The Myrto Georgakopoulou Research Fellowship 2025–2026
Three years after the loss of Myrto Georgakopoulou, a valued member of the Fitch Laboratory of the British School at Athens, her contribution to Aegean archaeology and archaeological science continues to inform and inspire research within the BSA and the wider scholarly community.
Established in December 2022 with the support of Myrto’s family and through generous donations from family members, friends, and colleagues, the Myrto Georgakopoulou Memorial Fund supports the Myrto Georgakopoulou Research Fellowship. The Fellowship is awarded annually to a PhD student or early-career researcher working on the archaeology of the Aegean and adjacent areas, with a particular emphasis on archaeological science.
On the anniversary of Myrto’s passing, we are pleased to announce that the 2025–2026 Fellowship has been awarded to Dr Laura Alvarez.
Dr Alvarez received her PhD in 2021 from the Université libre de Bruxelles and the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. She subsequently held a two-year postdoctoral appointment at the University of Cambridge, where she remains affiliated, and she is currently a part-time lecturer at the American University of Cyprus.
Laura’s doctoral research identified a distinct “mirror culture” in the Aegean from around 1700 BC. Her Fellowship project focuses on Bronze Age Aegean mirrors, combining archaeological science and experimental approaches to investigate ancient production and finishing techniques. A major outcome of the project will be the casting of two full-scale mirror replicas, using historically determined alloy compositions and polishing sequences, for display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
The British School at Athens is committed to securing the long-term future of the Myrto Georgakopoulou Memorial Fund. Continued support is essential to sustain the Fellowship and to enable future generations of early-career researchers to pursue innovative, scientifically grounded research in Aegean archaeology. Donations in Myrto’s memory directly contribute to this goal and ensure that her legacy continues through active scholarship.
Donations can be made via our website with the reference ‘Myrto Georgakopoulou Memorial Fund’ in the additional comments.