Nottingham Academic Honored with Prestigious Award for Groundbreaking Research on Roman History
A pioneering historian of the late-ancient world at the University of Nottingham, has been awarded a 2024 Philip Leverhulme Prize for his research.
Dr George Woudhuysen in the Department of Classics and Archaeology has received one of the Leverhulme Trust’s prizes in recognition of his research, which uses investigation of manuscripts to revolutionise understanding of the late-Roman historians and the study of names, to cast significant new light on the social and political history of late antiquity.
The historians work on texts and his expertise in onomastics (the study of names) has made major contributions to our knowledge of late antiquity. By breaking down the traditional division between philology and ancient history – two subjects that ought to be symbiotic – he endeavours to work in partnership with other scholars.
I feel deeply honoured to have received this prestigious prize and recognition from the Leverhulme Trust. Collaboration is central to my scholarship, because it allows us to ask and answer questions that individuals could not on their own – I am very grateful to those I have worked with over the years.”
George Woudhuysen, Assistant Professor in Roman History
Philip Leverhulme Prizes have been awarded annually since 2001 in commemoration of the contribution to the work of the Trust made by Philip Leverhulme, the Third Viscount Leverhulme and grandson of William Hesketh Lever, the founder of the Trust. The prizes recognise the achievement of outstanding researchers whose work has already attracted international recognition and whose future career is exceptionally promising.
In 2024 the Trust offered five prizes in each of the following subject areas: Classics; Earth Sciences; Physics; Politics and International Relations; Psychology, and Visual and Performing Arts.
Dr Woudhuysen has been awarded the £100,000 prize which can be used over two to three years to advance his study into this fascinating area of research. This is the sixth prize awarded to a Classicist at the University of Nottingham since the scheme began in 2001.