Neil W. Bernstein

Neil W. Bernstein is a Professor in the Department of Classics & Religious Studies at Ohio University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research centers on ancient Roman literature, with a focus on the representation of family, community, and identity in classical texts. He is actively engaged in both traditional philological scholarship and digital humanities initiatives.

Research Interests: Bernstein specializes in epic poetry, Roman declamation, rhetoric, and the literary representation of kinship in ancient Rome. His work explores biological and non-biological familial relationships—including adoption, fostering, and mentoring—within various genres of Roman literature. He is particularly interested in how these themes reflect broader social, political, and aesthetic developments during the early Imperial period.

Digital Humanities & Innovation: Bernstein is a research partner on the Tesserae Project, which uses computational tools to analyze intertextuality and text reuse in Latin and Greek literature. His work on data visualization enables scholars to perform 'distant reading' of literary genres through quantitative analysis, complementing traditional close reading methods.

Pedagogical Leadership: With Dr. Herta Rodina, he co-led the seminar series 'Taking Risks in Teaching,' funded by the College of Arts and Sciences. This initiative explored innovative teaching practices, including discussing sensitive topics and restructuring courses to enhance student learning.

Publications: While no specific articles are listed, Bernstein’s research output includes two major monographs: In the Image of the Ancestors: Narratives of Kinship in Flavian Epic (2008) and Ethics, Identity and Community in Later Roman Declamation (2013). These works demonstrate his deep engagement with narrative structures, ethical frameworks, and communal identity in Roman rhetorical and literary traditions.

Grants and Collaborative Work: Bernstein secured funding from the College of Arts and Sciences to support pedagogical innovation workshops for junior faculty. His collaborative work with modern language educators highlights his interdisciplinary reach and commitment to educational development.

Labs and Research Groups: He is affiliated with the Tesserae Project, a digital humanities initiative focused on quantitative analysis of classical texts. This project provides tools for identifying textual echoes and intertextual patterns across Latin and Greek literature.