Claire Taylor has spent her career teaching at universities across the United Kingdom and Ireland, most recently at Royal Holloway University of London. She is British and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.
But the Department of History’s new assistant professor should feel at home at UW-Madison in one respect — she lists her favorite food as cheese curds.
We asked Taylor about her research and the year ahead.
Taylor
Q: What are your research interests?
A: I am a historian of the ancient Greek world who is interested in the lived experience of marginalized peoples – i.e. women, the poor, slaves etc. My main research project is on poverty in fourth-century BCE Athens, but I have also published work on ancient graffiti, political participation and female friendship.
Q: Why are you most excited about being at UW-Madison?
A: The history department is excellent and I look forward to working with colleagues and students there. It’s exciting to be in the position to be able to develop ancient history teaching and research at UW-Madison.
Q: What courses will you teach?
A: History 110: The Ancient Mediterranean and History 600 (an advanced seminar): Citizens and Slaves in the Ancient Greek World.
Q: What can students expect in the classroom?
A: Interesting discussions, exciting material, supportive enquiries. College should be about exploration and discovery, being challenged, and learning how to see the world differently. I hope my courses facilitate this.
To meet more new faculty members, see our full list of Q&As.