My current project draws on the classical past to shed light on what truth is for and what would be lost if we give up on it now. It juxtaposes the emergence of the idea of truth as a critical concept and as a communal value in Ancient Greece with our current struggles surrounding truth and truthfulness today. A particular focus is on the roles and functions of cultural institutions (both past and present) that serve as public 'stakeholders' of truth.
Part of this project is supported by an ARC DP of the Australian Research Council (DP 250102223 ‘Herodotus, Thucydides, and the ‘Discovery’ of Truth in Ancient Greece’).
Research | Projects
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Truths Past and Present
This project investigates contested notions of truth and truthfulness in the context of contemporary crises, including climate change denial, vaccine scepticism, mistrust of expert knowledge, and growing social polarisation. Drawing on the idea of history as a dialogue between past and present, it examines how truth emerged as a critical concept, communal value, and social contract in Classical Greece, while exploring what is at stake in current struggles over truth today. Particular attention is given to the role of cultural institutions, past and present, as public stakeholders in sustaining and negotiating truth.
As part of this research, I am developing a translation pathway for humanities research in collaboration with the museum sector, large media corporations, and the public health sector.
From 2024 to 2025 I served as a member of an expert panel contributing to a high-level report on cultural institutions and information resilience, prepared for the office of the Chief Scientist. The report was published in April 2026 and can be read here: https://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/news-and-media/information-resilience-understanding-and-protecting-against-mis-and-disinformation
A pilot study of this project is supported by an ARC DP (2025-27) of the Australian Research Council (DP 250102223 ‘Herodotus, Thucydides, and the ‘Discovery’ of Truth in Ancient Greece’).
An international conference Truth in the Classical Greek City: Local and Universal Renderings will be held at Sydney University on the 1.-2. October 2026 (co-organized with Prof. Hans Beck/Muenster).
See also Humanities Salons
Public Humanities
Public Humanities is a project that explores the many ways the humanities can contribute to and engage with public life. Drawing on long traditions of public lectures, exhibitions, collaborative research, and community-based education, the project considers how humanities scholarship reaches beyond the university to connect with wider audiences and communities. At its core, Public Humanities seeks to reflect critically on the value of the humanities in contemporary society, while also encouraging more inclusive, participatory, and responsive forms of engagement. Recognising that public contexts are constantly changing, the project examines how humanities practices can adapt to new social, cultural, and political realities.
In collaboration with Prof. Thom van Dooren (Gender and Cultural Studies/Sydney Environment Institute), Professor Michael McDonnell (History), Professor Dalia Nassar (Philosophy) and we are launching a Public Humanties Initiative at the University of Sydney in semester 2, 2025.
Sydney Public Humanities is a university-wide initiative led by the School of Humanities. This initiative aims to create a space for ongoing dialogue and experimentation on publicly engaged scholarship, fostering a community of practice in which ideas, skills, and approaches can be shared and developed.
Since 2024 I have been serving on the inaugural editorial collective of Public Humanities, a new journal published by Cambridge University Press. I am representing both classical studies and Australia (with the other members being from other disciplines and located on other continents).
The journal creates a forum for scholars, students, activists, policymakers, and general readers to examine human practices and histories, as well as art, ideas, language, and belief across past, present, and future contexts. As an open-access publication, it highlights the diversity, significance, and public relevance of the humanities through contributions that engage a broad spectrum of issues, perspectives, and audiences. Its scope spans historical case studies of the humanities in action, contemporary theoretical debates within the field, policy discussions concerning the humanities, and scholarly responses to pressing social challenges.
The Materiality of the Past
I am collaborating with Claire Taylor (UW Maddison, USA) and Costas Vlassopoulos (University of Crete, Greece) on a co-edited volume in honour of Professor Robin Osborne (Cambridge University).