excellence. Looking back on our submission for 2008 (the last time such an exercise was carried out) it is pleasing to see how many of our aspirations we have since met, however, and just how much we have strengthened our national position in terms of staffing, research culture, publications and dissemination of our work. Importantly, too, there is a buoyancy and energy about the department that makes for a stimulating and supportive atmosphere for all our work, research included, which I think shines through in our documentation. I am personally optimist about the REF which I am determined to see as an opportunity for us to show off to the outside world just how good we are! So, there is much to be thankful for at present. Despite a challenging external environment, the department is more than holding its own and has much to look forward to. Less joyful, however, is the fact that we are having to say goodbye to four members of staff this summer. Jo Brown and Gabriella Zuccolin have been with us for fifteen months and twelve months respectively as Research Assistants for Prof Helen King and Aarón Alzola Romero and Katy Soar have also enjoyed a short sojourn in the department this year as Lecturers in Classical Studies, providing temporary cover for two members of staff on maternity
leave. All four have contributed hugely the departmental life and will be very much missed. This is also my last summer as Head of Department, as I step down in May next year. I can honestly say it’s been a life-changing experience: I’ve had to tackle all manner of new and diverse tasks and have learnt an enormous amount about how the university works. One of the real pleasures of the job has been working with and getting to know people at the OU, be they faculty colleagues, departmental colleagues or Associate Lecturer colleagues. I’m constantly impressed with the level of expertise, commitment and just the sheer determination to get the job done that I find around every corner. I have also discovered that we Classical Studies folk have an enviable reputation out there for our flexibility, collegiality, efficiency and plain friendliness. And so while the job has been extremely demanding at times, it has also been an honour and a pleasure to be hosting the party at a time of such change and challenge. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved but I’m even prouder of our Department and our extended family of ALs. So, thanks for all your continued hard work and support: it really is very much appreciated. James Robson
Jo Brown. Research assistant for Prof Helen King
Gabriella Zuccolin. Research assistant for Prof Helen King
Aarón Alzola Romero. Lecturer in Classical Studies
Colleagues we are saying goodbye to this year at the CS Department. All four have contributed hugely to the departmental life and will be very much missed.
Katy Soar. Lecturer in Classical Studies
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