Opening the
Ancient World
A Virtual Conference
Watch the Replay
Watch the day-long streams below.
A playlist of all the presentations will be available in the next few days .
FEEDBACK
Please give us feedback about the conference so we can make it even better next year!
SOCIAL HOUR
On August 16 at 5:45 PM EDT, click below to join a Social Hour with SASA and Digital Hammurabi! The password is "Ancient".
DISCOUNT
Use the promo code "openingancientworld" at SASA's Bazaar to get 10% off your order (free shipping already included)!
JOIN THE DISCUSSION!
RSVP FOR THE ROUNDTABLES TODAY TO GET THE ZOOM LINK!
To participate you MUST RSVP.
Roundtable 2:
Research Outside the Academy: Building an Inclusive Environment
August 16, 3:30 - 4:30 EDT
Roundtable 1:
Diversity in Ancient Studies: Problem Solving Through Outreach
August 15, 4:30 - 5:30 EDT
Please note that the roundtable discussions will be livestreamed on our platforms. If you do not want to participate or do not want to be included in the broadcast then you can still follow the discussion!
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
What:
Opening the Ancient World: Religion, History, & Culture
When:
August 15 & 16, 2021
Where:
This is a FREE public conference that will be livestreamed to both the Digital Hammurabi and SASA YouTube channels! Additionally, a chat function will allow you to ask questions (though questions will be moderated to ensure discussion stays on topic)!
Click here to see a breakdown of the schedule!
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Mark Smith
Helene Professor of Old Testament Literature and Exegesis at Princeton Theological Seminary
Dr. Moudhy al-Rashid
Assyriologist and Junior Research Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Oxford
Heba Abd el Gawad
Postdoctoral Researcher for "Egypt's Dispersed Heritage: Views from Egypt" at the Institute of Archaeology, University College of London
Saber A. Parian
Engineer
Researcher of Elamite and the Behistun Inscription
Conference Goals
Digital Hammurabi and Save Ancient Studies Alliance have partnered to create a NEW type of conference for ALL Ancient Studies scholars with the following goals:
1
Present and support excellent scholarship by scholars at the fringes of the academic community and researchers who have not followed the traditional tenure-track career path.*
2
Foster discussion and action regarding public outreach and scholarly inclusiveness.
3
Hold a conference freely available to the public.
4
Begin building a joint community of scholars including both those not on the traditional path and those in the ivory tower.
* What do we mean by saying those "who have not followed the traditional tenure-track career path"?
We aim to bring together scholars who do not normally have the opportunity to present and engage with scholarship, including:
Completed a PhD and are now professionals in other fields
Left PhD programs
Contingent faculty
Academics from marginalized groups
Teachers, professors, and staff from all educational institutions
Cultural resource management professionals
Independent scholars
Conference Organizers
David Danzig
SASA - Founder & Director
PhD Candidate, Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, New York University
Megan Lewis
Digital Hammurabi -
Co-Founder & Operator
Christian Casey
Leadership Committee Member
Virtual Conference Team Leader
SASA Educational Ambassador
ART COMPETITION
During the conference on August 16, we will discuss our Art Competition! The winner's work will be displayed on gear in the Bazaar! Learn more here.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Questions? Concerns? Please email Keren Freidenreich at kfreidenreich@saveancientstudies.org.
Any scholar of the Ancient Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, broadly defined, was welcomed and encouraged to submit an academic paper proposal in the subject areas of Religion, Culture, or History. In addition, all presenters are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one of the two discussion groups.
In this inclusive context, beyond the scholarly presentations, we will also host special sessions in which we aim to discuss a range of issues pertaining to the precarious situation of Ancient Studies. These discussions will broach the issues of how to develop outreach by Ancient Studies scholars, further inclusiveness, and reimagine scholarship as a lifelong pursuit within a diverse yet inclusive scholarly community.
*All proceeds will be split evenly between SASA and Digital Hammurabi.