GACUK: 40 Years of Academic Excellence

Wednesday, 2 December 2026 Doors open: 6:30pm | Event: 7:00–9:15pm Venue: Cyprus House, 13 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LB, London Tickets via link,

2026 marks an important milestone for the Greek Archaeological Committee UK (GACUK): the 40th anniversary of its founding.

To celebrate 40 years of academic excellence, GACUK will mark this significant occasion with a special anniversary event, hosted at Cyprus House in London.

The evening will celebrate four decades of GACUK’s contribution to Hellenic archaeology and cultural heritage, highlighting the organisation’s vital role in supporting scholarship, research and international academic collaboration.

GACUK was established to support postgraduate studies in Hellenic archaeology in the United Kingdom by awarding scholarships to Greek and Cypriot graduate students of limited financial means. Since its establishment, the Committee has awarded scholarships to more than 80 graduate archaeologists, enabling a new generation of scholars to pursue advanced research and go on to distinguished careers.

Through its long-standing support of outstanding young scholars, GACUK’s scholarship programme has also served as an important form of cultural diplomacy, strengthening academic ties between Greece, Cyprus and the United Kingdom, nurturing future generations of scholars and fostering international collaboration and mutual understanding.

Programme and Speakers

The programme brings together distinguished academics, founding members, patrons, supervisors, scholars and supporters of GACUK, including:

Mrs Stamatia Comninos, GACUK member and daughter of the late Matti Egon, who will share “Family Recollections.”

Professor Irene S. Lemos, Professor of Classical Archaeology at Merton College, University of Oxford, Academic Advisor and Founding Member of GACUK, presenting “Reflections of a Founding Member.”

Professor Judith Herrin, FSA, Professor Emerita of Late Antique and Byzantine Studies at King’s College London, reflecting on the launch of GACUK’s scholarship programme by Matti and Nicholas Egon.

Professor Catherine Morgan, OBE, FBA, Professor of Classics and Archaeology and Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, Patron and External Assessor of GACUK, presenting “Experiencing GACUK – Inside and Out.”

Professor Cyprian Broodbank, FSA, FBA, Disney Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge, GACUK Patron and supervisor of GACUK scholars.

Professor Lucy Blue, Professor of Maritime Archaeology at the University of Southampton and supervisor of GACUK scholars.

The programme will also feature a special PowerPoint presentation by Professor Emerita Maria Iacovou, Professor Emerita of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology at the University of Cyprus:

“From the University of Cyprus to UK Universities and Back: GACUK’s Cypriot Scholars Today.”

GACUK alumni based in the United Kingdom, together with current scholars, will also take part in the evening and briefly present their current work and academic journeys.

We look forward to welcoming you to Cyprus House for this special celebration of forty years of academic excellence, scholarship and cultural collaboration.