Dr. Stefanos Alevizos, PhD, M.Ed.

Dr. Stefanos Alevizos is a child protection psychologist and postdoctoral researcher with more than fifteen years of professional experience in the field of child protection. He currently works at IASIS NGO, where he contributes to the development of child protection, mental health, and social support initiatives. His PhD research focuses on the removal of children from their families due to abuse and the psychological impact of this process on children. Through qualitative research with adult survivors, his work highlights that removal, even when necessary for protection, can itself become a traumatic experience if it is not carried out through child-centred and trauma-informed practices. Since 2006, he has worked in frontline services, coordination roles, and advisory positions within child protection organisations and national support systems for children at risk. He has extensive experience in crisis intervention, child abuse prevention, professional training, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Alevizos serves as Associate Editor of the journal Child Abuse Review and is a Research Associate at the Restorative Justice and Mediation Lab of Panteion University, directed by Professor Vasiliki Artinopoulou. His academic and professional work focuses on promoting child-friendly justice, restorative approaches, and evidence-based child protection policies. He currently works as a researcher and scientific advisor in European and international projects related to child protection, mental health, and human rights. His work aims to bridge research, professional practice, and public policy in order to strengthen child protection systems and improve support for children and young people in vulnerable situations.