Emily Pillinger

Dr Emily Pillinger is a Senior Lecturer in Classics and Liberal Arts at King’s College London, and Co-Director of the Global Cultures Institute. She holds a PhD from Princeton University (2009) and a Master’s from the University of Oxford. Her research bridges ancient and modern, focusing on music’s role in reinterpreting classical myths, such as her opera project on Penelope from Homer’s Odyssey. She has collaborated with institutions like the Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne Festival. Her work emphasizes how ancient texts and myths resonate in contemporary global contexts, particularly through music and interdisciplinary projects.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (2009), Princeton University: Dissertation on ancient prophecy in literature
• Master of Arts (2001), University of Oxford, Classics
• Undergraduate degree in Classics, New College, Oxford

Research Interests: Her work explores music as a medium for classical reception, ancient poetry (especially Greek and Roman), and letters (epistolography). She investigates how modern compositions like opera give new life to myths like Penelope’s, fostering communities through creativity and activism. Her book Cassandra and the Poetics of Prophecy (2019) analyzes prophetic speech in classical literature.

Awards & Projects: Lead investigator for the AHRC-funded Penelope’s Web (2024–2025), creating an opera based on Penelope’s story. Her collaborations include composing a Penelope opera with a contemporary librettist, showcased on a dedicated website.

Teaching & Outreach: Teaches Latin literature and Liberal Arts at King’s, including modules on ancient texts in translation. Engages schools and the public through workshops, lectures, and media projects, such as talks on applying to university and A-level topics in classics.

Labs & Teams: Active in the Centre for Hellenic Studies and presentPasts initiative, exploring transhistorical cultural interactions. Her work aligns with UN SDG 4 (Quality Education), emphasizing inclusive cultural education.