Professor Kourgiantakis joined the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work in 2015. Her research focuses on social work education and simulation-based learning in teaching and assessment with an interest in family-centered practices in addictions and mental health. As a Certified Couple and Family Therapist and a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Professor Kourgiantakis brings over 25 years of clinical experience to her role as Simulation Coordinator within the Faculty. Since 2016, she has provided leadership and coordination in embedding teaching with simulation in the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program. As a result, the program has expanded dramatically and the use of simulation in both courses and fields of study has nearly tripled. The success of the entire simulation program was recognized in 2017 as the recipient winner of the Northrop Frye Award, Departmental/Divisional Category. Professor Kourgiantakis also received a Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Teaching Award in 2017-18.

Professor Kourgiantakis’ commitment to a learner-centred pedagogical approach is exemplified in her development of the voluntary educational initiative, Practice Fridays. Since 2015, Practice Fridays has provided over 400 MSW students and 50 field instructors with simulation-based learning activities to enhance interviewing and assessment skills.  She is active in the re-design of a number of a program courses within the Faculty and in 2018, with the University of Toronto Teaching Fellowship, Professor Kourgiantakis created topical educational modules and videos in mental health and addiction for practicum courses.