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.
2025/26 Programme
Beliefism: How to Stop Hating People We Disagree With
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
Speaker: Almundena Sevilla CBE, Professor of Economic and Social Policy, Department of Social Policy, LSE
Chair: 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
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Critical Raw Materials in the EU. Autonomy, Technological Transitions and Economic Growth
Speaker: Simona Iammarino, Professor of Applied Economics, Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI); Visiting Professor, Department of Geography and Environment, LSE
Chair: 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
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Past Athens Lectures
Our full archive of past Athens Lectures can be accessed here.