Washington University in St. Louis is proud to announce that Dr. Christopher “Chris” Erdman, Assistant Professor in the John and Penelope Biggs Department of Classics, has been honored with the 2025 Winifred and Louis Lancaster Dissertation Award for Humanities and Fine Arts. The accolade recognizes his groundbreaking doctoral research at UC Santa Barbara, Voting Culture and Political Theater in Late Republican Lawmaking .
Erdman earned his PhD in Classics (Ancient History emphasis) at UCSB in 2024 and began his tenure at WashU in Fall 2024. His appointment followed a prestigious Arthur Ross Rome Prize Fellowship at the American Academy in Rome, as well as his tenure as the Jacobi Student in Munich.
In his research, Erdman provides fresh insights into how theatrical and performative elements shaped Roman legislative behavior in the post‑Gracchan Republic. His work includes a forthcoming article in Historia (2024) about how voting proposals were communicated to citizens.
At WashU, Erdman teaches both undergraduate and graduate seminars, including “Ancient History: Roman Republic” and “Intro to Latin Literature I” for Fall 2025 He is also currently conducting further field research in Italy for his upcoming monograph, supported by a Penelope Biggs Travel Award from the Classics Department.
Upon receiving the Lancaster Award, Erdman shared that he initially “assumed the decisions had been made already,” but was soon filled with “happiness and excitement… gratification that my hard work had paid off” He credited his dissertation committee—particularly UCSB’s Robert Morstein‑Marx—for challenging and refining his ideas at every turn.
About Chris Erdman
Education: BA in Classics, Cornell University (magna cum laude, 2017); PhD from UCSB (2024)
Fellowships: Arthur Ross Rome Prize (American Academy in Rome); Jacobi Student (Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Munich)
Research & Teaching: Focuses on Roman political culture, law, and epigraphy; courses taught at WashU include “Roman Republic” and “Latin Literature”
About the Lancaster Dissertation Award
Sponsored by UCSB’s Graduate Division, the Winifred and Louis Lancaster Award recognizes two exemplary doctoral dissertations annually—one each in the sciences and humanities/fine arts—with winners receiving a $1,000 prize and commendation at commencement.
