Critical understandings of the past, present and future
The UNESCO Chair on Heritage Futures at Linnaeus University gets a new member. Dr Emily Hanscam is interested in the politics of the past, nationalism, critical heritage and the potentials of archaeology to build a more inclusive and just future. She will contribute to the already unique research profile on Heritage Futures.
Hanscam's research background is in Roman frontiers and archaeological theory – for her PhD she discussed the potentials for a postnational archaeology, using Romania as a case study. She also spent a decade excavating at Halmyris, a Roman fort in the Danube Delta, Romania.
Her current project, New Romans, researches the sociopolitical contexts of references to Classical Antiquity in the United States, exploring the possible significance of a critically understood Classical tradition for negotiating the future of American society. She is is also presently writing a book, inspired by her PhD thesis, which examines the long-term impact of Roman origin myths on national narratives and identities across Europe and the United States, unpacking the deep connections between shifts in geopolitical power and ideas of migrant and native and Us vs. the Other.
"After my first weeks at LNU I am confident that this is a place where research can thrive – the Kalmar campus is set on a fantastic location on the Baltic Sea and is built to facilitate new connections and inspiration from colleagues across the humanities and social sciences. I am thrilled to be here!", says Emily Hanscam.
Professor Cornelius Holtorf holds the UNESCO Chair on Heritage Futures, and he is pleased to welcome Emily Hanscam to the campus.
"With Emily Hanscam's work, we will be able to strengthen our commitment to research of global significance and to promote critical understandings of the past, present-day and future identities. Her work will make an impact that goes beyond the Chair as well", says Holtorf.
The postdoctoral research fellowship is supported by the Crafoord Foundation, the LNU Centre for Concurrences, and the UNESCO Chair on Heritage Futures.