معرفی
Tzanakis Manolis is an Associate Professor in Sociology of Illness and Medical Institutions at the Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, University of Crete. His academic career spans from 2003 to present, progressing from Adjunct Lecturer to his current position as Associate Professor since 2020, demonstrating sustained commitment to sociological research and teaching.
His academic formation includes:
- PhD in Sociology (2003), University of Crete
- BA in Sociology (1997), University of Crete
- Diploma in Journalism (1992), Laboratory of Professional Journalism of Athens
Tzanakis's research explores the complex interplay between medical institutions, bodily experiences, and social structures. His scholarship bridges theoretical frameworks from Foucault's governmentality studies with empirical investigations of health practices in Greek society. He examines how individuals navigate illness experiences within specific historical and institutional contexts, with particular attention to mental health systems, breast cancer experiences, and embodied leisure practices like scuba diving. His methodological approach emphasizes qualitative techniques, especially biographical-narrative interviews, to capture the richness of lived experience.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from institutional analysis of mental health systems toward more individualized practices of self-care and bodily management. The recurring themes across his work include embodiment, subjectivity formation, and the relationship between technology and the body in both medical and leisure contexts. His 2024 monograph on scuba diving represents a culmination of this research trajectory, connecting phenomenological approaches to embodied experience with historical sociology.
While no specific awards are documented in the available information, Tzanakis has made significant editorial contributions through volumes on the surveilled body and social relationships in health conditions. His work demonstrates sustained scholarly productivity with publications spanning 2014-2024.
Tzanakis has supervised research on breast cancer experiences, mental health systems, and bodily practices. His collaborative projects, particularly the ARPA Ageing initiative, demonstrate engagement with practical applications of sociological research to improve social care systems. His work connects with broader European research networks through ERASMUS+ funded projects focused on mental health professional development.
His scholarly contributions extend through participation in the ARPA Ageing project, a multinational collaboration developing mental health professional networks for elderly people, reflecting his commitment to translating sociological insights into practical care improvements across institutional boundaries.
