Bev Back

Dr. Bev Back is a Lecturer in Latin Language and Literature at the University of Leeds, affiliated with the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. She holds a PhD from the University of Liverpool and has extensive teaching experience since 2007, including roles at the University of Liverpool and Leeds. Currently, she serves as the AHC Faculty Decolonising Lead and Director of the Leeds Centre for Ancient World & Classical Reception Studies.

Education:

• BA Classical Studies (Class I, 2006)
• MA Classics (Distinction, 2008)
• PhD Classics (2013)

Research Interests:

• Post-Augustan Latin epic poetry (Valerius Flaccus, Statius)
• Classical reception in TV, film, and music
• Accessibility of Classics for working-class students in the UK
• Neurodiversity in Classical Studies

Recent Contributions: A chapter in Artificial Intelligence in Greek and Roman Epic (Bloomsbury, 2024) explores sentient technology in Valerius Flaccus’ Argonautica. Ongoing research includes H.G. Wells’ receptions of the Argo myth and analysis of Medea in Roman epic.

Awards & Roles:

• 6 Partnership Award nominations for tutoring excellence
• Classics Admissions Tutor (2013–2018)
• UG/MRes Programme Manager during the pandemic

Labs/Initiatives: Director of the Leeds Centre for Ancient World & Classical Reception Studies; founder of the Classics Information Hub.