Evelien Bracke
Visiting Lecturer/Assistant Professor, University College Dublin
UCD, Ireland
Speaker Bio
Dr. Evelien Bracke is an award-winning classicist, educator, and public intellectual whose work bridges the ancient world and modern challenges. With over 25 years of experience in academia, she is renowned internationally for her innovative research on classical literature, myth, and their relevance to contemporary society. Through her research and public engagement, she is committed to widening access to the study of antiquity and demonstrating the enduring impact of ancient stories on modern life. Her first monograph 'Classics at Primary School: A Tool for Social Justice' was hailed by reviewers as essential reading for teachers and policymakers alike. Her second monograph, 'Guide through the Labyrinth' (in Dutch, Academia Press 2025) examines the role classical mythology plays in the stories we currently tell about geopolitical conflict, climate breakdown, the rise of artificial intelligence, and social media. The book has won a prestigious award in The Netherlands and Belgium, and has recently been translated into English as 'The Meaning of Myth in Uncertain Times: How Classical Mythology helps us Navigate a World in Crisis' (Routledge 2026). As an international leader in public engagement, Bracke has pioneered initiatives that bring Latin and ancient Greek to primary school children from socioeconomically deprived backgrounds: Literacy through Classics in the UK, and the award-winning Ancient Greeks – Young Heroes in Belgium. Her outreach work, recognized with prestigious awards, demonstrates the transformative potential of the Humanities in fostering critical thinking, civic engagement, and social justice. A sought-after speaker and educator, she has delivered lectures at universities and conferences worldwide, sharing her vision of a more inclusive and accessible Classics. Her commitment to equity and innovation in education and research continues to inspire scholars and communities alike. Dr. Evelien Bracke is currently Visiting Lecturer/Assistant Professor at University College Dublin (Ireland) and Visiting Researcher at Ghent University (Belgium).
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