About the Centre

The University of Edinburgh is one of the few universities in the English-speaking world with experts covering all periods of Greek history and culture. The A. G. Leventis Centre for Greek Studies promotes the study of Greek culture in its manifold forms and aspects from antiquity to the present. In particular, it encourages novel – interdisciplinary and diachronic – approaches within and across ancient, medieval, and modern Greek studies and neighbouring fields. The Centre supports researchers of all career stages in exploring such innovative avenues of research.

As the only centre for diachronic Greek Studies in Scotland and outwith the south-east of England, we are keen to explore connections between Greece and Greek culture on the one hand and Edinburgh (‘the Athens of the North’), Scotland and the north of England on the other, including but not limited to the Scottish involvement in the Greek Revolution, and to promote public engagement and outreach activities.

The Centre and the A. G. Leventis Foundation

Close collaboration between the Foundation and Edinburgh Hellenists began in 1997, when the Foundation endowed a biennial visiting professorship in Greek Studies at the University of Edinburgh. The purpose of the visiting chair is to contribute to the understanding of Hellenic culture. Most visiting professors have focused on classical Greece, its literature, history and people, while now that the professorship has moved under the auspices of the Centre, the holders of this prestigious post will more often cover the Byzantine and early modern or mordern periods, or pursue diachronic approaches.

In addition to the biennial visiting professorship and conference, the Foundation established a Chair in Byzantine Studies in 2015 and two Lectureships in Modern Greek Studies in 2024.

The inauguration of the Centre in 2025 marks a capstone of two decades of close and fruitful collaboration.