Marinos Sariyannis
Director of IMS (2026—)
Marinos Sariyannis assumed the Directorship of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies in 2026, continuing the Institute’s tradition of scientific excellence and interdisciplinary research. He is a distinguished scholar with an international profile, whose work focuses on Ottoman history, with particular emphasis on the social, cultural, and intellectual history of the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as on the intersections of history, ideas, and discourse. As Director, he aims to further strengthen the international networking of the IMS, support innovative research, and maintain the Institute as a dynamic hub for the humanities and social sciences within the Greek and European research landscape.
Gelina Harlaftis
Director of IMS (2017—2025)
Gelina Harlaftis served as Director of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies from 2017 until the end of 2025, playing a key role in the modern renewal and internationalization of its research activities. During her tenure, the Institute experienced unprecedented expansion and development in both human resources and infrastructure. She remains an active member of the IMS academic community and is Professor in the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of Crete. She has been a member of Academia Europaea since 2022. She studied at the University of Athens and completed her postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge (M.Phil.) and the University of Oxford (D.Phil.). Her academic career includes long-term appointments at the University of Piraeus and the Ionian University, while her scholarly work has made a decisive contribution to the international prominence of maritime and economic history.
Christos Hadziiossif
Director of IMS (2009—2016)
Christos Hadziiossif is Emeritus Professor of Modern History at the University of Crete and served as Director of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies from 2009 to 2016. During his tenure, the IMS continued to strengthen its international presence and consolidate its position as a center of high-level research in the humanities and social sciences. His scholarly work focuses on economic and social history, the history of historiography, and the history of technology—fields that also influenced the Institute’s research orientation by promoting theoretical reflection and linking historical research with broader social and scientific issues.
Athanasios Kalpaxis †
Director of IMS (1993—2008)
Athanasios (Thanasis) Kalpaxis played a pivotal role in the consolidation and substantive development of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies during his long tenure as Director (1993–2008). Throughout this period, the IMS significantly broadened its scientific scope and strengthened its interdisciplinary profile. On his initiative, the Laboratory of Geophysics, Satellite Remote Sensing, and Archaeological Environment was established, pioneering the introduction and use of new technologies in archaeological research in Greece. Moreover, his actions were instrumental in the relocation of the IMS to the old town of Rethymno and the restoration of the historic buildings that house it, effectively linking the Institute with the city’s urban and historical fabric.
Grigoris M. Sifakis †
Director of IMS (1985—1992)
Grigoris M. Sifakis was one of the most emblematic figures in the founding and early development of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH). As a founding member of FORTH, he made a decisive contribution to shaping its multidisciplinary character, dynamically integrating the humanities and strengthening its publishing activity. He was the principal initiator and the first Director of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies in Rethymno (1985–1992), laying the foundations for its scholarly identity and future development. At the same time, he was a founding member of Crete University Press and served for many years as director of the book series “Contributions to the Sciences of Man,” leaving a lasting imprint on the field of Greek humanities.