In Summer 2021, we interviewed current students, staff members and alumni for the Regional Classics podcast, which captures the experiences and perspectives of Oxford Classicists, past and present, from regional areas that have traditionally been underrepresented within the Faculty: namely, the North and South-West of England, the Midlands, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Many of these areas have also been identified as experiencing ‘Classics poverty’ – that is, a lack of access to Classical subjects in schools. We want to help to change this and show that if you want to study the ancient world (any aspect – politics, history, art, science, culture, literature and much more), you don’t need to have a ‘certain type’ of background. Oxford offers a range of courses many of which do not require prior study of the ancient world and certainly not ancient languages!
| # | Episode Title | Description | People | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Episode 7: Everywhere | In this final episode, Katrina talks to Leo, Alice and Aimee about how Oxford has nurtured their passion for the ancient world, what connects Lizzo to Classics, and how understanding the past can be a force for good. | Aimee Cousins, Leo Kershaw, Alice Main, Katrina Kelly | 18 Feb 2022 | |
| 6 | Episode 6: Wales | This episode features Boudica, a tortoise, Pegasus and Chris Martin, and that’s before we meet our panellists! | Reem Ahmed, Lewys Griffiths, Ellie Williams, Katrina Kelly | 17 Dec 2021 | |
| 5 | Episode 5: The North of England | In this episode, we discuss Classics and employability, the tremendous breadth of the discipline, the thrill of philosophy, and how you can discover what fascinates you. | Cristina Chui, Llewelyn Morgan, Amy Thompson, Katrina Kelly | 01 Nov 2021 | |
| 4 | Episode 4: Midlands | In this episode, we talk about coming to Classics without any ancient languages; Bertie’s first love and how Classics took her into the world of Facebook… | Alexander Moore, Eleanor Newman, Roberta Thomson, Katrina Kelly | 06 Oct 2021 | |
| 3 | Episode 3: South West England | In this episode, we discover what links Virgil to Devon, why Classics is relevant today, Justin’s love for languages, which transferable skills Classics gives you, and why, in Molly’s view, Classics and English is the best degree available in Oxford! | Rebecca Armstrong, Molly Gibson-Mee, Justin Vyvyan-Jones, Katrina Kelly | 20 Sep 2021 | |
| 2 | Episode 2: Scotland | We talk about the Classics Admissions Test, growing up in Fife, Jess’ work with the Clydeside Project, things that get into a ‘fankle’ (Arlene explains all!), and how we’d love for more teachers to teach Classics in Scotland! | Bill Allan, Jessica Curry, Arlene Holmes-Henderson, Katrina Kelly | 13 Sep 2021 | |
| 1 | Episode 1: Northern Ireland | We talk about what ‘Classics’ really means and its place in the 21st century; we discuss Greek vases, ‘Irish modesty’, provincial art, the Sogdians; and we highlight the particular barriers that Northern Irish students may face, and how to overcome them! | Sarah Cullinan Herring, Jenyth Evans, Peter Stewart | 31 Aug 2021 |