Ioannis Papatheodorou

Ioannis Papatheodorou is Professor of Modern Greek Philology at the Department of Philology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Patras since 2019 (previously Associate Professor until promotion via Government Gazette 2770/28-07-2025). Formerly Assistant Professor at University of Ioannina (2006-2019), he also taught at University of Thessaly (2001-2005) and Hellenic Open University (2005-2020), with lectures at Cyprus' Department of Byzantine Studies and Free University of Berlin.

Education:

• PhD in Philology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens ("Excellent" grade; thesis: heterology in Stratis Tsirkas' "Ungoverned States")
• Post-doctoral research on Cavafy's criticism, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Research Interests: Specializes in Modern Greek Literature (19th-20th centuries) with focus on Stratis Tsirkas and C.P. Cavafy. His Cultural Poetics work examines national identity construction through "Romantic Destinies" and the "Great Idea," while Folk and Popular Culture research analyzes intersections between traditional narratives and modern literary forms. Key monograph: "Romantic Destinies. Aristotle Valaoritis as a National Poet" (Bibliorama, 2009).

Publication Trends: Articles demonstrate consistent methodological fusion of literary historiography and rhetorical analysis. Recurring themes include sacred/profane boundaries in religious contexts (Nicodemus of Mount Athos study), scandalous literary reception (Emm. Rodis analysis), and critical frameworks for Modern Greek literature historiography, reflecting deep engagement with theoretical constructs and historical contingencies.

Scientific Awards:

• Center for Mediterranean Culture Fellowship (doctoral research)
• Hellenic Republic Post-doctoral Fellowship (Cavafy criticism research)

Advising and Grants: Mentored numerous undergraduate/postgraduate students across three universities. Research supported by competitive fellowships enabling doctoral work at Tel Aviv University's Center for Mediterranean Culture and post-doctoral Cavafy studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with undergraduate scholarship from Latsis Foundation.

Laboratories and Teams: Director of Laboratory of Archival Documents and Press (EATT, Department of Philology, University of Patras) and Board Member of Archives of Contemporary Social History, leading projects on Greek cultural heritage preservation through archival research and digital documentation.