OIKOS research group Late Antiquity and Byzantine Studies: Masterclass
What does it mean to study the ancient world in the 21st century – and why does it matter? On 1 October 2026, the annual masterclass of the OIKOS research group Late Antiquity and Byzantine Studies will take place, organised by Indira Huliselan (Leiden University) and Kevin Hoogeveen (University of Amsterdam). We are pleased to announce a masterclass by Dr James Corke-Webster (King’s College London), to be held in Leiden. A theologian and classicist by training, Dr Corke-Webster is a leading scholar in Christian historiography and late antiquity. This event is open to Research Master students and PhD candidates.
The subject of the Masterclass is: Ancient Studies in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities.
This subject concerns all of us who work with ancient sources, whether texts, inscriptions, coins, art, or landscapes: each speaks a language shaped by power, strategy, and context, and each demands that we reflect on what we bring to it as modern interpreters. Whether your research centres on literary texts or material culture, on the classical world or late antiquity, this day offers a rare opportunity to step back and engage with questions that cut across all of ancient studies: why does our field matter, how do we work across disciplinary boundaries, and what do ancient sources demand of us as interpreters? The day will combine an introductory lecture with interactive small-group workshops centred on thematic prompts: on interdisciplinarity, the societal relevance of ancient studies, and the tension between modern interpretation and ancient rhetoric. In the afternoon, we will visit the National Museum of Antiquities and have a concluding plenary discussion. The programme will culminate in a public lecture by Dr Corke-Webster. Participants can expect an engaging and thought-provoking experience that explores how narratives and sources function as sites of meaning and power, while also reflecting on the place of the field in wider society.
All interested members are invited to register by sending an email to Kevin Hoogeveen (k.m.w.hoogeveen uva.nl), with the subject line: ‘OIKOS Masterclass 2026’. Please register by 24 September at the latest. For the full program please click here.