Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Statement
As a Senior Lecturer in Behaviour Analysis and Autism at Queen's University Belfast and a BCBA-D, my responsibilities involve serving as the Coordinator of the ABAI VCS included in our MScABA, leading and teaching modules in the MScABA and MScASD, supervising MSc dissertation projects and PhD students and conducting research in the areas of applied behaviour analysis, evidence-based inclusive education, values-driven professional and parental training, autism spectrum disorders, telehealth, verbal behaviour, health and well-being, brain injury and community-wide applications of behaviour analysis. Since my appointment at Queen's in 2012, I have been instrumental, together with Professor Karola Dillenburger, in the design of the MScABA and its inauguration in 2014-15. Since then, I have led its continuous growth and international success (as the Programme Director between 2014-20 and as the ABAI VCS Coordinator since 2014 and until today) converting it in one of the most sought-after programmes in the field internationally. During my years of service at the School of SSESW I have also served as School Tutor Coordinator (2017-20) and as a member of the Ethics Committee.
My overall aim, which I seek to achieve through a number of research, educational and clinical activities internationally, is to improve the provision and quality of life for individuals with special needs and empower their families by creating inclusive environments, highly trained values-driven professionals and evidence-based educational service delivery models.
I welcome applications from students wishing to undertake the MSc in ABA or further their research skills through a PhD in a related area.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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R1125SES: ESRC IAA - Acting on early life autism signs (Act-ELAS)
Dounavi, K. (PI)
04/07/2023 → …
Project: Research
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R7858SES: An evaluation of the effectiveness of mobile health technology in achieving healthier eating behaviours and improving overall well-being
Dounavi, K. (PI)
07/04/2017 → 31/05/2019
Project: Research
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R2149PSY: Reducing temper outbursts in children by signalling changes
Woodcock, K. (PI) & Dounavi, K. (CoI)
13/08/2014 → 31/03/2017
Project: Research
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Parental perspectives on early life screening and genetic testing for ASD: a systematic review
Dounavi, K. & Koldas, M., 14 Feb 2024, (Early online date) In: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile32 Downloads (Pure) -
Remote staff training
Ferguson, J., Craig, E. & Dounavi, K., 09 Dec 2024, (Accepted) Clinical handbook of autism intervention training. Cihon, J. (ed.).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Effectiveness of a brief functional analysis and functional communication training conducted through telehealth
Craig, E. A., Dounavi, K. & Ferguson, J., Apr 2023, In: Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. 35, 2, p. 227-246 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Citations (Scopus)72 Downloads (Pure) -
Parental wishes, needs and preferences around autism early life screening
Dounavi, K. & Koldas, M., 16 Jun 2023.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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The efficacy of using telehealth to coach parents of children with autism spectrum disorder on how to use naturalistic teaching to increase mands, tacts and intraverbals
Ferguson, J., Dounavi, K. & Craig, E. A., Jun 2023, In: Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. 35, 3, p. 417-447 31 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (Scopus)63 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Dounavi, K. (2013). Using progressive time-delay to teach tacts to an adult diagnosed with post-stroke aphasia. 7th Annual Conference of the Division of Behaviour Analysis, The Psychological Society of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Received prize for best research poster.
Dounavi, K. (Recipient), 26 Apr 2013
Prize: Other distinction
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Nominated for a Staff Excellence Award in the "Outstanding Leadership" category for my role as PhD supervisor (December 2018)
Dounavi, K. (Recipient), 06 Dec 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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QUB Teaching Award Recipient in the category of Rising Stars for my role as MScABA Director leading the course development since 2012, launch in 2014 and continuous international growth
Dounavi, K. (Recipient), 21 Jun 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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The use of 'Precision Teaching' in enhancing medical students' dermatological diagnostic skills. Received 1st prize for poster presented in Medical Education Category.
McGrath, C. (Recipient), McCourt, C. (Recipient), Corry, A. (Recipient), Dounavi, K. (Recipient), Dillenburger, K. (Recipient) & Gormley, G. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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UK Society for Behaviour Analysis 1st student research award granted to Emma Delemere for her MScABA dissertation completed under my supervision
Delemere, E. (Recipient) & Dounavi, K. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Early Autism Intervention Strategies for Infants and Toddlers: Unveiling the SPARC
Tanner, A. (Invited speaker) & Dounavi, K. (Host)
30 May 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Δρούμε στα Πρώιμα Σημάδια Αυτισμού [Acting on early life autism signs]
Dounavi, K. (Speaker)
17 Jan 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Acting on early life autism signs
Dounavi, K. (Contributor) & Koldas, M. (Contributor)
13 Dec 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Erken Dönem Otizm Belirtileri: Haydi Harekete Geç! [Acting on early life autism signs]
Koldas, M. (Presenter) & Dounavi, K. (Contributor)
15 Nov 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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PhD Examination Panel Member at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Greece: The role of automatic reinforcers of response in addressing stereotypical verbal behavior in children with or without autism spectrum disorder
Dounavi, K. (Examiner)
10 Oct 2023Activity: Examination types › PhD external examination
Press/Media
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Thousands of B.C. children waiting for autism assessment
Tanner, A. & Dounavi, K.
15/10/2018
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Wait for autism assessment now more than a year
Tanner, A. & Dounavi, K.
09/10/2018
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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BC researchers studying benefits of early help for children with autism
Tanner, A. & Dounavi, K.
20/04/2016
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
Impacts
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BC researchers studying benefits of early help for children with autism
Tanner, A. (Participant) & Dounavi, K. (Participant)
Impact: Public Policy Impact, Quality of Life Impact
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Validation of UAE National Professional Standards developed for Applied Behavior Analysts
Dounavi, K. (Participant)
Impact: Public Policy Impact