Onno van Nijf

Prof. Dr. Onno van Nijf is a Professor of Ancient History at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts, leading the Ancient History department. His research focuses on the political, cultural, and social history of Greek cities under Hellenistic and Roman rule, with particular expertise in sport history, Greek festivals, epigraphy, citizenship, and funerary culture. He has held significant roles, including Head of the Classics Department (2016-2017) and Head of the History Department (2007-2011).

Van Nijf earned his MA (1988) and PhD (1996) from Leiden and Amsterdam Universities. He has been a visiting professor at institutions like the University of Paris and the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris. His international research includes directing projects on civic honours and Greek cities post-Classical Age.

His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending archaeology, religion, and politics. Notable projects include the 'Ancient History Profile' on political culture and the 'Anchoring Innovation' initiative. He co-founded CRASIS, an interdisciplinary research group at Groningen.

Van Nijf has supervised numerous PhD students and organized conferences on topics like civic identity and ancient festivals. His awards include NWO and Leverhulme grants. He teaches courses on Greek athletics, Roman religion, and the cultural history of death, and maintains the Saxa Loquuntur epigraphy database.