Working

Classicists

Awards

The Winners 2024

Chella embodies the values of Working Classicists in every way. She is bold, and not afraid to break with tradition. In co-founding Critical Ancient World Studies, Chella has been audacious in questioning the very foundations of Classics as an academic field, examining how it might better serve the needs of a wider and more inclusive community.


In her passionate campaigning for the rights of Palestinians, and for acknowledging the genocide that is happening to them, Chella has also earned the ire of fellow scholars. She has been unwavering in her stance that the study of the ancient world cannot be apolitical, and that scholars from across the world deserve as much respect as those who share our own soil. Few Classicists have had to endure the accusations that Chella has received this year, be it in academic online spaces, hostile book reviews, or callous op-eds, purely for advocating for marginalised and persecuted people as a part of her valued work.

It is clear to us that the field must change, and Chella is posing difficult questions and making legitimate criticisms with a fearlessness and determination that is inspiring to see.

Chella Ward

Working Classicist of the Year

Alexandra is tireless in her approach to making Classics more accessible, helping marginalised scholars succeed where traditional institutions let them down. She advocates ceaselessly for disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent classicists at all stages of their careers, and her support has helped many scholars progress in a field that isn’t always easy to navigate.

Her CV is too extensive to list it all here, but take our word for it, Alexandra is making Classics a better place for everyone.

The Class in Classics report, published in March by the Network for Working-Class Classicists, the first of its kind undertaken in the discipline, was a clear and forceful call to arms, and can have left nobody in any doubt that class is not being taken seriously in many of our universities. The problems that the report illustrates make for sobering reading, and yet the NWCC have provided the field with actionable solutions that will improve Classics for everyone in the community. 


We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on making such an impact with this report, and hope that it is a catalyst for meaningful change.

The Network for Working-Class Classicists

Outstanding Collective Contribution

Laura Jenkinson-Brown, known for Greek Myth Comix, is not only one of the most creative classicists in the field, but one of the most generous and community-minded. Her website and YouTube channel are a treasure trove of original teaching resources that bring the ancient world to life with her own unique flair, and her work is used in classrooms across the globe.


There are few who can combine such scholarly expertise with engaging innovation, and Jenks is entirely deserving of this award for spreading a love of all things ancient through her gift of artistic expression.

Laura Jenkinson-Brown

Creative Classicist

Fran is a rising star in Classics, having recently completed their BA at Oxford. Their dissertation on disability and infertility in Euripides’ Andromache was one of the best pieces of writing on ancient infertility their nominator had ever read, hinting at their academic potential and ability to dig deep into compelling subject matter. 


But embodying the Working Classicists ethos is more than exhibiting skilled scholarship. Fran’s work in their university community, supporting neurodivergent, working-class and/or queer peers, and their work as a Student Union officer shows how much they value – and are valued by – their community.

Fran Geldard

Newcomer Classicist

Alexandra Morris

Unsung Classicist

Alex’s modesty belies his years of raising the profile of Classics and associated subjects – subjects which were once the bedrock of Scottish education. A first-gen classicist, he has long campaigned to bring Classical Studies and ancient languages to as many Scottish schools and adult enthusiasts as possible in his role as Outreach Officer for Classics For All. 


His passion for making ancient languages accessible is clear to see, and hundreds of budding classicists in Scotland owe him a debt of thanks. Alex’s work deserves more recognition, so we are delighted to award him the title of Community Classicist.

Alex Imrie

Community Classicist

Flavia’s own personal journey into Classics from a working-class background in Brazil is inspiring enough, defying the odds to move from childhood English scholarship to Classics postdoc at the University of Toronto. But her work in the field after her own study is an equally impressive example of her dedication, tireless work ethic, and kindness.


Flavia’s pedagogy – both in Canada and thousands of miles away in Brazil – is a credit to her passion and resilience, and she is thoroughly deserving of this award.

Flavia Vasconcellos Amaral

Educator Classicist

The Winners 2023

Alexandra’s commitment to public scholarship and the pursuit of knowledge matches (and surpasses) any given PhD candidate or “professional” Classicist, and we are frequently amazed by her dedication and resolve as an enthusiast. The academic achievements she has made (and will continue to pursue) as a mature student and working mother are an inspiration to many, and her outreach and demystification of the Classics shows that she has the health of the subject in mind. Alexandra is a tireless worker, an important voice, and a true scholar.

This award is the highest accolade we can offer, and is given in respect of her abilities and efforts in all areas of Classics. It is an honour to know Alexandra and to have worked with her, and this award goes to show how many people across the discipline share that sentiment. Her courage in speaking her mind, empathy for others, and consistent efforts to expand publicly available knowledge make her a clear and deserving Working Classicist of the Year.

Alexandra Sills

Working Classicist of the Year

In Justine’s nominations she was described as inspiring, supportive and encouraging, and each of these qualities shines through in the work that she does at Durham University and beyond. Justine does tireless work, elevating and uplifting other Classicists, academics, and enthusiasts in so many areas of her life, never asking anything in return.

Her selfless nature might mean she is sometimes overlooked for praise, but we felt that Justine’s unwavering commitment to her students deserves recognition.

Not only does Natasha deserve this award for bringing the aesthetics of the ancient world up-to-date in her Plato’s Fire jewellery designs, but also for orchestrating online read-alongs that have no doubt encouraged new readers to explore Classics in a ways that they couldn’t elsewhere.

Natasha allows a doorway intothat world that doesn’t require a prohibitive amount of money or time to access. Open discussion and the ability to explore these texts is where passions for the subject are born, and she does a great service to our cause with her work.

Natasha Hershaw

Creative Classicist

It was such a privilege to read George’s nominations and learn about their path from attending a state school to becoming the President of the Classics Society at Edinburgh University. They are the blueprint of a Working Classicist, and will no doubt have inspired others as they’ve flourished on their journey.

For their impressive work, much of it selflessly behind-the-scenes, in improving the website and expanding the social side of the society, as well as the multiple academic achievements under their belt, George’s peers and tutors wished to nominate them for this award and it is so justly deserved.

George McAdam-Cross

Newcomer Classicist

Justine T. Wolfenden

Unsung Classicist

The more we read about Peter’s incredible ability to enthuse audiences of all ages - whether through his work in schools, his political efforts, or his friendship - the more we were sure he deserved to win this community-based award.

It was a joy to learn about, for example, his primary school Androcles and the Lion performance held entirely in Latin, his hard work for the people of Blackpool through political campaigning and truly walking the walk, and his principles that align so perfectly with what Working Classicists is all about.

Peter Wright

Community Classicist

Dr Rowe is clearly an incredible asset to the Classics community, and understands the struggles and barriers that may present themselves to students and enthusiasts who don’t come from privileged backgrounds. His allyship and ethical standards have ensured that Classicists from all walks of life have found their passion for the subject and been able to thrive under his mentorship.

Dr Rowe consistently works beyond his remit for his students, who are hugely grateful for his commitment to speaking up on their behalf, offering them unwavering support, and to challenging elitism in the field.

Dr Gregory Rowe

Educator Classicist