Scholarship and Social Justice: The Scholar as a Political Animal

In an era of political turbulence and professor watch lists, scholars are understandably hesitant about wading into contentious issues, whether in their teaching, scholarship, or other personal or professional activities. At the same time, many academics feel they cannot or do not want to keep their personal, ethical investments separate from their scholarly lives. This talk looks at the risks and rewards of working at the intersection of the ancient world and contemporary issues, and it explores ways that scholars at all career stages can pursue diversity and justice as an integrated part of their academic lives.

Dr. Amy Pistone is an Associate Professor at Gonzaga University, and her primary area of research is Greek tragedy and its reception. Though she is the sole Hellenist in her department, she has the opportunity to teach and work on a wide range of topics. She completed her PhD at the University of Michigan, where her dissertation focused on oracular language in the plays of Sophocles. She has recently worked on classical reception through the lens of postcolonial, queer, and feminist theories.