Faculty, students, and alumni from Washington University in St. Louis’s Department of Classics are actively contributing to the 2025 annual meetings of the Society for Classical Studies (SCS) and the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). This year’s conferences, renowned for bringing together leading scholars in Classics and Archaeology, showcase WashU’s continued commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
Faculty Contributions
At the SCS meeting, two distinguished WashU scholars will present their research:
Kathryn Wilson, Assistant Professor of Classics, will deliver her paper titled "Body of Work: Women, Labor, and Other Things in Greek Epigram." Her presentation explores themes of gender and labor in Greek poetry, offering fresh insights into the representation of women and their roles in ancient literature.
Rebecca Sears, Assistant Professor of Classics, will present "Phrygio numero: Musical Multimodality as Intermediality in Republican Latin Poetry." Her work investigates the intersections of music and literature in ancient Rome, highlighting the nuanced ways in which musical forms influenced poetic expression.
Meanwhile, at the AIA meeting, WashU’s Susan Rotroff, Professor Emerita of Classics, will present her research on a significant archaeological discovery. Her paper, "Digging Deeper: A New Pyre at the Athenian Agora," sheds light on burial practices in ancient Athens, providing valuable context for understanding civic and ritual activities in the Classical period.
Undergraduate Involvement
WashU undergraduate Classics major Vedul Palavajjhala will also attend the meetings to deepen their knowledge of digital Classics and engage with scholars working on cutting-edge digital projects. Palavajjhala’s participation is supported by the department’s Suzanne Mizera and James Risch Fund, highlighting WashU’s commitment to fostering undergraduate research and professional development.
A Welcoming Reception
In addition to academic presentations, the WashU Classics department will co-host a reception with the University of Illinois and the University of Missouri. This event, open to all attendees, provides an opportunity for networking and celebrating the vibrant community of scholars in the Midwest and beyond.
National Recognition for WashU Classics
The participation of WashU faculty and students in these prestigious meetings underscores the department’s leadership in the fields of Classics and Archaeology. From innovative research on ancient texts and music to groundbreaking archaeological discoveries, WashU continues to contribute to the advancement of Classical studies on an international stage.
For more details, visit the official program.
