Stefanos Vallianatos holds a Ph.D. from Lancaster University (U.K.) in the field of International Politics with special reference to the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, an MA in Western European Politics (Essex University, UK), and a Diploma on Political Science & Public Administration (University of Athens, Greece). He is the Director of the Department of International Relations of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, the coordinator of the Greek National Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation and co-founder of Fotoessa, a centre for Education, research and action. Previously, he has worked as a researcher at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (???????) and has taught Middle East Politics and History and Politics of the Balkans, at the International Centre for Hellenic and Mediterranean Studies (CYA). He frequently publishes, lectures, participates and organizes actions on issues related to Middle East politics, civil society and intercultural dialogue in the Mediterranean region and on cultural diplomacy.