Launched in 2014, the LSE Athens Lectures Series has become a recognised platform for open public discussion, addressing major contemporary issues through accessible, research-informed debate. Each lecture, delivered by a senior LSE academic, is followed by commentary from a Greek academic discussant, who offers insights that connect the research topic to the Greek context — bringing international perspectives to bear on national experience — while the audience can engage directly with the speakers and contribute to the public dialogue.

Signifying the relaunch of the Hellenic Observatory as an LSE Research Centre, the 2025/26 series is organised in partnership with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, one of Greece’s most historic and research-active universities. The series also benefits from the support of the LSE Hellenic Alumni Association and we are also grateful for the support of our sponsors listed below.

AL hosts

2026/27 Programme

A new world (dis)order? Lessons from the past, decisions for the future

Thursday 5 November 2026, 6.00pm-7.30pm (EET)

Speaker: Aino Rosa Kristina Spohr, Professor of International History, Department of International History, LSE

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Why is the US more productive than the EU?

Thursday 25 February 2027, 6.00pm-7.30pm (EET)

Speaker: Ricardo Reis, Alban William Phillips Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, LSE

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of Economics

Ever closer union? The limits to European governance

Thursday 24 June 2027, 6.00pm-7.30pm (EET)

Speaker: Simon Glendinning, Head of the European Institute and Professor in European Philosophy

Exlore the previous events in the series

Beliefism: How to stop hating the people we disagree with

Wednesday 26 November 2025 6.00pm-7.30pm (EET)

Speaker: Paul Dolan, Professor of Behavioural Science, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, LSE

Discussant: Lamprini Rori, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Chairs:
Vassilis Monastiriotis, Director, LSE Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus - Hellenic Observatory; Professor in Political Economy and Eleftherios Venizelos Chair of Contemporary Greek Studies, European Institute, LSE

Aristeidis Samitas, Professor of Finance, Vice Rector for Finance and Development, Director of MSc in FinTech, Director of Financial Investments Lab, Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Political Sciences, University of Athens

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Gender roles and parental time allocation

Friday 27 February 2026 6.00pm-7.30pm (EET)

Speaker: Almudena Sevilla CBE, Professor of Economic and Social Policy, Department of Social Policy, LSE

Discussant: Irene Kamberidou, Professor of Sociology, School of Economics and Political Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Chairs:
Vassilis Monastiriotis, Director, LSE Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus - Hellenic Observatory; Professor in Political Economy and Eleftherios Venizelos Chair of Contemporary Greek Studies, European Institute, LSE

Aristeidis Samitas, Professor of Finance, Vice Rector for Finance and Development, Director of MSc in FinTech, Director of Financial Investments Lab, Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Political Sciences, University of Athens

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Critical raw materials in the EU. Autonomy, technological transitions and economic growth

Thursday 28 May 2026 7.00pm-8.30pm (EET)

Speaker: Simona Iammarino, Professor of Applied Economics, Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI); Visiting Professor, Department of Geography and Environment, LSE

Discussant: Anthony Bartzokas, Professor of Economics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Director, International Economics and Development Laboratory; Research Associate, LSE

Chairs:
Vassilis Monastiriotis, Director, LSE Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus - Hellenic Observatory; Professor in Political Economy and Eleftherios Venizelos Chair of Contemporary Greek Studies, European Institute, LSE

Aristeidis Samitas, Professor of Finance, Vice Rector for Finance and Development, Director of MSc in FinTech, Director of Financial Investments Lab, Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Political Sciences, University of Athens

Find out more
Watch the video
View some photos