Ilias G. Mpisias

Ilias G. Bissias holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of London (Queen Mary College) and a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the same university (London School of Economics), specializing in international law. He began his professional career in 1994 as a Legal Researcher on transportation issues at the law firm Harbottle and Lewis, Solicitors in London. He then worked at the European Commission in the Directorate-General for Transport. Subsequently, he collaborated with Professor P.D. Dagtoglou as a Legal Correspondent for the European Commission on Greek aviation law and policy issues. Since 1997, he has been publishing and directing the magazines "Nautical Chronicles" and "Life in Capital A." Under his direction, "Nautical Chronicles" has been honored by the Academy of Athens, the Botsis Foundation, the Municipality of Athens, HELMEPA, the Union of Greek Writers, among others. Ilias Bissias is the Press and Communications Officer of the shipping company Tomasos Bros, a company managing 16 tankers and cargo ships with experience in maritime transport dating back to the early 20th century. In parallel, he collaborates with the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping on attracting young people to the maritime profession, specifically in a nationwide campaign to inform high school students about maritime careers. Since 2010, he has been a teaching assistant at the University of the Aegean in undergraduate and postgraduate courses on International Shipping Policy and Business Communication, while researching issues related to improving the public image of Greek shipping and the historical relationships of the sector with the media. In collaboration with Associate Professor Thanos Pallis, he also studies the sociological profile of maritime students nationwide. In this context, he co-authored and presented with Dr. Pallis the book "Choosing Shipping: Young Men and Women in Maritime and Shipping Studies" (Gutenberg Editions 2011). He has participated as a speaker or coordinator in numerous scientific conferences in Greece and abroad and has published numerous articles on transportation, communication crisis management, maritime education, community law, European integration, and European political history. Additionally, he has attended a series of educational scenarios and Master Classes at Cranfield University, Lloyd's Maritime Academy, and Svitzer Salvage Academy on crisis management. In 2009, he was selected by the US State Department, as part of the IV Leadership program, to visit the USA and be briefed on maritime education and shipping policy. He is a member of the Athens Bar Association and speaks Greek, English, and French.