Ms. Lydia Papadaki | Economics | Young Scientist Award
Researcher, ATHENA RC Greece
Lydia Papadaki, based in Athens, Greece, is a dynamic researcher and project manager specializing in climate innovation, circular economy, and sustainable development. With an active role at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) and the ATHENA Research and Innovation Centre, she has been instrumental in European and international projects such as ARSINOE, DOORS, and IntelCOMP. Lydia’s professional journey includes leadership roles in hubs like EIT Climate-KIC Greece and UN SDSN Greece, fostering systemic solutions in sustainability and business transformation. Alongside her academic pursuits, she actively engages in teaching and mentoring, delivering lectures and trainings across Europe and the Mediterranean region. She brings a rich background combining economics, project coordination, innovation policy, and entrepreneurship development, positioning herself as a key contributor to Europe’s climate action and green transition efforts. Lydia’s work integrates multidisciplinary expertise to support the achievement of sustainable economic models and climate resilience.
Publication Profile
🎓 Education
Lydia Papadaki is currently pursuing a PhD in Economics at the School of Economics, Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), Greece, since November 2019, as part of a rigorous four-year program. Her doctoral studies focus on environmental economics, innovation systems, and sustainable business models, reflecting her strong commitment to integrating economic principles with climate resilience. In addition to her ongoing PhD, Lydia has built a robust foundation in economics and international market analysis, further enhanced through internships and specialized research activities. Her academic journey has been deeply interdisciplinary, blending economic theory with real-world applications in environmental policy, circular economy frameworks, and regional development strategies. Through her education, Lydia has acquired expertise not only in advanced economic modeling but also in the governance of sustainability initiatives, preparing her to contribute actively to research, policymaking, and innovation in global and European contexts.
💼 Experience
Lydia Papadaki’s career spans leading research and managerial positions across prominent organizations, including ReSEES at AUEB and the ATHENA Research Centre, where she contributes to major EU-funded projects like ARSINOE, CATALYST, TICHE Academy, DOORS, and IntelCOMP. She previously managed EIT Climate-KIC Hub Greece (2019–2022), orchestrating training programs like Pioneers into Practice and Climathons across multiple cities. As Manager at UN SDSN Greece (2019–2022), she developed and coordinated SDG-related activities, workshops, and youth programs. Earlier, Lydia gained valuable industry experience during internships at the Embassy of Greece in Rome and Olympic Brewery’s Finance Department. Her work blends research, innovation, project management, and teaching, encompassing topics such as circular economy, sustainable business transformation, and climate innovation. Lydia’s trajectory reflects her passion for systemic change, interdisciplinary collaboration, and fostering sustainable development, making her a significant contributor in both academic and professional sustainability networks.
🏆 Awards & Honors
Throughout her vibrant career, Lydia Papadaki has been closely associated with prestigious European programs and international initiatives that have recognized her commitment to sustainable development and innovation. She has been a key contributor to multiple award-winning Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ projects like ARSINOE, DOORS, and IntelCOMP. Although specific personal awards are not individually listed, Lydia’s active involvement in large-scale, competitively funded projects valued in millions of euros highlights her exceptional competence and the trust placed in her abilities. Her teaching engagements at elite programs like the UN SDSN ESG Programme and her role in initiatives like Maritime ClimAccelerator also underscore the recognition of her expertise in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and climate innovation. Additionally, her leadership roles in projects co-funded by EIT Climate-KIC, such as Circular Learning Hub and CE Beacons, position her among Europe’s emerging leaders driving the green transition and systemic innovation movements.
🔬 Research Focus
Lydia Papadaki’s research focus revolves around sustainable economic models, circular economy transitions, climate innovation, and systemic solutions for resilience. She is deeply engaged in EU-funded research projects addressing critical issues like climate adaptation (ARSINOE), marine and maritime innovation (DOORS), smart specialization strategies (CE in S3), and AI-based policymaking platforms (IntelCOMP). Lydia actively explores how innovation ecosystems can foster greener, more resilient economies through cross-sector collaboration. Her research interests also include the water-energy-food nexus, circular business models, and regional climate adaptation strategies. Through her work at ReSEES, ATHENA RC, and AUEB, Lydia applies interdisciplinary approaches to integrate environmental sustainability with socio-economic development. She consistently seeks to bridge academic research and practical implementation, aiming to influence policy, corporate strategy, and community resilience. Lydia’s research supports transformative change across sectors, aligning with EU Green Deal goals and sustainable development frameworks, making her a forward-thinking researcher in Europe’s green economy landscape.
Conclusion
Lydia Papadaki is highly suitable for the Young Scientist Award. She exhibits an exceptional academic record, strong research engagement in sustainability and environmental economics, real-world project leadership, and international academic exposure. While a greater volume of high-impact publications and further interdisciplinary expansion would strengthen her case in the future, her current achievements, dedication, and trajectory already make her a deserving and promising candidate for this honor.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Water for tomorrow: A living lab on the creation of the science-policy-stakeholder interface
Year: 2022
Author: A Alamanos, P Koundouri, L Papadaki, T Pliakou, E Toli
Title: A system innovation approach for science-stakeholder interface: theory and application to water-land-food-energy nexus
Year: 2022
Author: A Alamanos, P Koundouri, L Papadaki, T Pliakou
Title: Integrated fleet optimization under techno-economic shipping and environmental constraints: the MaritimeGCH model
Year: 2024
Author: A Alamanos, O Nisiforou, JA Garcia, L Papadaki, P Koundouri
Title: New challenges and opportunities for sustainable ports: The Deep Demonstration in maritime hubs project
Year: 2020
Author: V Alexandropoulou, P Koundouri, L Papadaki, K Kontaxaki
Title: Sustainable shipping: levers of change
Year: 2020
Author: A Papandreou, P Koundouri, L Papadaki
Title: Integrating water-food-energy nexus with climate services: modelling and assessment for a case study in Africa
Year: 2020
Author: P Koundouri, L Papadaki
Title: Tackling Single-Use-Plastic in small touristic islands to reduce marine litter: co-identifying the best mix of policy interventions
Year: 2023
Author: A Guittard, E Akinsete, E Demian, P Koundouri, L Papadaki, X Tombrou
Title: Accelerating Science-Driven Blue Growth via a Competitive Intelligence Cloud/HPC Platform for AI-Based STI Policy Making
Year: 2022
Author: P Koundouri, N Theodossiou, Y Ioannidis, H Papageorgiou, …
Title: Sustainable shipping: levers of change. The Ocean of Tomorrow
Year: 2021
Author: A Papandreou, P Koundouri, L Papadaki
Title: Circular Economy in National Smart Specialisation Strategies: The Case of Greece
Year: 2021
Author: L Tsipouri, P Koundouri, L Papadaki, MD Argyrou