Dr. Paul Grigsby
Research Fellow in Outreach and Impact
Widening Participation, Warwick Classics Network, Recruitment and Outreach Sub-Committee
Email: Paul dot Grigsby at warwick dot ac dot uk
University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
About
Paul studied for a BA in Classical and Archaeological Studies at the University of Kent, before moving to the University of Warwick to complete his Masters by Research and PhD in Classics. His research interests centre on Greek religion and cultural identity, with an especial interest in the region of Boeotia [Boiotia]. His thesis considered Boeotian cultural identity as reflected through their festivals and agonistic contests from the 7th century BC through to the 4th century AD. Since May 2018, Paul has been a Research Fellow in Outreach and Impact here at the University of Warwick, where he helps facilitate the running of the Warwick Classics Network [WCN]. He is currently developing his project Roman Coventry with over 30 local schools, developing teaching resources that will bring Roman Coventry and Warwickshire alive to every school child in Coventry, and with aims to expand this project to all of Warwickshire from 2021/2022.
Teaching
Paul taught the module Greek Religion (CX262-30/CX362-30) during the academic year 2019/2020 and some sessions of the module Democracy and Imperialism (CX235-30/CX335-30) in 2020/2021. In 2021/2022 Paul will be convening and teaching the new 15 CAT module Public Engagement in Classics and Ancient History (CX276/376).
The Warwick Classics Network
Launched in 2018 by Prof. Michael Scott, the work of the WCN is supported through the generous help of the A. G. Leventis Foundation, Graham and Joanna Barker, and the charity Classics for All. It’s main aims are:
- To provide teachers of classical subjects with resources, advice, and an active support network. The WCN website with its ever evolving teaching resource section STOA is an integral part of this support, and WCN are currently working with Classics for All in developing even more unique online resources aimed at supporting the teaching of the Ancient History and Classical Civilisation in schools.
- To promote the teaching of Classics in schools not currently offering Classical subjects on their curriculum. Working alongside Classics for All and the AHRC funded Advocating Classics Education, the WCN provide information on training and funding available for introducing classics. The WCN are currently helping to introduce classics in schools in Coventry and Rugby.
- To promote the research undertaken by Warwick academics to a wider audience. Through public events and the creation of specialised online resources (such as our #AskAnAcademic videos), the WCN are dedicated to bringing the work of Warwick Classics to the wider world.
Since March 2020 the WCN website with its teacher resources has been visited over 250,000 times.
Research interests
Paul is interested in Greek religion, mythology, and festivals. He has a particular interest in the region of Boeotia and in the formation of Boeotian identity through common cults and festivals. He has recently been examining the cults and festivals of the Archaic period in Boeotia, and the actions of the Artists of Dionysus in Boeotia under Roman rule, and is now embarked on an examination of prehistoric and Roman Warwickshire for his Roman Coventry Project.
Selected Publications
-
Bringing Classics to the State Schools of the Midlands: A Year in the Life of the WCN - Journal of Classics Teaching 9th December 2020
- [Under Review] Chapter: The Artists of Dionysus and the Festivals of Boeotia
Qualifications
- BSc. (Hons) in Zoology, University of Wales, Swansea
- BA (Hons) in Classical and Archaeological Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury
- MA by Research, University of Warwick
- PhD, University of Warwick