Lydia Stergiopoulou is a researcher at the Department of Sustainable Development of ICRE8 and lead scientist for the RECONNECT (Interreg Balkan-Med) project. She holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor in Economics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Lydia works as a volunteer in field studies at the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, her previous position was at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research on Blue Energy and has in depth experience in Blue Growth and Blue Economy.  Her research interests focus on natural and cultural ecosystem services valuation, blue tourism and sustainable development.