University of Athens to Host International Roundtable Discussion on #MeToo and Feminist Politics
Athens, May 20, 2026 – The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is set to host a significant international roundtable discussion titled ‘After #MeToo: Feminist Politics in the Age of Backlash’ on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. The event will commence at 6:00 PM in the University’s historic Great Hall, located at 30 Panepistimiou Street, Athens.
Focus on #MeToo in the Media and Contemporary Feminist Politics
This timely discussion is organized to coincide with the publication of the volume ‘#MeToo in the Media’, edited by Professor Lilie Chouliaraki. The roundtable aims to provide a crucial platform for both academic and public debate on the evolving challenges and implications of the global #MeToo movement, with a particular focus on the critical roles played by media, digital platforms, and contemporary feminist politics in shaping public discourse.
The event is a collaborative effort, organized as part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Athens and the Hellenic Observatory Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus. This partnership underscores a commitment to fostering international dialogue on pressing issues related to gender, communication, public discourse, and democracy within the context of contemporary digital cultures.
Distinguished Speakers and Academic Collaboration
The roundtable will feature opening remarks by Professor Sophia Papaioannou, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations, and Extroversion at the University of Athens, highlighting the institution’s dedication to engaging with global academic and social issues.
A panel of distinguished academics from leading international institutions will participate in the discussion. These include:
- Professor Liza Tsaliki, Chair, Department of Communication and Media Studies, University of Athens
- Professor Lilie Chouliaraki, Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science
- Professor Sarah Banet-Weiser, Dean, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
- Professor Rosalind Gill, Centre for the Study of Global Media and Democracy, Goldsmiths, University of London
- Assistant Professor Kathryn Claire Higgins, School of Media, Communications, and Cultural Studies, Goldsmiths, University of London
The discussion will be skillfully chaired by Lamprini Rori, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Athens. This diverse panel of experts is expected to bring a wide range of perspectives and insights to the complex topic of feminist politics in the current climate.
Addressing the Age of Backlash
The title of the roundtable, ‘After #MeToo: Feminist Politics in the Age of Backlash’, directly addresses the perceived resistance and challenges that have emerged in response to the #MeToo movement. Participants will explore how media narratives, the architecture of digital platforms, and the strategies of contemporary feminist movements are navigating this backlash. The discussion is anticipated to delve into themes such as online harassment, misinformation, the weaponization of digital spaces, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality in an increasingly polarized global landscape.
The event is open to the public and aims to engage a broad audience, including students, academics, media professionals, and anyone interested in the future of feminist politics and the impact of social movements in the digital age. The University of Athens, established on May 3, 1837, as the first university in the newly formed Greek state, continues its tradition of being a pivotal institution for intellectual and cultural development in the region by hosting such critical international dialogues.
This roundtable is one of several initiatives by NKUA to foster international cooperation and scholarly exchange. Recent activities include the visit of President Gilles Bonnet and a delegation from Jean Moulin University Lyon 3 to strengthen academic ties, and the hosting of the ‘Computer Science in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’ event, underscoring the university’s commitment to contemporary issues across various disciplines.
Further details regarding the event, including any potential live streaming options, will be made available through the University of Athens’ communication hub, hub.uoa.gr.
