Dimitris Papanikolaou

Professor Dimitris Papanikolaou is a leading scholar of Modern Greek literature, queer theory, and cultural studies at the University of Oxford's Faculty of Medieval & Modern Languages. He is also a Fellow of St. Cross College. His work explores intersections between literature, cinema, and popular culture, with a focus on queer theory, biopolitical realism, and the socio-political dimensions of Greek identity.

Papanikolaou’s research includes monographs on Cavafy’s queer poetics, Greek cinema’s 'Weird Wave', and the representation of family in crisis-era culture. He has led major projects like the HIV/AIDS Political Archive (TORCH-funded) and co-founded Greek Studies Now, a interdisciplinary platform. His teaching spans Modern Greek literature, queer theory, and film studies, with supervisory roles over fourteen completed doctoral theses.

Key interests include queer politics, crisis-era cultural analysis, and the role of archives in memory-making. He frequently engages in public debates on Greek identity, LGBTQ+ rights, and cultural heritage through lectures, curated film programs, and media collaborations.

Recent initiatives include co-editing volumes on Greek cinema and the Global South, while his upcoming projects address homophobia, racism, and citizenship in Greece. Papanikolaou’s work bridges academic rigor with public engagement, influencing both scholarly discourse and social activism.