Nikiforos Diamantouros graduated from Athens College in 1961. He holds a PhD from the University of Columbia (1972), is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Athens and since 2012 a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe (Bruges). From 2003 to 2013 he was the Ombudsman of the European Union, and from 1998 to 2003 the first National Ombudsman of Greece as well as Director and Board Chairman of the Greek National Center for Social Research (EKKE).  In 2014, he was elected member of the Academy of Athens and in 2016, he was appointed member of the Advisory Committee to the New Pact for Europe, which is chaired by Herman van Rompuy. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Panteion University in 2015 and by the American College of Greece in 2011. 

He has been decorated by the Presidents of France (Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur 2014), of Poland (Golden Cross of Merit 2010), and of Greece (Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix 2004).  His most recent publications focus on democracy, the rule of law, the institution of ombudsman, public administration, and the relationship between politics and culture. Between 1978 and 1983, he served as αssistant to the President of Athens College and Director of the Development Office.