est. 1995
Athens Institute
A World Association of Academics and Researchers: Promoting Global Education & Research
1995-2025: 30 Years of Bringing Academics and Scholars together in Athens
An academic discussion over lunch was held on Wednesday, 27 May 2026,
at a traditional Greek restaurant in downtown Athens
An informal academic discussion over lunch was held on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, in the context of the 21st Annual Conference on Philosophy, at a traditional Greek restaurant in downtown Athens.
Dr. Gregory T. Papanikos, President of the Athens Institute, along with members of the scientific committee, and accompanying persons, joined the discussion.
From the members of the scientific committee were the two heads of the Philosophy Unit of the Athens Institute: Dr. Robert Bishop (Professor, Wheaton College, USA) and Dr. Oidinposha
Imamkhodjaeva (Teaching Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania State University, USA) the Head of the Arts & Culture Unit, Dr. Ori Soltes (Professor, Georgetown University, USA), as well as the President of the Society of Friends of the Athens Institute and Academic Philhellenism (SFAIAP), Dr. Timothy M. Young (Emeritus Professor, The University of Tennessee, USA & CEO and President, T.M. Young Institute, LLC, USA).
During the meeting, participants discussed the further development of the Athens Institute, with particular attention given to the planning of the next Annual International Conference on Philosophy, scheduled to take place in 2027. The discussion focused on strengthening its academic profile, expanding thematic coverage, and broadening international participation, with the aim of further establishing the conference as a leading global forum for contemporary philosophical research and dialogue.
Consideration was also given to the continued development, editorial direction, and international impact of the Athens Journal of Philosophy, including strategies to enhance its academic visibility, attract high-quality submissions, and further strengthen its position within the global scholarly publishing landscape.
In addition, participants discussed in detail the new initiative of the Athens Institute and the newly established Society of Friends of the Athens Institute and Academic Philhellenism (SFAIAP). They also discussed the Undergraduate Competitions, which are designed to actively engage undergraduate students in academic research, encourage early scholarly development, and provide a structured platform for emerging talent to present and further develop their work within an international academic environment.
