Graduate Profiles
Boris Chrubasik
Ancient History Postgraduate, July 2011
Reading for a postgraduate degree in Ancient History in the Faculty of Classics was a unique opportunity for me. I studied History and English
for three years at the University of Konstanz, Germany, before I joined the Classics Faculty as a visiting student. After reading for the MSt.
in Greek and Roman History in the following year, I decided to stay for the DPhil. The large number of faculty post holders and the excellent
library provisions make it possible to pursue a large number of different fields of research. My thesis examines epigraphic, literary and
iconographic evidence in the Hellenistic east from Turkey to modern-day Iran, and the library provisions are exceptional.
Being an international student, I particularly value the varied cultural backgrounds of my postgraduate peers who all bring different impulses
and interests. Although the broad scholarly work of the faculty translates into a wide spectrum of graduate work, it is the varied research
interests of faculty and students that makes our community so lively and enriching.
Hannah Cornwell
Ancient History Postgraduate, July 2011
I studied Classics at Oxford as an undergraduate and it may not seem a very imaginative leap to move to graduate work here, but I enjoyed
it so much that I decided in the end to remain at Oxford. After my Masters I took time out from academic work, but applied to study for a
Doctorate in Ancient History at Oxford because I knew that the faculty has a really strong graduate body, and I enjoyed working there. I am
now in my third year as a Doctoral student, working on the role of peace within Roman victory rhetoric of the late Republic and early Principate.
As part of my research I have been able travel abroad thanks to the Craven Committee and the support of the faculty.
The large size of the faculty means that it is usually quite easy to discuss your research with an expert in a particular field. I have been
fortunate to have a good deal of involvement in the faculty, particularly as one of the convenors of graduate work-in-progress, which is a great
way of finding out what other graduates are working on, and who you might want to discuss your own work with – and there is always good discussion
over wine afterwards! You can normally guarantee to find people in the Faculty Common-room for coffee or at lunch, and I often come away from
these with some excellent suggestions for reading and research.
Lucy Jackson
Language and Literature Postgraduate, August 2011
Studying at one of the largest Classics faculties in the world – what could be better? I’ve just completed the first year of a PhD in Classical
Languages and Literature, investigating the Greek chorus in the fourth century BC. It’s a topic that sits on the fringes of some very well
researched areas and requires access to a range of sources – epigraphy, literature, history and papyri. Being at a university with its own
experts in each of these fields and with particular expertise in the late classical period has meant I feel really supported in my research.
If you’ve come straight from a smaller classics department, as I did, the huge numbers of fellow graduate students can seem a bit daunting.
It does mean, however, that there are more people who are likely to share your interests and won’t mind batting the odd idea around with you,
something that I’ve really benefited from in the first year of my PhD. The different seminars that happen across the faculty (broadly
focussing on language, history or philosophy) mean you get to meet different groups of graduates and the friendly ‘Work-in-Progress’ seminars
are great for giving you a smaller community to get to know, as well as providing the chance to test out your presentation skills.
It’s these smaller communities within the faculty of Classics that have made my first year so positive. By replying to one of the regular
emails advertising reading groups and classes (all pretty informal and relaxed), I’ve got to know some fellow tragedy enthusiasts and we’ll
be carrying on the reading group next term. And there’s always your college for when you need some non-Classics related relaxation!
Christopher Metcalf
Language and Literature Postgraduate, July 2011
My D.Phil thesis has to do with early Greek poetry and its possible connections to the literature of the Ancient Near East. I started as an
undergraduate in Edinburgh (MA Classics) before coming to Oxford four years ago, initially to study Sumerian and Akkadian at the Oriental
Institute (MPhil Oriental Studies). It was only in the course of the MPhil that I realised that I could combine both subjects in a Classics
DPhil, and after making contact with some members of the faculty I decided to apply. The Classics faculty at Oxford has been most generous and
accommodating, allowing me to work both on Greek and on Near Eastern material, and has supported me in many ways – e.g. in my attendance of
arcane language classes.
Oxford probably offers the best possible resources for this kind of study. The Bodleian and Sackler libraries provide access to every conceivable
and inconceivable book or journal relating to antiquity. Since they attract visitors from all over the world, the libraries have also proved to be
an excellent place to meet other people. In Oxford the faculty is so large that one is bound to come into contact with experts with similar
interests; the same goes for the graduate students. Many lectures and seminars help to broaden the narrow perspective which can result from
thesis-writing, and the tone is always friendly and approachable.
Eleanor Reeve
Language and Literature Postgraduate, July 2011
I first studied classics as an undergraduate at Oxford, during the course of my BA I became increasingly interested in the
Latin language and its literature - particularly in the texts of the pre-classical period. After graduating I spent some
time working in Italy, before returning to Oxford for the MSt and I am about to commence first year of the DPhil. My thesis
looks at Cato the Elder and his role in the development of Latin literature and Roman identity.
Above all it is the size and diversity of the faculty which make Oxford such a brilliant place to study classics. Regardless
of your research area, there is always someone to ask questions of and with whom to exchange ideas. The libraries, too, are
excellent. Both the Old Bodleian and the Sackler library provide a wealth of resources and offer rather beautiful working
environments. I have especially valued the unique opportunities which Oxford offers to listen to a variety of visiting speakers,
both within the field of classics and in other disciplines. The different fora available for presenting your own research have also
been particularly helpful. The sub-faculty ‘work in progress’ sessions and seminars, along with various college groups and colloquia
provide a range of occasions and audiences in which to evaluate your ideas and develop confidence as a speaker. The faculty fosters a
strong sense of community, which is generally built over coffee and wine at the different graduate seminars and events.
The richness of resources and the diverse community of the staff and students make Oxford a most rewarding place to conduct research
and develop as an academic.
Andrew Stiles
Ancient History Postgraduate, July 2011
Prior to coming to Oxford, I completed a BA (Hons) and an MPhil at the University of Sydney. I was very fortunate to receive a Clarendon
Scholarship which has enabled me to pursue a DPhil here. My thesis examines a range of conceptions of the future in the principates of Augustus
and Tiberius, and for most of this year I have been working on the role of hope as a political/religious/social idea.
Studying Ancient History in the Faculty of Classics has been a wonderful experience. It is well known that Oxford has a large, distinguished
faculty and excellent libraries. This enables you to get on with the research, and develop your ideas through conversations with specialists in
your area - there will very likely be quite a number of people whose research interests overlap with your own. Less well known is that there is
also a friendly community of graduate students who come from all over the world, and the work-in-progress seminar series is a good place to
connect with others socially as well as academically. Furthermore, there are so many seminars, workshops and conferences involving scholars of
international repute, that you could quite easily go along to something useful every day of the week. College life and various societies add a
great deal to the experience of being a graduate at Oxford, and I have found that this has led to some unexpected and productive
‘interdisciplinary’ conversations. A recent research trip overseas was made possible by the Faculty of Classics through the Craven Fund, and
through my college. The opportunities here are endless, whatever aspects of the ancient world you wish to investigate.
© C@O 2011: Classics at Oxford, Faculty of Classics. Webmaster. Last updated:
August 2, 2011.
Ioannou Centre for Classical and Byzantine Studies, 66 St Giles', Oxford, OX1 3LU.
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