tsetsakos and K.J. Lee. "Mindfulness and Discussing 'Thorny' Issues in the Classroom" panel. Urban Science Education Research Seminar. The Graduate Center, CUNY. New York, May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015

Alexakos, K. (2014, April). Doing Inquiry-oriented Research as a Teacher-Researcher. Paper presented at the National Science Teachers Association National Conference on Science Education; Boston, MA. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2014

Alexakos, K. (2014, May). Methodological approaches, authenticity criteria and challenges in being a teacher-researcher. Paper presented at the annual meeting of The Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CATE/ACFE), Brock University; St. Catharines, ON, Canada. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2014

Alexakos, K., K. Tobin and M. Powietrzynska. "Multi-level Research on Emotions and Mindfulness in Science and Science Education." Annual Meeting of the 2014 Northeast Region Association for Science Teacher Education (NE-ASTE). Teachers College, Columbia University. New York, October. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2014

Alexakos, K., M. Powietrzynska and K. Tobin. "Promoting Mindful and Healthy Environments for Learning." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, December. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

Alexakos, K., O. Calderón, A. Poole, M. Powietrzynska and K. Tobin. "Teachers as Researchers, Mindfulness in Education, and Using Heuristics" interactive panel. Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

Alexakos, K., P. Procia and K. Tobin. "Researching Self-help Wellness Packages." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, October. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

Calderón, O. and K. Alexakos. "Collaborative Research During and Beyond Graduate School." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, March. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

Tobin, K. and K. Alexakos. "Fostering Mindfulness to Promote and Maintain Wellness While Teaching and Learning." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, October. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

"Being a Science Educator / Researcher." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, March. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013

Alexakos, K. and J.K. Jones. "Laughter as It Mediates Learning, Support, Coping, Motivation, Friendly Competition, and Kinship Among Minority Students in a Physics Classroom." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, March. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013

Alexakos, K. and K. Tobin K. "Multi-level Research on Emotions in Science Education." Part of a symposium on Exploring Emotions and Mindfulness in a College Science Education Class. Annual meeting of the Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CATE/ACFE), University of Victoria. Victoria, British Columbia, June. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2013

Alexakos, K., A. Tabrizi, D. Gunaydin and A. Pierwola. "Emotions and Mindfulness as They Mediate Radical Listening, Coteaching and Sense of Community in a Classroom of Science Educators" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2013

Alexakos, K. and K. Tobin. "Coteaching in a Graduate Class at Brooklyn College." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

Alexakos, K., R. Llena and M. Powietrzynska. "Interventions to Improve Teaching and Learning." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, February. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

Rodriguez, V.H., K. Alexakos and K. Tobin. "Physiological Expression of Emotions: Methods, Practices, and Frameworks." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Fictive Kinship Among Students as It Influences the Creation of 'Safe Spaces' in a Physics Classroom." Theoretical and Empirical Analyses of Social Capital and Networking in Science Education: From Global to Local Symposium, annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Orlando, Fla., April. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

Alexakos, K. and K. Tobin. "Multilevel Research on Emotions and the Teaching and Learning of Science, Mathematics, and the Learning Sciences Education." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, October. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

Alexakos, K. and S. Bholai. "Mutual Focus and Physics Learning Mediated by Shared Positive Emotional Interactions." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, February. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"Science Teacher Education and the Development of a New MAT Program at Brooklyn College." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center. New York, February. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2010

Alexakos, K., Victor H. Rodriguez and J.K. Jones. "Laughter, Perseverance, and Kinship among Minority Students in a Physics Classroom." Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Philadelphia, March. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2010

Alexakos, K. and J.K. Jones. "Fictive Kinship as It Affects Resiliency and Perseverance of Inner-City High School Students in a College Physics Lab." Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Garden Grove, Calif., April. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2009

Alexakos, K., J.K. Jones and Victor H. Rodriguez. "Close Emotional Bonds, Coping, Perseverance, and Role Models." Urban Science Education Research Seminar. CUNY Graduate Center, New York, December. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2009

Alexakos, K. and J.K. Jones. "Dynamics of Successful Student Kinship Groups in a College Physics Class of Inner City High School Students." Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Baltimore. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008

"Science Teacher Adaptation and Marginalization." Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. New Orleans. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007

"Science Teacher Identity Construction and Marginalization." National Convention of the National Science Teachers Association. Anaheim, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006

"Science Teacher Identity Construction and Marginalization." National Convention of the National Science Teachers Association. Anaheim, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006

"Teacher Education and the Subjective Aspects of Science Teachers." New Educator Conference: Building and Sustaining Learning Communities in Challenging Times. City College of New York (CUNY), New York. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006

"The Science Teacher as the Organic Link in Science Learning," Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching. San Francisco. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006

"The Science Teacher as the Organic Link in Science Education." National Science Teachers Association Regional Convention. Hartford, Conn. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2005

Other Professional Activities

Prepared NCATE review reports for the undergraduate and graduate adolescence science education programs at Brooklyn College. 2007-present. 2010

Developed new master of arts in teaching (MAT) in science education that infuses research and practice in science teaching in an urban setting. First cohort, September. 2009

Studied at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador, as part of an initiative for science educators from Boston University. January. 2009

Judge, Annual Science Research Day, Brooklyn College. 2006

Participant, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science GK12 Teaching Fellows Project, March 2002-February 2003. 2003

Participant, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science GK12 Teaching Fellows Project. March 2002-February 2003. 2002

Participant, Physics by Inquiry - 2002 Summer Institute in Physics. Center for Physics Education, University of Washington at Seattle. 2002