Out Of The Comb
Not all colonies managed by our Out Of The Comb research team are used exclusively for experiments. Each summer, our team harvests honey from our productive colonies with the help of students and volunteers. This special process strengthens cooperation and a sense of community within our laboratory.
Despite our relatively small production, honey is traditionally distributed to harvest participants, the University administration and social support organisations. In 2025, thanks to a sufficient harvest, we offered our honey to the wider academic community for the first time. A limited number of jars under the name “BEE UNIq” were made available within the University, with demand exceeding all our expectations.
However, we chose to donate most of the harvest, offering practical support to social organisations and collective solidarity initiatives. We donated our honey to Kinoniko EKAV (Social Emergency Aid), supporting its work with people at risk, facing social exclusion or lacking the means for a dignified life, and to the Solidarity Crew, supporting its collective cooking and food distribution on city streets.
The honey donation also led to a particularly meaningful meeting with the people working in education and training at the Avlona Special Detention Facility for Young People. Accompanied by the Rector of AUA, Professor Spyridon Kintzios, we toured the school and discussed the importance of meaningful vocational training as a foundation for prisoners’ future social reintegration.