Victoria Austen

Victoria Austen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics. Her research focuses on ancient Roman gardens, public scholarship, and digital humanities. She holds a PhD in Classics and has published extensively on topics such as Pompeii’s peristyle gardens and the role of Wiki Education in ancient Mediterranean studies. Her work bridges classical archaeology with modern pedagogical practices, emphasizing global knowledge production and inclusive teaching methods.

Her research interests include analyzing spatial boundaries in Roman gardens, environmental history of antiquity, and leveraging digital platforms to democratize access to classical knowledge. Her recent publications highlight collaborative projects like the Peopling the Past initiative, which promotes multivocal approaches to ancient Mediterranean studies.

Austen’s academic contributions emphasize interdisciplinary methods, combining archaeological evidence with modern educational technologies. She actively participates in initiatives that expand the reach of classical scholarship beyond traditional academic circles.