{"id":109201,"date":"2026-04-21T12:46:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=109201"},"modified":"2026-04-21T17:52:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:52:04","slug":"how-humanities-research-is-reimagining-the-human-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2026\/04\/how-humanities-research-is-reimagining-the-human-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"How Humanities research is reimagining the human experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

From uncovering stories of the past to exploring shifting narratives of power and identity, Brock\u2019s Faculty of Humanities scholars are thinking deeply about the complexities of human experience across historical and contemporary contexts.<\/p>\n

The research of Professor of Classics and Archaeology Elizabeth Greene, for example, explores maritime archaeology and seaborne mobility across the Mediterranean and offers a compelling model of interdisciplinary humanities scholarship.<\/p>\n

Drawing on archaeological fieldwork on shipwrecks, harbour sites and maritime landscapes from the Iron Age to the present in regions like Turkey and Sicily, Greene traces long term processes of trade, cultural exchange, fishing traditions and the displacement of peoples.<\/p>\n

This summer, Greene will travel to Croatia to work on a well-preserved shipwreck from 700 CE. Recently featured in National Geographic<\/em> magazine, the shipwreck carried gold and bronze objects likely exchanged as diplomatic gifts during the Byzantine era. Undertaken as a collaboration with scholars from Croatia and North America, the project aims to preserve this important site and to share its story with the public.<\/p>\n

Michael Carter, Professor and Chair of Classics and Archaeology, said Greene\u2019s research is bold and transformative, and has engaged scholars in multiple disciplines and the general public alike.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Greene\u2019s work has shifted both how we understand and model interaction on the ancient Mediterranean and, even more importantly, how we view, value and challenge ourselves and the broader global community through heritage in the present,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Greene and fellow scholars in Brock\u2019s Faculty of Humanities gathered at the Humanities Research Institute (HRI) Symposium Tuesday, April 14 to share their interdisciplinary research with the Brock community.<\/p>\n

During the spring research celebration, Greene also received the Faculty of Humanities Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so grateful to my colleagues in the Department of Classics and Archaeology and the Faculty of Humanities for fostering an environment that supports public-facing and interdisciplinary research like mine and I\u2019m very excited to embark on new initiatives this summer,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Organized by Elizabeth Vlossak, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, the biannual symposium featured six conference presentations and three \u201clightning talks\u201d spanning subject areas such as visual art, philosophy, history, classics and archaeology, and media studies.<\/p>\n

Vlossak said the annual HRI Spring Symposium is a wonderful opportunity to showcase and celebrate the exciting and innovate research and creative activity of Humanities faculty and graduate students.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt serves as an important reminder to all of us that the work we do matters, and that it brings us joy,\u201d Vlossak said.<\/p>\n

Research presentations included:<\/p>\n