- Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Environmental Psychology, Social Media, Intercultural Communication, and 11 moreCross-Cultural Psychology, Urban Studies, Community Development, Urban Design, Community Psychology, Organizational Development, Community Development & Conflict Resolution, Communication Skills, Creativity, Leadership, and Citizen participationedit
- I am a Bulgarian developmental and social psychologist, with interests in intercultural communication, environmental psychology, and community psychology. Since 2014 I am a Ph... moreI am a Bulgarian developmental and social psychologist, with interests in intercultural communication, environmental psychology, and community psychology.
Since 2014 I am a PhD student in Public administration at Sofia university. My research is focused on the development of citizens' participation process and improving citizens' capacity to impact politicians, decision-makers, and public administrators.
My specialties include:
- Developmental psychology;
- Social psychology;
- Psychodrama, Sociodrama, Sociometry, and Group psychotherapy;
- Environmental psychology;
- Intercultural differences;
- Mosaic approach, Children's inclusion & Children's participation;
- Workshop design;
- Social media, Writing & editing;
- Citizen participation;
- Public policy;
- Skills for impact.edit
The paper explores various aspects of ageism, and the importance of confronting its manifestations in modern society. Education for seniors is identified as an essential benefit for all ages and as a fundamental tool for overcoming... more
The paper explores various aspects of ageism, and the importance of confronting its manifestations in modern society. Education for seniors is identified as an essential benefit for all ages and as a fundamental tool for overcoming ageism. From this perspective, educational programs for the older generations can help them find a way to use their qualities, talents, and skills, and to find meaningful social roles. The author's view is that education can raise elderly citizens' awareness of their needs and rights, and might encourage their active participation in policy-making in all matters affecting them.
Research Interests:
Статията разглежда възможността за развитие на " Университет на третата възраст " в България. Авторът представя основните стретегически документи на страната, които имат пряка връзка с УТВ, и изследва феномена УТВ в световен мащаб.... more
Статията разглежда възможността за развитие на " Университет на третата възраст " в България. Авторът представя основните стретегически документи на страната, които имат пряка връзка с УТВ, и изследва феномена УТВ в световен мащаб. Накрая дискутира важните въпроси, които стоят пред реализацията на тази идея в България.
Ключови думи: учене през целия живот, образование за възрастни, университет на третата възраст, активно стареене, политики за възрастни
Abstract
The article explores the potential for development of " University of the third age " adult learning institutions in Bulgaria. The author presents the state's key strategic documents which are directly pertinent to UTA and researches the UTA phenomenon on a worldwide scale. Finally, he discusses the main questions which need to be considered in order to implement the UTA idea in Bulgaria.
Keywords: lifelong learning, adult education, university of the third age, active aging, policy on the elderly
Ключови думи: учене през целия живот, образование за възрастни, университет на третата възраст, активно стареене, политики за възрастни
Abstract
The article explores the potential for development of " University of the third age " adult learning institutions in Bulgaria. The author presents the state's key strategic documents which are directly pertinent to UTA and researches the UTA phenomenon on a worldwide scale. Finally, he discusses the main questions which need to be considered in order to implement the UTA idea in Bulgaria.
Keywords: lifelong learning, adult education, university of the third age, active aging, policy on the elderly
Research Interests:
Environment plays a critical role in the way people think, feel and behave. Children and adults are exposed to the influence of the surrounding symbols of cultural trends, social movements, and even political concepts. Playgrounds in... more
Environment plays a critical role in the way people think, feel and behave. Children and adults are exposed to the influence of the surrounding symbols of cultural trends, social movements, and even political concepts. Playgrounds in Bulgaria – the most visible children’s environments - are specific public spaces, which pass through a historical moment of change. The Communist time playgrounds give way to new, modern playground equipment. But what will come? Bulgarian society must increase its capacity to recognize and understand these processes, and to be able to provide successful environment-related interventions on local and national level. The workshop “Playgrounds, ideas and ideologies”, presented in this presentation, demonstrates one option for the successful inclusion of social agents with various roles, experience and perspectives in the process of designing children’s environment.
Research Interests:
The paper presents the theoretical and conceptual foundations of children's participation in decisions affecting their lives. The author sees children as competent agents who can make decisions and be involved in the creation and... more
The paper presents the theoretical and conceptual foundations of children's participation in decisions affecting their lives. The author sees children as competent agents who can make decisions and be involved in the creation and development of the children's environment. A pilot Bulgarian study for the application of a method for children's inquiry (Mosaic approach) in Haskovo is presented, and measures for development of children’s participation at the local and regional level are suggested.
Research Interests:
"We came up with the idea to research playgrounds in the autumn of 2011 while walking through the parks of Haskovo. We saw how quickly old playground constructions with which we grew up are being replaced – swings, climbing frames and... more
"We came up with the idea to research playgrounds in the autumn of 2011 while walking through the parks of Haskovo. We saw how quickly old playground constructions with which we grew up are being replaced – swings, climbing frames and slides. Then we learned that there is an ordinance on the terms and conditions for the structure and safety of зlaygrounds, published in the State Official Journal in 2009 and by the end of 2013, all owners must bring their play areas and facilities in accordance with its requirements. This involves the complete replacement of equipment and flooring. In Haskovo the process is already underway.
One crucial element in this scenario is missing: the users’ opinion – the parents and children. What do they want? Do the authors of legislation, local authorities, designers and manufacturers of playground equipment ask their users about them?"
One crucial element in this scenario is missing: the users’ opinion – the parents and children. What do they want? Do the authors of legislation, local authorities, designers and manufacturers of playground equipment ask their users about them?"
Research Interests:
"The aim of this paper is to introduce a new workshop design called "My Dream Playground" implemented under Izmir and Sofia Architecture Weeks in the year of 2012. The workshop is developed within a research project on ideological nature... more
"The aim of this paper is to introduce a new workshop design called "My Dream Playground" implemented under Izmir and Sofia Architecture Weeks in the year of 2012. The workshop is developed within a research project on ideological nature of playgrounds focusing on the transition case of Bulgaria where children play in both communistic and modern playground equipment. The workshop design is following the steps in which art- and design-oriented interactions between children and architects are stressed. Thus, the paper firstly discusses the theoretical background of the workshops, so-called Mosaic approach which gives a space to children’s role as members of the community and a freedom of expression while enhancing social relations with other children and with the architects. Secondly, it is debated how this significant workshop design, offering a special briefing on communications, helps architects and designers to enhance their communication skills with children and how they can fully benefit from children's imagination power in achieving their creative design work on playgrounds. Finally the outputs of the workshops are also presented and evaluated.
Keywords: Mosaic approach, participatory design, workshops, playgrounds, communication skills. "
Keywords: Mosaic approach, participatory design, workshops, playgrounds, communication skills. "
Research Interests:
"The article presents my personal experience in using toys, masks and drawings in the individual psychodrama (aka monodrama). My approach is eclectic and follows the “What works – use it” principle in the practice. The conclusion is,... more
"The article presents my personal experience in using toys, masks and drawings in the individual psychodrama (aka monodrama). My approach is eclectic and follows the “What works – use it” principle in the practice. The conclusion is, that it is possible that a big part from the psychodrama techniques (such as interview, role playing, role reversal, time regression, and future projection) could be applied in individual psychodrama session through the medium of accessories. The children often play with toys by giving them different phrases and replies in a dialogue. The toy has a role, given by the protagonist, who can then can project qualities, attitudes, feelings and thoughts on it. The masks and the dolls might be interviewed just as the group members are interviewed in the standard psychodrama. The drawings are a suitable replacement for the technique of sculpturing in psychodrama."