LaSTcity co-organized with the French School of Athens (EFA) and the Laboratory for Anthropological Research of Panteion University the Spring School “Research in urban settings: the challenges of ethnography”.
Dedicated to exploring the role, challenges, and contributions of ethnographic approaches in urban studies, the Spring School approached the city as a central anthropological field of inquiry in an increasingly urbanized world. It examined what makes urban environments key sites for understanding contemporary societies, with particular attention to the production of urbanities. The program was structured around three main axes: the analysis of ethnographic methods, the importance of comparative perspectives, and the role of writing in studying and representing urban life.
The program brought together 18 participants, including last year undergraduate students, Master’s students or PhD candidates in anthropology, sociology, and geography. Throughout the week, they actively contributed to discussions, workshops, and collective activities, including cultural visits and group sessions.
Organizing and Scientific Committee:
Aliki Angelidou (Panteion University, Athens) | Sophie Chevalier (University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens) | Gilles de Rapper (French School of Athens) | Sofia Grigoriadou (University of Thessaly, Volos) | Emmanuelle Lallement (University of Paris 8 Vincennes – Saint-Denis, Paris) | Giorgos Poulimenakos (University of Oslo) | Iris Polyzou (National Technical University of Athens) | Stavros Spyrellis (EKKE) | Nikos Souliotis (EKKE) | Gwendoline Torterat (University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens)
Among others, Stavros Spyrellis and Nikos Souliotis, members of LaSTcity, chaired worksops of the spring school.
LaSTcity fieldtrip in Athens
LaSTcity organized an ethnographic field trip on Monday, 30 March 2026 (14:00–18:00), offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with the urban fabric of Athens. The fieldtrip was designed and coordinated by George Kandylis, Stavros Spyrellis, and Fereniki Vatavali, involved invited speakers and included short presentations, discussions and on-site observation.
The field trip started at the French School of Athens, where an introductory session addressed key aspects of Athens’ urban development and explored the transformations, enclosures, and conflicts of and round public spaces.
The participants visited a series of emblematic public spaces at the centre of Athens:
- At Exarcheia Square, discussions focused on the neighborhood’s identity and the conflicts surrounding the construction of a metro station in the square, with contributions from Athina Arabatzi, member of the Exarchia Residents’ Committee and Assistant Professor at the University of Crete.
- At Pedion tou Areos, the group explored the history of the park, design proposals for its development, and shifts in its management. Invited speakers included Thodoris Kokkinakis and Babis Baltas, members of the citizens’ initiative “We in Pedion tou Areos (Εμείς στο Πεδίον του Άρεως)” who shared key issues related to the park’s organization and management, residents’ demands, and collective actions
- The visit concluded at Agios Georgios Square Kypseli, where participants engaged with the identity of Kypseli and the recent transformations of the square, with input from Paraskevas Vakalos, a local resident.
By immersing participants in key urban sites and debates, the field trip reinforced the program’s core aim: to critically engage with the city as both a field and object of ethnographic research.
