Professor Stephen Halliwell recognised for high achievement

Professor Stephen Halliwell of the School of Classics has been elected a Fellow of the British Academy.

Professor Halliwell, who is one of 42 new Fellows elected in recognition of their outstanding research, was announced at the Academy’s AGM in London this month.

The British Academy is the premier national body representing the humanities and the social sciences, the counterpart of the Royal Society for the natural sciences.

Professor Halliwell’s election maintains a remarkable St Andrews tradition: he is the university’s sixth professor of Greek in succession, going all the way back to John Burnet almost a century ago, to become a Fellow of the British Academy.

The others were H. J. Rose, W. L. Lorimer, Sir Kenneth Dover (former Chancellor of the University and also President of the British Academy), and Ian Kidd.

Professor Halliwell’s research ranges widely across the study of ancient Greek literature (especially tragedy and comedy) and philosophy (especially Plato and Aristotle), as well as the influence of Greek cultural ideas and practices on later periods.

Two of his books have won major international prizes, and he has given invited research lectures in 17 countries and four languages, and held visiting professorships in Belgium, Canada, Italy and the USA.

He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Professor Halliwell said:

“It is an honour to be elected to the Academy but all the more gratifying because it helps to mark St Andrews’ outstanding record of achievement in the study of the ancient world.

“The humanities matter greatly to the vitality of our culture and to the ways in which we understand the relationship between the past and the present.

“Classics has a special place in the history of the humanities.

“I’m proud to be able to contribute to the continuing strength of classical research in St Andrews and I hope my Fellowship of the British Academy will enable me to work more generally for the advancement of the humanities.”

Lord Stern, President of the British Academy, said:

“I am delighted to welcome these fine researchers and scholars into our Fellowship.

“Our Fellows are elected from across the UK for their distinction in the humanities and social sciences.

“Together they represent an unrivalled reserve of expertise and knowledge.

“They play a vital role in the work of the Academy, encouraging younger researchers, engaging in public discussion of the great issues and ideas of our and other times, contributing to policy reports and publications, and helping to select researchers and research projects for funding support.”

ENDS