LSEE is a research unit established within LSE's European Institute with the aim of developing the School's expertise on South East Europe. Drawing on the strength of existing and new academic expertise at the LSE, and complementing the work of the Hellenic Observatory and the Contemporary Turkish Studies Programme, LSEE aims to provide a significant platform on which to build high quality, independent research and facilitate public dialogue and dissemination of information on the region. 

LSEE was officially launched at the start of the 2009-10 academic year by Professor Kevin Featherstone, Professor Şevket Pamuk, Dr Spyros Economides, and Dr Vassilis Monastiriotis. Two new research fellows, Dr James Ker-Lindsay, Eurobank EFG Senior Fellow on the Politics of SE Europe, and Dr William Bartlett, Senior Research Fellow on the Political Economy of South East Europe, joined LSEE soon after. The unit also has a team of two dedicated administrative staff: Ismini Demades, LSEE Manager, and Cristina Maza, LSEE Administrator.

LSEE is closely affiliated to two other research units at the European Institute