Aggelos Kiayias
Aggelos Kiayias researches applied cryptography, privacy, distributed systems, and blockchain technologies; in October 2026, he joined a digital-finance discussion at an event whose wider programme examined AI and frontier technologies in financial services. He studied mathematics at the University of Athens, earned a PhD at the City University of New York in 2002, and held academic posts in Connecticut and Athens. His 2016 paper Ouroboros introduced a proof-of-stake blockchain protocol with rigorous security guarantees. The BCS Lovelace Medal and fellowships from ACM and IACR recognized his work from 2024 to 2026. As of October 2026, he is Chair in Cyber Security and Privacy and director of Edinburgh's Blockchain Technology Laboratory, and Chief Scientist at Input Output.
- Now at
- University of Edinburgh and Input Output
- Works
- 390
- Citations
- 17,855
- h-index
- 51
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.
Timeline
-
1996–2002
Mathematics and a doctorate
He earns a BSc in mathematics at the University of Athens in 1996, an MPhil at the City University of New York in 2001, and a PhD there in 2002.
-
2002–2016
Academic posts in Connecticut and Athens
He serves as an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut from 2002 to 2008, then as a tenured associate professor there from 2008 to 2014, including leave at the University of Athens from 2009 to 2014. In 2014, he takes a tenured associate professorship at Athens through 2016.
-
2016
Ouroboros proof of stake
His research spans applied cryptography, privacy, and distributed systems. In 2016, he and three coauthors publish Ouroboros, the first blockchain protocol based on proof of stake with rigorous security guarantees.
-
2017
Opening Edinburgh's blockchain lab
The University of Edinburgh and IOHK launch the Blockchain Technology Laboratory in 2017. Kiayias directs the lab, holds Edinburgh's chair in Cyber Security and Privacy, and serves as IOHK's chief scientist.
-
2024
The BCS Lovelace Medal
He receives the BCS Lovelace Medal in 2024 for contributions to the theory and practice of cyber security and cryptography.
-
2025
An ACM Fellowship
ACM names him a 2025 Fellow for his contributions to the principles and practice of cyber security and cryptography.
-
2026
An IACR Fellowship
The IACR names him a 2026 Fellow for contributions to cryptographic designs, blockchain science and implementations, education leadership, and service.
-
As of October 2026
Edinburgh chair and IO scientist
As of October 2026, he is Chair in Cyber Security and Privacy and director of the Blockchain Technology Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh, and Chief Scientist at Input Output. In October 2026, he joins a discussion on digital finance at the FinTech Scotland Festival; the event's wider programme examines how AI and frontier technologies are reshaping financial services.
Sources and credits
Photo: We have no published photo of Aggelos Kiayias yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.
- Kiayias Aggelos | Τμήμα Πληροφορικής και Τηλεπικοινωνιών ΕΚΠΑ
- Prof. Aggelos Kiayias - University of Edinburgh
- Academy of Europe: Kiayias Aggelos
- Ouroboros: A Provably Secure Proof-of-Stake Blockchain Protocol
- Beyond Bitcoin - IOHK and University of Edinburgh establish Blockchain Technology Laboratory
- Dr Sue Sentance, Professor Aggelos Kiayias and Professor Philippa Gardner recipients of prestigious computing award - BCS Lovelace Medal 2024
- Professor Aggelos Kiayias named 2025 ACM Fellow
- Defining the frontiers of cryptography: Professor Aggelos Kiayias recognized as 2026 IACR Fellow
- Aggelos Kiayias joins discussion on the future of digital finance