Sinclair Bell
An expert in the archaeology and art history of the Greek and Roman world, PhD alumnus Sinclair Bell tells us how he's reaching out to new audiences through a TV documentary.
| Name |
Sinclair Bell |
| Degree |
PhD in Classics (Classical Archaeology) |
| Year of Graduation | 2004 |
Your time at the University
I chose the University of Edinburgh generally for its excellent reputation in Classical Studies, and in particular to work with Dr Glenys Davies, with whom I shared many research interests in the field of Roman art and archaeology.
I found Edinburgh to be a vibrant community of scholars, with an especially active research culture in Classics. In addition to the countless hours spent in the library, which I can now recall fondly, my favourite memories come from the time I spent with friends exploring the city’s many cultural opportunities: museum, concerts, and the like.
I think that the city has a real, positive energy, and that that energy feeds into every aspect of social life when you live there, especially for students.
I found Edinburgh to be a vibrant community of scholars, with an especially active research culture in Classics.
Your experiences since leaving the University
Edinburgh left me incredibly well-prepared for my chosen career path in higher education. Both the lectures I attended and the archaeological fieldwork that I pursued have served me well in my current position as a professor of the archaeology and art history of the Greek and Roman world.
In addition, at Edinburgh I learned the importance not only of focusing on one’s subject specialism, but also of reaching out (through lectures and writings) to the wider general public, where there is tremendous interest in ancient civilizations such as the Roman empire. Thus, when I was recently approached to appear in a documentary entitled “The Greatest Race” about the sport of chariot-racing in the Roman empire (forthcoming in the UK on Channel 4 and the US on the Smithsonian channel), I happily agreed, especially since I see many parallels between the culture of spectacle today and that in ancient Rome.
Alumni wisdom
Enjoy every moment in Edinburgh: be sure to get out and explore all that the city has to offer.