About Us

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

PositionNameTerm of office
PresidentProfessor Dame Averil Cameron2017-2022
Vice-PresidentsProfessor 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
ChairProfessor Liz James
2023 - 2026
Hon. SecretaryDr Anna Kelley2021-2026
TreasurerMr Chris Budleigh2014-2019, 2019-2024
Chair, Bulletin Committee & Editor of BBBSDr Fiona Haarer By invitation
Chair, Development CommitteeDr 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 CommitteeDr Ida Toth2018-2019, 2019-2024
Professor Niels Gaul
(Membership Committee)
2018-2021, 2021-2026
Chair, Publications CommitteeProfessor Shaun Tougher2024-2026
Mr James Cogbill2024-2026
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 SecretaryMs Katerina VavaliouBy invitation
WebmasterMr Gavriil-Ioannis BoutziopoulosBy invitation