Structure & Organization

Director of IHR

The Institute of Historical Research (IHR) is headed by a Director, who, according to internal regulations, holds overall responsibility for:

• Overseeing the operations of the IIE.
• Developing and submitting the Institute’s research and development program to the Administrative Board of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF).
• Drafting proposals for the portion of the NHRF’s annual budget allocated to the Institute’s activities.
• Carrying out any other duties assigned by internal regulations or specifically by the Administrative Board.

Since 2023, the IHR has been directed by Nikolaos Papazarkadas, Professor of Greek Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

Deputy Director of IHR

In the event that the Director is unable to fulfill their duties, the Deputy Director assumes responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Institute, following a decision by the NHRF’s Administrative Board.

Since 2023, Dr. Ourania Polycandrioti, Research Director and Coordinator of the Section of Neohellenic Studies, has held the position of Deputy Director.

Scientific Council of the Institute

The Director of IHR is assisted by the Scientific Council of the Institute (SCI), which is composed of five members serving two-year terms. The SCI’s main responsibilities include:

• Advising the Director on the exercise of their duties.
• Monitoring the Institute’s research and development program and providing opinions and recommendations to the Director and the Administrative Board.
• Contributing to the development of the Institute’s strategic plan, organizational structure, and human resources policies.
• Supporting the Director in drafting reports and opinions on specific issues referred by the Administrative Board.
• Evaluating the Institute’s research output in relation to national assessment standards (ESETAK) and participating in the Institute’s evaluation processes.
• Appointing evaluation and advisory committees for recruiting Researchers and Functional Scientific Personnel.
• Approving announcements for open positions of researchers and Special Functional Scientists.
• Reviewing and assessing researchers’ activity reports.

Since 2024, the SCI of the IHR comprises the following members:

Marina Koumanoudi – Senior Researcher, Chair of SCI

Myrina Kalaitzi – Senior Researcher

George Koutzakiotis – Senior Researcher

Sophia Kremydi – Research Director

Zisis Melissakis – Research Director

Plenary Assembly of the IHR

All staff of the Institute, as well as anyone employed in any capacity, constitute the Plenary Assembly of the Institute. The Plenary Assembly convenes regularly twice a year, following an invitation from the Chair of the Scientific Council (SCI), who presides over the sessions. During these meetings:

• The Director and members of the SCI brief the staff on the Institute’s strategic objectives and the progress achieved.
• The Director’s activity reports are presented at the midpoint and conclusion of their term.
• Staff engage in discussions and provide recommendations to enhance the functioning and operations of the Institute.

Sections

The Institute of Historical Research (IIE) is organized into three distinct Divisions:

• Section of Greek and Roman Antiquity (SGRA)
• Section of Byzantine Research (SBR)
• Section of Neohellenic Research (SNR)

Each Section is headed by a Section Coordinator, a Research Director appointed for a two-year term. The responsibilities of each Section Coordinator include:

• Coordinating the scholarly activities of the Section in collaboration with the Director of the Institute.
• Being informed of correspondence between the Section’s researchers and the Director on scholarly matters.
• Keeping researchers informed of all matters concerning the Section and convening a Section-wide meeting at least once every two months.
• Preparing the Section’s annual consolidated report and plan, which are submitted to the Director, and discussing any issues with them.

Since 2024, the coordination of the three Sections has been undertaken by the following Research Directors:

Sophia Zoumbaki (SGRA)

Anastasia G. Yangaki (SBR)

Ourania Polycandrioti (SNR)

Support Offices

The activities of the IHR are supported by Special Technical Scientists as well as administrative and technical staff, organized into the following two support offices:

IHR Committees

To facilitate the efficient operation of the Institute of Historical Research, specialized committees—typically composed of three members—have been established. These committees are formed by decision of the Director, following consultation with the Section Coordinators, and are designed to ensure equal representation from all three Divisions.

Since 2024, the following committees are in operation:

• Podcast Committee
• IHR Publications and E-Bookstore Committee
• Cultural Events Committee
• Digital Applications Committee
• Archives and Printed Materials Committee (Archival Unit)
• Website Committee
• Secondary Education Liaison Committee