Christina Kakderi is an Assistant Professor of Spatial Development and RTDI Policies in the EU at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), School of Spatial Planning and Development. She is also actively engaged in research for the past thirteen years. As a member of Urban and Regional Innovation Research – URENIO and, previously, of Spatial Development Research Unit, she has been involved in EU and national funded projects related to spatial development and innovation ecosystems. Her research interests focus on systems of innovation and smart innovation environments (national and regional innovation systems, technology policy, innovation networks, intelligent cities/districts).