The Culture of Inquiry
At Kingsman National Institute, research is not a siloed activity reserved for senior faculty. We call it “Inquiry,” and it is the central thread connecting our entire academic community. From the Senior School student’s Extended Essay to a PhD candidate’s final thesis, our entire educational model is built on the active creation of new knowledge, not just the passive consumption of old knowledge.
We challenge the traditional barrier between teaching and research. Our undergraduates are not taught by researchers; they are invited to become researchers alongside their mentors. This culture is fostered through small-group seminars, undergraduate research opportunities, and a campus environment that encourages robust, critical discourse. We believe that asking bold questions is the primary task of an educated mind, and our Institute is structured to support that inquiry at every level.
Interdisciplinary Research Centres
Our commitment to solving complex, real-world problems is embodied in our specialized, interdisciplinary research centres. These centres serve as hubs for collaboration between faculty, postgraduate students, and external partners.
The Centre for Digital Ethics & Governance (CDEG) This pioneering centre operates at the intersection of our Computational Science and PPL faculties. CDEG researchers investigate the societal, legal, and political ramifications of artificial intelligence, data privacy, and digital sovereignty. It actively consults with European policymakers and NGOs, ensuring our technical innovations are grounded in rigorous ethical frameworks.
The Aegean Informatics Laboratory (AIL) AIL is our high-performance computing and data science hub. It focuses on large-scale data modelling for complex systems, with current projects in computational biology (protein folding simulations) and climate change modelling for the Eastern Mediterranean. It provides essential computational resources for all STEM faculties.
Hellenic Centre for Sustainable Engineering (HCSE) Reflecting our commitment to our environment, the HCSE focuses on materials science, robotics, and renewable energy systems. Current research includes developing advanced photovoltaic materials, designing autonomous systems for precision agriculture in arid climates, and pioneering green architectural solutions inspired by classical Hellenic design principles.
Studio for Generative Art & Interactive Media (SGAIM) This centre bridges our Design & Visual Arts and Computational Science schools. SGAIM is less a lab and more a creative incubator. Researchers and artists collaborate on projects in augmented reality (AR), data visualization as art, and generative algorithms for digital fabrication, exploring new forms of human-computer interaction and creative expression.
The Kolonaki Forum for Economic Policy (KFEP) Serving as the research arm of our Economics faculty, the KFEP is an independent, non-partisan think tank. It focuses on the economic challenges facing Greece, the Eurozone, and global markets. Its faculty research in econometrics, public finance, and trade policy is regularly cited in major financial and governmental reports.
Undergraduate Research
We actively dismantle the idea that research is only for postgraduates. Our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) provides funded, competitive summer placements for undergraduates to work full-time as research assistants on faculty-led projects. This experience is transformative, often leading to co-authored publications, presentations at international conferences, and a significant advantage in postgraduate applications. Furthermore, all undergraduate degrees culminate in a final-year dissertation or capstone project, a substantial piece of original research that demonstrates the student’s mastery of their field.
Postgraduate & Doctoral Studies
Our Postgraduate Faculty is the engine of our research output. MRes (Master of Research) students undertake a year of intensive methodological training before launching a pre-doctoral research project, serving as a vital bridge to PhD study.
Our PhD candidates are junior colleagues. They are central to the life of our research centres, contributing vital new ideas and energy. The doctoral journey at KNI is one of structured mentorship, regular colloquia, and teaching opportunities within the undergraduate school. It culminates in the viva voce, a rigorous oral defence of the doctoral thesis before a panel of internal and external experts—a tradition that upholds the highest international standards of academic achievement.