At the RAI in Innsbruck last summer we announced that Sophus Helle was retiring from his role as Editor of Mar Shiprim. Since taking on the role in summer 2016, Sophus breathed new life into our newsletter. He published a rich portfolio of stories that gave us news from around the world, and offered insights into life in our diverse community dedicated to the study of the ancient Near East. We would like to record our heartfelt thanks to Sophus for all his hard work, and wish him every success as he concentrates on his dissertation.
It is testament to Sophus’s achievements that the IAA Board received so many high quality applications to replace him in the Editor role. After much deliberation, the Board has decided to appoint Stefania Ermidoro as our new Editor. Stefania is an accomplished scholar with good editorial experience. We very much look forward to working with Stefania, and eagerly anticipate some exciting new posts.
Introducing myself
I am an Ancient Near Eastern historian and Assyriologist, mainly working on aspects of social and cultural history in the first-millennium BCE, such as food practice, literature, and rituals. Lately, I have been focusing on the rediscovery of Ancient Mesopotamia in modern times, as I am currently studying documents from archives that once belonged to the British archaeologist A.H. Layard. My research interests also include the field of Ancient Near Eastern archaeology: I am actively involved in the Tell Mozan/Urkesh archaeological project since almost one decade.
My Alma Mater is Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy), where I completed my MA and BA in Assyriology and obtained my PhD in 2013.
In my academic experience, I have travelled all across Europe: I am currently a visiting fellow in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Newcastle University (UK), but I have previously held research posts in Italy (Venice) and Belgium (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven). As a PhD student, I spent three semesters at the Seminar für Sprachen und Kulturen des Vorderen Orients – Assyriologie in Heidelberg (Germany), and afterwards I had the opportunity of staying a few weeks in the Department of World Cultures at the University of Helsinki (Finland) for research purposes.
I’m really happy to be able to embark on this new adventure, and I’m grateful to the IAA Board for having given to me this stimulating opportunity. Many heartfelt thanks also to Sophus, who has guided me through the first weeks with much expertise and helpfulness.
Please remember that Mar Shiprim is always open for new submissions. Do you have happy news to share? A conference or workshop you would like to promote, or report on? A project you would like to advertise? Or a suggestion for new content? Then please do send an email to stefania.ermidoro@iaassyriology.com.
I will be very happy to receive all your suggestions and inputs, in order to keep our newsletter as open and lively as possible!
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