About Mariza Spanaki
As a Lecturer in Accounting and Finance, I am dedicated to bridging the gap between business theory and real-world practice. My academic foundation includes a BSc in Economics, an MSc in Tourism and Hospitality, and a PhD in Risk Management. In my current teaching role, I focus heavily on micro and macroeconomics modules, specialising in macroeconomics, audit, and financial data statistical analysis, while also managing module design and programme coordination.
I am an active early-career researcher with a strong track record of conference participation. My doctoral research centered on opportunity risk management, where I developed a practical framework to help hotels and businesses efficiently integrate new services—a project that blended strategic foresight with hands-on application. This academic work is deeply informed by my prior industry experience, having spent several years in departmental deputy management roles within the hotel sector, gaining firsthand insight into operational challenges and service innovation.
Ultimately, I am passionate about exploring how service risk, financial decision-making, and strategic development intersect to help hospitality and business environments thrive.
Teaching and supervision
My teaching experience spans both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, where I have designed, led, and delivered modules across a diverse range of subject areas. Currently, I am the module leader for:
- Corporate Governance and Ethics
- Audit, Assurance and Financial Risk
- International Financial Markets and Financial Data Analysis
- International Trade and Finance
- International Money and Banking
I have successfully managed and coordinated these programmes across multiple platforms and locations, including the Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong campuses, as well as through Transnational Education (TNE) and online delivery.
Additionally, I have supervised postgraduate dissertations and currently participate in PhD supervisions.
Global Partnership
Deputy gloabal lead for Greece and Cyprus (AAS, DEI and Ledra)
Student-Nominated Teaching Awards (Nominee):
- Outstanding project supervisor
- staff member who provides outstanding student support
- Tutor who provides outstanding feedback
- Most inspirational member of university staff
Interests
- International Financial Markets
- Data Analysis and Econometrics
- Quantitative research methods and methodology
- Risk Management
- Micro- economics
- Macro-economics
- Student engagement, motivation and inclusion in higher education
- Audit practices
- Innovation and sustainability
Research
- Julia Janfeshar Nobari, Maria Zoi Spanaki, Kinga Lovell (2026) - UKRI Participatory Research Fund : Co-creating the inclusive professional: a participatory framework for diverse workforce readiness (in progress)
- Spanaki Maria Zoi (2025) Establishing an opportunity risk management framework for the efficient integration of new services in the four and five-star hotels in Greece. Doctoral thesis, University of Sunderland.
- Maria Zoi Spanaki, Andreas Papatheodorou, Nikolaos Pappas (2021): Tourism in the Post COVID-19 era: Evidence from the hotel sector in the North East of England(opens in new tab), Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, DOI:10.1108/WHATT-01-2021-0013
- Maria Zoi Spanaki (2021): The perspectives of Risk Management in the Greek tourism industry: A case study of the new services establishment(opens in new tab), Tourism Dynamics, DOI:10.23912/9781911635932-4943
Areas of expertise
- Risk Management and Governance
- Financial Data Analysis
- Global Macroeconomics and Trade
- Service Industry Innovation
Further information
I am the Deputy Leader Center