Archive for June, 2007
Research for Bernard Lightman at York University
by meggie on Jun.19, 2007, under Academics and News
Having become a research assistant to Mr. Lightman, Graduate director for the Humanities department at York, I have the opportunity to work in a field almost totally unrelated to my own in an academic manner. Professor Lightman has asked me to undertake research for a plenary address at the University of Edinburgh in July 2007 on “The Geography of Science”, particularly the exhibitions of the nineteenth century in London, England.
Despite the fact that I know absolutely nothing about the nineteenth century, in England or anywhere else, I find I am fascinated by those in the fields surrounding ‘natural history’ and by their interpretations of anthropological as well as classical discoveries and ‘curiosities’. I forget that enthusiasm about the unknown, the foreign, or the ancient has taken on some surprising and sometimes shocking facades in the past hundred years. More importantly, it reminds me that I am not so far removed from having been a part of that world of oddities and ridicule and society.
That sounds very snobbish of me to say; however, I do find that world more than a little alien, certainly moreso than I find Ancient Rome at any rate. And yet it interests me nonetheless and I am looking forward to learning more during my work for Bernie.
For more information on the conference itself, dates, and participants, please visit the University of Edinburgh’s School of GeoSciences website on the Geographies of 19th Century Sciences.
Volunteering at the Royal Ontario Museum
by meggie on Jun.19, 2007, under Museums and Depts
I am happy to say that, doubtless with some revisions, I will be the author of the copy for the Republican Rome and Roman Egypt sections of the Greek and Roman Galleries when they reopen at the ROM in the spring of 2009.
The ROM has recently opened its new Michael A. Lee Chin Crystal Gallery to the public amidst manifold opinions as to the aesthetic of the new architectural feature. Over two days, approximately 21 000 people came for the weekend opening during June 8th and 9th, 2007, more than sufficiently making the event a success. Sections are, of course, still under construction and receiving their finishing touches, including the Greek and Roman Galleries on the third floor.
Unfortunately, I will be unavailable to see the new galleries once the whole project is completed, but I do hope that people will go see the newly refurbished museum and let me know what they think of the layout (and my copy!).
