The Hellenic Observatory was established at LSE in 1996 with the creation of the Eleftherios Venizelos Chair of Contemporary Greek Studies, made possible by a generous endowment from a group of Greek donors, both public and private. The Observatory’s role has been to promote the multidisciplinary study of contemporary Greek politics, economy, and society. Starting as a small group of researchers, the Hellenic Observatory has grown steadily. In 2011, it expanded its research agenda to include both Greece and Cyprus, relating these to the wider European Union and Southeast Europe.
The Observatory’s mission has been to advance and support academic and policy-related research, and to promote its work through a vibrant programme of public events, including conferences, lectures, book launches, seminars, and workshops. It has facilitated academic exchange through fellowships (funded, post-doctoral, visiting), studentships, and internships, and has contributed to graduate-level teaching through LSE’s European Institute.
Through its continued growth and achievements, the Observatory gained international recognition as a premier research hub on contemporary Greece and Cyprus, facilitating high-quality research supported by public and private sector grants and philanthropic gifts. It has disseminated its findings to the LSE community, the public, policymakers, professionals, and the business community through a rich programme of public engagement activities and partnerships establishing its reputation in line with the LSE’s global outlook.
With its relaunch as the new Hellenic Observatory Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus in 2024, the Hellenic Observatory proudly highlighted its significant achievements over 27 years of operation, including:
Watch a video about the contribution of the Hellenic Observatory:
Hellenic Observatory's contribution
Hellenic Observatory's contribution
(Produced in 2018 | Note: all references to people and job titles in this video reflect their status at the time of production)