Dr Steph Holton

Biography

My research focuses on ancient thought - especially the interactions between literature, philosophy, and medicine in the Archaic to Classical period. I am particularly interested in the activities of the soul both during and after its time in the physical body, as well as matters of sensory perception, epistemology, and psychological phenomena. My most recent monograph Sleep and Dreams in Early Greek Thought: Presocratic and Hippocratic Approaches places the theories of the Presocratics and Hippocratics on both phenomena within their full cultural and intellectual context for the first time. I continue to work on ancient ideas about sleep and dreams alongside newer projects on death, the afterlife, and the body across both the Greek and Roman worlds.

I also actively work on a number of pedagogy and outreach projects, especially around the accessibility of ancient languages. I previously undertook a three-year funded project ('Applied Ancient Languages') in which I researched and implemented alternative pathways, learning activities, and assessment for post-intermediate Latin and Ancient Greek. My current projects build on this to explore language acquisition and co-created learning opportunities in different contexts, including at museums and in home education settings.

I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students who would like to work in any of these areas. (You can find more information about how to do this on the Classical Studies Postgraduate Research Applications page.) 

My teaching interests are wide and varied, and I have extensive experience in the successful design and delivery of Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Studies, and Ancient Philosophy modules across all levels of undergraduate and postgraduate study. At Newcastle, I designed and led over twenty modules including the award-winning research-led options 'Dreams and Dreaming in the Ancient World' & 'Exploring the Underworld' as well as text seminars on Homer, Greek tragedy, the Hippocratic Corpus, Plato, and Lucretius. I also contributed to teaching in English Literature and Archaeology. In recognition of my services to teaching and student success at Newcastle, I was very fortunate to receive the individual Vice Chancellor's Education Excellence Award.

I often deliver curricular and extra-curricular workshops for Primary and Secondary schools and home education groups, as well as CPD on ancient world topics for teachers and museums. I also enjoy teaching at summer schools - especially at home for the Belfast Summer School in Classics.

At the OU I am currently involved in A112 Cultures, A276 Classical Latin, and A340 The Roman Empire.

A large part of my professional career is devoted to outreach and public engagement, and I often work in collaboration with local schools, arts and heritage partners, museums, and national charities. I have extensive experience designing and facilitating creative public workshops for adults and children: recent projects have included investigating local Roman history through inscriptions, creating anatomical votives for Asclepius, journeying through the Underworld, adventuring in the Ancient Egyptian afterlife, and even an evening of Ancient Greek necromancy.

I recently designed and curated my first solo museum exhibition, PSYCHE: Where does the soul go?, which combined ancient objects and creative practice to playfully explore the question of life after death. I always enjoy delivering public lectures for a wide variety of audiences across the UK and further afield. If you have an classically-themed project, talk, or workshop you'd like to discuss, please do get in touch!

• Classical Association Teaching Board: Subject Advisory Group
• External Examiner for Greek Language and Literature, University of Manchester
• Hadrian’s Wall Learning & Engagement Forum member
• Group for Education in Museums
• International Association for Presocratic Studies 
• International Association for the Study of Dreams