Award (2020-2021)

–  Research award by the Operational Programme «Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning 2014- 2020» for the project “Creating and Strengthening Comparative Advantage: The Region of Thessaly – University of Thessaly Cooperation Nexus”

Scholarship (2011)

–  Scholarship provided by the MSc and PhD Program of the Department of Planning and Regional Development for the research activity of the period 2009 – 2011

Principal Investigator

• Thematic Community project of the Interreg Euro-MED Sustainable Tourism Mission. Funded by Interreg Euro-MED (2023-2029)

Member of research teams

• The impact of a Just Transition Observatory on energy transition. Exploring synergies with spatial justice and place-based governance through a comparative perspective JT-OBSERVATORY. Funded by Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI) (2024-2025)
• ESSPIN: Economic, Social and Spatial Inequalities in Europe in the Era of Global Mega-trends. Funded by Horizon Europe 2021-2027, HORIZON-CL2-2021-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-03 (2022-2025)
• HECSOs: Higher Education institutions and Civil Society Organisations together for community engagement. Funded by Erasmus+ (2022-2024)
• Green Routes – Learning about sustainable trends in European cities. Funded by Erasmus+
• Sustainable Tourism. Horizontal Project of Interreg-MED 3.1 Community on Sustainable and Responsible Tourism (2020-2022) Funded by European Union/Interreg-MED Programme
• Linking Academic Performance and Regional Performance: Creating, Empowering and Maintaining a Comparative Advantage. Funded by ERDF (2020-2021)
• CROPFEED, Creation of feed production protocols adapted to the rearing of dairy cows, Funded by General Secretariat for Research and Technology (2018-2021)
• Socio-economic status of the base area of West Patraikos, Funded by Hellenic Petroleum West Patraikos Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons SA. (HELPE) (2020)
• Costing of services and activities of OLB SA. Funded by the Volos Port Authority SA (OLB SA) (2019)
• BleuTourMed_C3, Horizontal Project of Interreg-MED 3.1 community on Sustainable and Responsible Tourism, Funded by European Union/Interreg-MED Programme (2016-2019)
• COMPASS – Comparative Analysis of Territorial Governance and Spatial Planning Systems in Europe, Funded by European Spatial Planning Observation Network – ESPON (2017)
• Action-Med, Action Plans for Integrated Regional Monitoring Programmes, Coordinated Programmes of Measures and Addressing Data and Knowledge Gaps in Mediterranean Sea. Funded by European Commission/ Directorate-General for Environment (2015-2016)
• The role and prospects of Port of Thessaloniki to the local economy under the prism of the new proposed works, Funded by Thessaloniki Port Authority (2016)
• Med-IAMER-Integrated Actions to Mitigate Environmental Risks in the Mediterranean Sea. Funded by European Union/MED (2014-2015)
• Adriatic Ionian Maritime Spatial Planning. Funded by European Commission – DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (2014-2015)
• Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for hydrocarbon research and exploitation at the Ionian Sea. Funded by Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (2014)
• Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for hydrocarbon research and exploitation at the South-Western Sea of Crete. Funded by Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (2014)
• Action plan for the development of cruise tourism in Greece and the strengthening of economic activity into the host tourist regions. Funded by Greek Ministry of Tourism (2013)
• Estimation of the regional Input-Output table of Central Greece region and evaluation of policies effect on income and employment in the region. Funded by Regional Authority of Central Greece (2011-2012)
• Study for Defining the Development Characteristics of Municipalities of Kastoria, Grevena, Kozani and Florina Prefectures. Funded by Local Authorities (2009-2010)
• Preparation of the Specialized Programming Document of Regional Operational Program ‘Thessaly – Central Greece – Epirus 2007-2013’. Funded by Regional Authority of Thessaly (2008)
• Labour Market Research and Employment Strategy in the Region of Thessaly. Funded by Regional Authority Thessaly (2008)
• Operational Programs of Prosotsani, Topirou, Plati, Feres, N. Aghialos and Platikampos Municipalities. Funded by Local Authorities (2007-2008)

• Papatheochari, T., Niavis, S. & Coccossis, H. (2024) The Footprint of Responsibility in Tourism Destinations: The Role of Governance, In Wilson, J & D. K. Muller (Eds). The Routledge Handbook of Tourism Geographies, Routledge
• Niavis, S. (2022). Examining the patterns of ministerial appointments in Greece in the pre-crisis period. The role of social, political and spatial factors in the possible formation of a ministerial elite, In T. Yiannopoulos (Ed.), “The mystery of our future”. Greece and Cyprus in the third century since the Revolution of 1821, 245-266, Liberal Books
• Niavis, S., Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S. & Vlontzos, G. (2021). Assessing the sustainability of legumes production is South Europe. In D. Bochtis, Ch. Achillas, G. Banias & M. Lampridi (Eds.), Bio-economy and Agri-technology: Concepts and evidence, 117-129, Academic Press
• Niavis, S., Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S. & Vlontzos, G. (2021). Investigating the regional efficiency disparities in arable crops production at the global level. In D. Bochtis, Ch. Achillas, G. Banias & M. Lampridi (Eds.), Bio-economy and Agri-technology: Concepts and evidence, 67-81, Academic Press
• Vlontzos, G. and Niavis, S. (2014). Assessing the evolution of Technical Efficiency of agriculture in EU countries. Is there a role for the Agenda 2000?, in C. .Zopounidis, N. Kalogeras, K. Mattas, G. Dijk and G. Baourakis (Eds), Agricultural Cooperative Management and Policy New Robust, Reliable and Coherent Modelling Tools, 339-351, New York: Springer

• Niavis, S., Kallioras, D., & Petrakos, G. (2024). The distributional characteristics of Interreg Transnational Programmes and their role in promoting regional cohesion. Papers in Regional Science, 103(6), 100057.
• Karditsa, K., Niavis, S., Paramana, T., Monioudi, I., Poulos, S., & Hatzaki, M. (2024). Is the Insular Coastal Tourism of Western Greece at Risk Due to Climate Induced Sea Level Rise?. Ocean & Coastal Management, 251
• Niavis, S., Papatheochari, T., Koutsopoulou, T., Coccossis, H., & Psycharis, Y. (2022). Considering regional challenges when prioritizing tourism policy interventions: evidence from a Mediterranean community of projects. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1-22.
• Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S., Niavis, S., Tigka, E., Moulogianni, C., Duquenne, M. N., & Vlontzos, G. (2022). Understanding consumer patterns on meat and dairy products derived from animals fed with locally produced feed. International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 18(1-2), 199-218.
• Adamakou, M., Niavis, S., Kallioras, D., & Petrakos, G. (2021). Understanding the regional engagement of universities from a stakeholders’ perspective: The case of the University of Thessaly, Greece. Sustainability, 13(19), 10565.
• Niavis, S. and Kallioras, D. (2021). The Efficiency of Tourism Sector in EU Mediterranean Coastal Regions: The Effects of Seasonality and Spatiality of Demand REGION, 8(1), 135-152.
• Niavis, S., Kallioras, D., Vlontzos, G., & Duquenne, M. N. (2021). COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown Fine Optimality. Economies, 9(1), 36
• Vlontzos, G., Niavis, S., Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S., Athanassiou, C., & Pardalos, P. (2021). Why Farmers Get Involved in Participatory Research Projects? The Case of Arable Crops Farmers in Greece. Applied Sciences, 11(1), 6.
• Niavis, S. and Papatheochari, T. (2020) Coordinating a Special Section entitled “Securing a viable path of processes towards a more sustainable and responsible tourism in the Mediterranean” in Tourism: An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 68(4).
• Niavis, S., Kyrgiakos, L. S., Kleisiari, C. and Vlontzos, G. (2020). What Drives Farmers’ Decisions to Invest? The Role of Research Engagement, Information Collection and Type of Farm, International Journal on Food System Dynamics, 11(3), 241-257
• Kyrgiakos, L. S., Kleisiari, C., and Niavis, S. (2020). Assessing the high protein crops wider diffusion in the European agricultural sector. The role and prospects of legumes. International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 6(3), 288-317.
• Niavis, S. (2020). Evaluating the spatiotemporal performance of tourist destinations: the case of Mediterranean coastal regions. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 28(9), 1310-1331.
• Tsiotas, D., Niavis, S., Polyzos, S. & Papageorgiou, A. (2020). Developing indicators for capturing the airports dynamics in regional and tourism development: Evidence from Greece. Journal of air transport studies, 11(1), 31-46
• Niavis, S. and Tsiotas, D. (2019). Assessing the tourism performance of the Mediterranean coastal destinations: a combined efficiency and effectiveness approach. Journal of Destination Marketing and Management, 14, 100379
• Niavis, S., and Vlontzos, G. (2019) ‘Seeking for Convergence in the Agricultural Sector Performance under the Changes of Uruguay Round and 1992 CAP Reform’. Sustainability, 11(15), 4006
• Niavis, S., Papatheochari, T., Psycharis, Y., Rodriguez, J., Font, X., and Martinez Codina, A. (2019) ‘Conceptualising Tourism Sustainability and Operationalising Its Assessment: Evidence from a Mediterranean Community of Projects’. Sustainability, 11(15), 4042.
• Niavis, S., Papatheochari, T. and Coccossis, H. (2019). Supporting stakeholder analysis within ICZM process in small and medium-sized Mediterranean coastal cities with the use of Q-Method, Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, 14:1, 53-74
• Niavis, S. (2019). [Evaluating the effect of internal and external factors on the competitiveness of cruise ports], Aeihoros, 28, 157-181 (In Greek)
• Tsiotas, D., Geraki, M. and Niavis, S. (2019). [Transportation networks and their significance to economic development]. Aeihoros, 28, 98-156 (In Greek)
• Niavis, S. and Tsiotas, D. (2018). Decomposing the price of the cruise product into tourism and transport attributes: evidence from the Mediterranean market, Tourism Management, 67C, 98-110
• Tsiotas, D., Niavis, S. and Sdrolias, L. (2018). Operational and geographical dynamics of ports in the topology of cruise networks: the case of Mediterranean, Journal of Transport Geography, 72, 23-35.
• Niavis, S., Tamvakis, N., Manos, B. and Vlontzos, G. (2018). Assessing and Explaining the Efficiency of Extensive Olive Oil Farmers: The Case of Pelion Peninsula in Greece, Agriculture, 8(2), 25.
• Vlontzos, G., Niavis, S. and Pardalos, P. (2017). Testing for Environmental Kuznets Curve in the EU Agricultural Sector through an Eco-(in)Efficiency Index, Energies, 10(12), 1992
• Vlontzos, G. Duquenne, M.N. and Niavis, S. (2017). Is Binge Drinking Prevalent in Greece after the Emergence of the Economic Crisis? Assessment of This Idea Using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Beverages, 3(1), 3.
• Niavis, S., Papatheochari, T., Kyratsoulis, T., and Coccossis, H. (2017). Revealing the potential of maritime transport for ‘Blue Economy’ in the Adriatic-Ionian Region, Case Studies on Transport Policy, 5(2), 380-388
• Coccossis, H., Delladetsimas, P. – M. and S. (2017). The challenge of incorporating smart city activities in medium-size cities: the case of Greece, International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 23(5/6), 381-402.
• Vlontzos, G., Niavis, S. and Duquenne, M.,N. (2016). Evaluating consumer beliefs for traditional and localized foodstuff under economic stress, International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2(2-4), 174-192
• Niavis, S. and Vaggelas, G. (2016). An empirical model for assessing the effect of ports’ and hinterlands’ characteristics on homeports’ potential. The case of Mediterranean ports’, Maritime Business Review, 1(3), 186 – 207.
• Niavis S., Papatheochari, T. and Coccossis H. (2016) [Exploring the socioeconomic dimensions within the link of Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management: The case of the Adriatic-Ionian region], Aeihoros, 23, 64-87 (In Greek)
• Polyzos, S., Tsiotas, D. and Niavis, S. (2015). Analyzing the location decisions of agro-industrial investments in Greece, International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Information Systems, 6(2), 77-100
• Vlontzos, G., Niavis, S. and Manos, B. (2014). A DEA approach for estimating the agricultural energy and environmental efficiency of EU countries, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 40, 91-96
• Vlontzos, G., Niavis, S. and Duquenne, M.-N. (2014). Introduction of the market of Tsipouro, a Greek Traditional Liquor, Precursor of Ouzo, International Journal of Euro-Mediterranean Studies, 7, 175-188
• Polyzos, S. and Niavis, S. (2013). Spatial Analysis of Religious Tourism in Greece, Tourism Today, 13, 79-93
• Pnevmatikos, T., Niavis S. and Polyzos, S. (2013). Regional multipliers and economic crisis: the case of Greek economy, MIBES Transactions, 7(1), 79-91
• Polyzos, S. and Niavis S. (2013). Evaluating port efficiency in the Mediterranean, Int. J. Data Analysis Techniques and Strategies, 5(1), 84-100
• Polyzos, S., Minetos, D. and Niavis, S. (2013). Driving factors and empirical analysis of urban sprawl in Greece, Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, 8(1), 5-29
• Niavis, S. and Tsekeris, T. (2012). Ranking and causes of inefficiency of container seaports in South-Eastern Europe, European Transport Research Review, 4(4), 235-244
• Polyzos, S., Niavis, S. and Pnevmatikos, T. (2012), Longitudinal Evaluation of Greek Regional Policies Using Window Data Envelopment Analysis, MIBES Transactions, 6(1), 53-65

• Papatheochari, T., Koutsopoulou, A, Moloni, P, Niavis, S. (2023). From an Integrated Tourism Model to a Place Branding Strategy. Perspectives of Mediterranean Tourism Experts. 10^th Anniversary International Conference on Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism (ICSIMAT), Zakynthos, 22-26 September 2023, pp. 995-1004
• Papatheochari, T., Koutsopoulou, A, Niavis, S. & Coccossis, H. (2023). Linking tourism-related types of Mediterranean destinations with the cohesion policy objectives. The case of Interreg MED. 62nd ERSA Congress Urban Challenges and Sustainable Technological Revolution, G36 – O1 Tourism and Overtourism Issues, 28 August-01 September 2023
• Papatheochari, T., Niavis, S., Koutsopoulou, A & Coccossis, H. (2022). Coastal tourism destinations as spaces of local identity and culture. Depictions from Mediterranean projects. Changing Cities V: Spatial, Design, Landscape, Heritage and Socioeconomic dimensions, Corfu, Greece, 20 – 25 June 2022
• Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S., Niavis, S., & Vlontzos, G. (2021). Children nutrition in the Mediterranean basin: A comparative case study between Spain and Greece. Proceedings in Food System Dynamics, 214-221.
• Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S., Niavis, S., & Vlontzos, G. (2021). Children nutrition in the Mediterranean basin: A comparative case study between Spain and Greece. Proceedings in Food System Dynamics, 214-221.
• Papatheochari, T., Niavis, S., Koutsopoulou, T. and Coccossis, H. (2021). The responsibility in tourism management: A Mediterranean Perspective, Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality Management, 5-6 June 2021
• Niavis, S., Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S., & Vlontzos, G. (2020). Investigating the Varying Effect of Attitudes, Behavior and Socioeconomic Charactersitics on the Investment Behavior of Arable Crop and Tree Farmers. Proceedings in Food System Dynamics, 125-133
• Niavis, S., Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S., & Vlontzos, G. (2019). Assessing the Efficiency of Arable Crops Production in a Cross-National Context. 12th EFITA-HAICTA-WCCA CONGRESS, Rhodes, Greece, 27-29 June 2019.
• Niavis, S., Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. S., & Vlontzos, G. (2019). Assessing the feasibility of soybean substitution with alternative leguminous crops for southeast European countries. XXXVIII CIOSTA & CIGR V International Conference, Rhodes Island, Greece, 24-26 June 2019.
• Niavis, S., Tsiotas, D., (2019). Assessing the competitiveness of Greek coastal destinations. International Conference on Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism (ICSIMAT 2019), Chios, Greece, 17-21 July 2019.
• Tsiotas, D., Niavis, S., Belias, D., Sdrolias, L., (2019). What can the TripAdvisor tell us about the complaints management strategies? The case of the Greek hotels. International Conference on Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism (ICSIMAT 2019), Chios, Greece, 17-21 July 2019.
• Niavis S., Belias D., Tsiotas D. (2020). The Contribution of Wine Tourism in the Development of Rural Areas in North Greece. International Conference on Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism (ICSIMAT 2019), Chios, Greece, 17-21 July 2019.
• Niavis, S., Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. and Vlontzos, G. (2019). Assessing the efficiency of arable crops production in a cross-national context, 12th EFITA-HAICTA-WCCA CONGRESS, Rhodes, Greece, 27-29 June 2019
• Niavis, S., Kleisiari, C., Kyrgiakos, L. and Vlontzos, G. (2019). Assessing the feasibility of soybean substitution with alternative leguminous crops for southeast European countries. XXXVIII CIOSTA & CIGR V International Conference, Rhodes Island, Greece, June 24-26, 2019
• Tsiotas, D., Niavis, S. and Polyzos, S., (2018). The Dynamics of Small and Peripheral Airports in Tourism and Regional Development: The Case of Greece, International Conference on Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism (IC-SIMAT 2018), Athens – Greece, 17-20 October 2018
• Tsiotas, D., Niavis, S., Belias, D., Sdrolias, L., (2018). Modeling the International Tourism Demand as a Complex Network: The Case of the Global Inbound Tourism Market, International Conference on Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism (IC-SIMAT 2018), Athens- Greece, 17-20 October 2018
• Niavis, S., Polyzos, S., Diso, S., Karelos, C. and Chatzikosti, E. (2018). [Using the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to evaluate alternative forms of port operation based on their contribution to the local community. The case of the port of Volos], Proceedings of the 16th Regular Conference of the Hellenic Section of the European Society of Regional Science, Athens, Greece, 22-23 July 2020, (In Greek)
• Echave, C., Palladus, A., Boy-Roura, M., Cacciutolo, M., Niavis, S., Grassi, R., Boulanger, A., Papatheochari, TH., Čeh, D., Ponsá, S., Massabo, B. (2018) ‘Boosting Rural Areas Revitalization in the Mediterranean through cross-cutting approach based on ecological and social resilience’, Green Urbanism (GU) – 2nd Edition | IEREK Conference, Rome, Italy, 5-6 December 2018
• Polyzos, S., Giannopoulos, H. and Niavis, S. (2015). [Using DEA to evaluate the efficiency of Western Macedonia Region’s Technical Services], Proceedings of the 4^th National Conference of Planning and Regional Development, Volos, 24-27 September 2015, (In Greek)
• Niavis, S., Polyzos, S. and Pnevmatikos, T. (2012). [Evaluation of the competitiveness of Greek prefectures using the Context Depended Data Envelopment Analysis], Proceedings of 3rd National Conference of Planning and Regional Development, Volos, Greece, 1056-1062, (In Greek)
• Pnevmatikos, T., Polyzos, S. and Niavis, S. (2012). [Analysis of structural changes in the Greek economy in the period 1995-2010 using input – output analysis] Proceedings of 3rd National Conference of Planning and Regional Development, Volos, Greece, 1049-1055, (In Greek)
• Niavis S. and Polyzos S. (2009). [South-Eastern ports: Evaluation of the factors influencing container transport volumes], Proceedings of 2nd National Conference of Planning and Regional Development, Volos, Greece, 205-213, (In Greek)
• Polyzos S. and Niavis S. (2008). [The Prospects of Combination of Rail and Maritime Transport in Greece], 9th National Conference of Greek part of ERSA: “Urban Development in Europe and Greece”, 17-18 October, Athens, Greece (In Greek)
• Polyzos, S., Niavis, S. and Minetos D. (2008). The ports of North Greece and their importance for the Economic Development of South-Eastern Europe, 4th International Conference of ASECU: Development

• Niavis, S., Koutsopoulou, T., Papatheochari, T., Coccossis, H. (2018). [Proposal for a Mediterranean Coastal Torusim Destinations Typology[. 4^th Panhellenic Conference of Planning and Regional Development, Volos, 27-30 September 2018, (In Greek)
• Coccossis, H., Papatheochari, T., Kyratsoulis, T., Niavis, S., Malak, D.-A., Schröder, C. & Sanchez, T. (2015). Socio-economic and environmental maritime drivers in the Adriatic-Ionian region and their connection to the legal and policy framework. 9th International Conference on Planning, Law, and Property rights, Volos, Greece, 25-27 February 2015,
• Niavis S. & Tsekeris, T. (2011). Benchmarking and explaining the efficiency of container ports in South-Eastern Europe, European Conference on Shipping Intermodalism and Ports ECONSHIP 2011, International Association of Maritime Economists, Chios, Greece, 22-24 June, University of Aegean,
• Niavis, S., Polyzos, S. & Pnevmatikos, T. (2011). Evaluating the Efficiency of Greek Prefectures by Using Data Envelopment Analysis. 9th International Conference on Data Envelopment Analysis, Thessaloniki, Greece, 24-27 August 2011

Other work