Icona from Sumela Monastery, Turkey

Research

The Department of Classical & Archaeological Studies has an active research culture with staff specialising in a range of areas. We were ranked second for research impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.

The Department has a distinctive and broad research culture that is characterised by its interdisciplinarity. Our research clusters and centres extend across ancient history, archaeology, Byzantium, classics, heritage and reception, forming a stimulating research environment. 

They comprise: Artefacts and Society; Health, Well-being and the Senses; Ancient History and Archaeology of Egypt; the Centre for Late Antique Archaeology; and the Centre for Heritage.

We also run a programme of seminars, where external speakers talk on themes relevant to our clusters and centres and address broader questions and topics outside the specialisms of our staff.

In recent years we have hosted major international conferences including the Classical Association Conference (CA) and the Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference (TRAC).

Our staff have won prestigious awards from organisations including the:

  • Arts and Humanities Research Council
  • European Cultural Foundation
  • Leverhulme Trust
  • Royal Society of New Zealand
  • British Academy.

In addition, our specialised Archaeology Laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment for geophysics, laser scanning and compositional analysis, as well as a specialist technician.

World-leading experts

Our international lecturers are highly respected in their fields. All are active researchers who contribute to contemporary debates through their publications and activities.

The Temple of Saturn by sunrise at Roman Forum, Rome

Early Rome: where myth and history meet

Dr Christopher Burden-Strevens’ new study analyses Cassius Dio’s ambitious history of early Rome

Research centres

Canterbury cathedral

Centre for Heritage

The Centre for Heritage, located in Kent Law School, is an interdisciplinary centre that develops high-quality teaching and research on heritage.
ruins in Ostia Rome

Centre for Late Antique Archaeology

The Centre is an international research group focusing on study of all aspects of life in the Mediterranean world from ca. AD 300 to ca. 650.

Research excellence

Following our excellent results in the Research Excellence Framework, we have continued to build on our reputation for high-quality research that reaches beyond academia and impacts the wider world.

Various Roman and Late Antique artefacts in glass case with woman reading pamphlet in front of the case

Roman and Late Antique artefacts from Egypt

AHRC-funded project leads to Sounds of Roman Egypt exhibition

Our research: making a difference

We conduct high-quality projects that transform the work of heritage professionals, engage wider communities, and increase public understanding of the classical world. View our Research Ethics and Integrity Policy.

Our projects include policy work for UNESCO, and the training of heritage professionals from more than 50 countries. We are shaping professional practice and public policy in archaeology and heritage management globally.

We also work with schools and museums to increase public understanding of antiquity, and its accessibility to diverse audiences, via consultancy work, digital technology, social media, and innovative school and museum outreach events.

We have strong links with local and regional museums including Canterbury Museums and Galleries, Dover Museum, the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL.

Visit our People page to discover more about our academic staff, their interests and activities, and how to contact them. 

In the news

close up of hands on game controller, purple and pink lighting

'Gamifying' classical antiquity

At the Games and Gaming Symposium in Glasgow, Dunstan Lowe asked how developers (and players) have made the ancient world playable.
Classical and Archaeological Studies' lecturer Rosie Wyles, long dark hair hair, black and grey shirt

Can museums help immigrants to feel at home?

In 'Museums, Immigrants and Social Justice', Professor Sophia Labadi urges museums to be more inclusive.