The Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies (SPBS) was established in 1983, with the object of furthering study and knowledge of the history and culture, language and literature of the Byzantine Empire and its neighbours. The Society is a registered charity, no. 289207.
The Society’s membership is drawn from the interested public as well as practising academics across the world: no professional qualifications are required. The executive of the SPBS also serves as the UK National Committee of the Association Internationale des Études Byzantines (AIEB), founded in 1948 which, amongst its other functions, sponsors an International Congress every five years.
The Society is governed by its Constitution and run by its Executive Committee and Officers (elected by the membership or invited). There are four Sub-Committees (Bulletin, Development, Membership and Publications). Presidents, Chairs and Treasurers become Vice-Presidents of the Society once their term of office has expired.
Current Executive Committee
| Position | Name | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| President | Professor Dame Averil Cameron | 2017-2022 |
| Vice-Presidents | Professor Cyril Mango (ex-President) | 2009-2014, 2014-2019, 2019-2024 |
| Professor Robin Cormack (ex-Chair) | 2009-2014, 2014-2019, 2019-2024 | |
| Professor Margaret Mullett (ex-Chair) | 2009-2014, 2014-2019, 2019-2024 | |
| Mr Michael Carey (ex-Treasurer) | 2012-2017, 2014-2017, 2017-2022 | |
| Dr Rosemary Morris (ex-Chair) | 2013-2018, 2018-2023 | |
| Professor Elizabeth Jeffreys (ex-Chair) | 2018-2023 | |
| Chair | Professor Liz James | 2023 - 2026 |
| Hon. Secretary | Dr Anna Kelley | 2021-2026 |
| Treasurer | Mr Chris Budleigh | 2014-2019, 2019-2024 |
| Chair, Bulletin Committee & Editor of BBBS | Dr Fiona Haarer | By invitation |
| Chair, Development Committee | Dr Dan Reynolds | 2021-2026 |
| Dr Maroula Perisanidi (Development Committee) | 2018-2021, 2021-2026 | |
| Dr Alex Vukovich (Development Committee) | 2019-2022 | |
| Dr Max Lau (Development Committee) | 2021-2026 | |
| Mr Sean Strong (Development Committee) | Graduate Associate, by invitation | |
| Chair, Membership Committee | Dr Ida Toth | 2018-2019, 2019-2024 |
| Professor Niels Gaul (Membership Committee) | 2018-2021, 2021-2026 | |
| Chair, Publications Committee | Professor Shaun Tougher | 2024-2026 |
| Mr James Cogbill | 2024-2026 | |
| Dr Angeliki Lymberopoulou (ex-chair) | 2018-2023 | |
| Professor Judith Herrin (Publications Committee) | 2016-2019, 2019-2022 | |
| Dr Marija Vukovojac (Publications Committee) | 2018-2021, 2021-2026 | |
| Mr James Cogbill (Publications Committee) | Graduate Associate, by invitation | |
| Membership Secretary | Ms Katerina Vavaliou | By invitation |
| Webmaster | Mr Gavriil-Ioannis Boutziopoulos | By invitation |