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Professor Sharon Marshall

Associate Professor

4294

01392 724294

I first arrived in Exeter many years ago as an undergraduate student in French and Latin. In 2011, I completed a PhD in the Department of Classics and Ancient History under the supervision of Professor Rebecca Langlands. My doctoral thesis, entitled ‘The Aeneid and the Illusory Authoress: Truth, fiction and feminism in Hélisenne de Crenne’s Eneydes’, examined a female-authored translation of the Aeneid into French from 1542, bringing together my interests in Latin literature (especially Roman epic) and its reception in Early Modern France, translation studies, women writers, the representation of women and the history of the book. 

I am now an Associate Professor in Classics and Ancient History, teaching predominantly language and literature courses. I aim to combine in my teaching a broad understanding of the literature of the ancient world, and what it tells us about culture and society more generally, with close textual examination and critical analysis. I teach a range of language courses and literature in translation, including Roman Love Elegy, Roman Laughter and Writing Women in Ancient Literature. Over the years, my research has increasingly shifted towards Classics education in both historical and contemporary contexts and my interests in innovative pedagogy and assessment underpin my teaching practice, especially in my Creative Interpretative Project and Applied Classics modules. 

I am passionate about sharing my love of Classics more broadly and supporting the development of Classics education in schools and am currently Chair of the Classical Association Teaching Board.

Research interests

  • Classics education
  • Latin literature (especially Roman epic and love elegy)
  • Translation Studies
  • The reception of Latin literature in Early Modern France
  • Women writers and representations of women in literature
  • Early Modern paratexts

External impact and engagement

Along with my collegaue, Professor Lynette Mitchell, I co-founded Isca Latina, a Latin teaching programme in local state schools. I regularly give schools' talk and sit on the editorial board of Omnibus, a magazine for sixth-formers published by the Classical Association. As Chair of the Classical Association Teaching Board, I oversee various education-focused initiatives, including a current review of qualifications in classical subjects in schools. I am also Vice-Chair of the Classics Development Group which brings together representatives from different organisations across our subject community to share and co-ordinate our work. 

Contribution to discipline

In 2014, I was elected to the standing committee of the Council of University Classical Departments and am currently Statistics Officer, meaning that I am responsible for collating and publishing staff and student data for instiutions in which Classical subjects are taught across the UK.

Teaching

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was delighted to have been awarded the prize for Best Lecturer at the Students' Guild Teaching Awards in 2015. 

Modules taught

Biography

I am originally from Lincolnshire, but now call Exeter home. I love the landscape of the Southwest and when I’m not in my office, you are most likely to find me swimming in the sea.

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