Saskia Stevens

Dr. Saskia Stevens is an Associate Professor at the Department of Ancient History and Classical Civilization within the Department of History and Art History at Utrecht University. She specializes in the history and archaeology of the Roman Period, with a particular focus on the significance and physical appearance of boundaries in the Roman Empire. As Principal Investigator, she leads the transdisciplinary project "Constructing the Limes" (2021-2026), funded by NWO as part of the Dutch National Research Agenda, and the NWO project "Novels on the Rhine estuary" (2022-2024).

Dr. Stevens earned her DPhil in Classical Archaeology from the University of Oxford (2005-2010), preceded by an MSt in Classical Archaeology from the same institution (2003-2004). Her academic journey began with an MA in Classics from Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen (1995-2003). She has held prestigious fellowships including the Margot Tytus fellowship at the University of Cincinnati (2011) and the KNIR fellowship at the Royal Dutch Institute in Rome (2009-2010).

Her research primarily centers on Roman urban boundaries, frontier studies, and urban development in the Roman world. Dr. Stevens has conducted extensive fieldwork in Rome, Ostia, and Pompeii, examining how physical boundaries shaped social, political, and cultural interactions in ancient cities. Her monograph "City Boundaries and Urban Development in Roman Italy" (2017) established her as a leading scholar in this field. Currently, her "Constructing the Limes" project investigates the Roman frontier in the Netherlands through a citizen science approach, for which she received the CHARM-EU Open Science Recognition Award in 2023.

Dr. Stevens' recent publications reveal a consistent focus on urban boundaries, Roman frontier studies, and the intersection of physical space with social dynamics in the ancient world. Her work spans archaeological analysis, historical interpretation, and innovative public engagement approaches. Notably, she has developed educational tools like the "Grensland" board game to make Roman history accessible to broader audiences, reflecting her commitment to open science and public scholarship.

Among her notable recognitions are:

• CHARM-EU Open Science Recognition Award (2023)
• Nomination for Utrecht University Teacher Award (2018)
• Public Engagement Seed Fund award for developing the GRENSLAND board game (2020)

As Principal Investigator of major NWO-funded projects, Dr. Stevens oversees significant research teams and collaborates with heritage organizations, local communities, and international scholars. Her "Constructing the Limes" project has secured 4.1 million euros in funding from the Dutch Scientific Agenda, demonstrating the importance of her work on the Roman frontier in the Netherlands. She actively engages in public outreach through citizen science initiatives like "All of Heerlen Digs!" which explores Roman heritage together with local residents.

Dr. Stevens has developed innovative educational approaches to Roman history, including the "Grensland" board game about Roman times in the Netherlands and podcast series like "De Forma Urbis Romae" and "Wonen in de hoogte: Romeinse hoogbouw." Her work bridges academic research with public engagement, making ancient history accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences.