Zisis Fotakis was born in Volos, Greece. He is a graduate of Athens University (BA in History, 1995) and Oxford University (M.Sc. in Economic and Social History, 1997 and Ph.D. in Naval History, 2003). His monograph "Greek Naval Strategy and Policy, 1910-1919" (Routledge: London and New York, 2005) was favorably reviewed by eminent naval historians (i.e. Professors Lambert, Rodger, Halpern, Glete, etc.).

 He has extensively written on Greek Naval History and has received several international distinctions (Fulbright Research Scholarship, Caird Junior Research Fellowship, etc.).

Dr Fotakis has taught various aspects of modern European and Greek history as a fixed-term lecturer in Greek universities; since June 2010, he is a lecturer in Naval History at the Hellenic Naval Academy.