Professor Sarah Scott

I completed my undergraduate studies in Archaeology at the University of Leicester and my DPhil at the University of Oxford. I was Fellow in Social Sciences at the University of Durham before joining the School at Leicester.

My research interests include the history of archaeological thought and method and everyday life in Britain in the Roman era.  My primary passion is for community engagement. I enjoy working collaboratively to support and empower people of all ages, and from diverse backgrounds, to explore and research the places where they live and to engage in life-enhancing activities through archaeology and heritage. I am Director of the University's Heritage Hub.

I am experienced in facilitating collaborations that combine cutting-edge university research, sector and lived experience. I have a track record of working across disciplines and sectors to innovate inclusive, financially resilient and impactful heritage projects and partnerships, collaborating with organisations of all sizes, including local authorities, museums, heritage sites, charities, libraries and archives, health providers, community groups and local businesses. I especially enjoy working with students, colleagues and partner organisations to support, inspire and empower young people through learning programmes, placements, work experience and enrichment opportunities with a focus on local heritage.

I am co-director of the Irchester Field School (Northants), a collaborative excavation within the suburbs of the small Roman town (vicus) of Irchester. The Irchester Field School is central to an innovative and wide-ranging partnership between the University of Leicester and North Northants Council, based at the Chester House Estate encompassing research, learning, community engagement, wellbeing and enterprise. I coordinate the University of Leicester team in my role as Heritage Hub Director. I worked closely with the Chester House Estate team and Simon Leach Design to research and write the interpretation for site, which opened July 2022. 

I am collaborating with colleagues in the School of Engineering to research barriers to feedback gathering in the heritage sector and to pilot ethical and inclusive data gathering tools to more effectively quantify the impact of activities and collect richer data to inform decision making and strategy (LeicSurvey). This collaboration has received support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) via the ARC Accelerator.

Morris, M. and Scott, S. forthcoming. A Guide to the Jewry Wall. School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester.

Scott, S., Savani, G., Ainsworth, J., Hunt, A. Kuhivchak, L. 2022. Roman worlds for diverse communities: Engaging new audiences with archaeology and classics. Journal of Community Archaeology and Heritage https://doi.org/10.1080/20518196.2022.2052482

Scott, S. 2019. Vetusta Monumenta and Britain's Classical Past. Vetusta Monumenta: Ancient Monuments, A Digital Edition https://scalar.missouri.edu/vm/thematic-essay-roman-britain

Scott, S. 2019. Engavings of Three Roman Pavements found at Wellow. Vetusta Monumenta: Ancient Monuments, A Digital Edition https://scalar.missouri.edu/vm/vol1plates50-52-roman-pavements-wellow

Savani, G., Scott, S. and Morris, M. 2018. Life in the Roman World: Roman Leicester. School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester.

Scott, S. 2017. 'Gratefully dedicated to the subscribers': The archaeological publishing projects and achievements of Charles Roach Smith. Internet Archaeology 45. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.45.6

Scott, S. 2014. Britain in the classical world: Samuel Lysons and the art of Roman Britain 1780-1820. Classical Receptions Journal, 6 (2), pp. 294-337. https://doi.org/10.1093/crj/clt030

Scott, S. 2013b. Samuel Lysons and his circle: Art, science and the remains of Roman Britain. Bulletin of the History of Archaeology 23 (2), pp. 1-22. http://doi.org/10.5334/bha.2323

Scott, S. 2013a. Pioneers, publishers and the dissemination of archaeological knowledge. A study of publishing in archaeology 1816-1851. Internet Archaeology 35. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.35.1

Scott, S. 2012. Fourth-century villas in the Coln Valley, Gloucestershire: Identifying patrons and viewers. In S. Birk and B. Poulsen eds Patrons and Viewers in Late Antiquity. Aarhus: Aarhus University Press, pp.183-212.

Scott, S. 2010. Review article: Local responses to Roman imperialism. American Journal of Archaeology 114, No. 3, pp.557-561.

Scott, S. 2006. Art and the archaeologist. World Archaeology 38, No. 4, pp. 628-643.

Scott, S. and Webster, J. eds 2003. Roman Imperialism and Provincial Art. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Scott, S. 2000. Art and Society in Fourth-Century Britain. Oxford University School of Archaeology Monograph 53. Oxford: Oxbow. 192 pp.

History of archaeological thought and method; the archaeology of Roman Britain; the history of archaeological publishing; archaeology and ancient history in education; community archaeology. 

Current students

Zoe Schofield. Decorative borders and working practices in Pompeian wall painting.

Tamar Miller. Mausolea as Monuments.

David Cardona. Landscapes of death and commemoration: burial space, place and evolution from Phoenician to late Roman Malta (with N. Christie)

Elizabeth Janovsky. Decorated gaming counters in the Roman world

Zoe Tomlinson. A critical appraisal of the fragmentary Roman painted plaster from Lincoln and Lincolnshire with particular reference to the use of colour

Past students

Jeanette Gimmerstam. Wiki on the rocks: A study of the western globalization of knowledge within archaeology

Cristina M. Hernández. Domestic baths in Pompeii — A Phenomenological and Cultural Reading of Architectural Design and Space (with P. Allison)

Ruben Montoya Gonzales (M3C funded) Becoming Glocal. Glocalization and the study of villa pavements in Hispania Baetica (2nd century - 4th century AD)

Bella Mollard. A landscape-based study of Jornada Mogollon Rock art sites in the southern escarpment, foothills and drainages of the Sacramento Mountains. Graduated 2020.

Heather Keeble. Roman Archaeology in the News: The contribution made by the provincial press to the dissemination of Roman archaeological information in nineteenth century Britain. Graduated 2019.

Jane Ainsworth. Herakles on the Edge: How do objects depicting the figure of Herakles inform our understanding of artistic choices and identity during the expansion of the Roman Empire? Graduated 2018. Leicester Classics Hub Manager.

Eleonora Zampieri. Propogandist town planning between the Republic and Principate: Caesar, Pompey and the attainment of consent. Graduated 2017. Marie-Curie Fellow, University of Padua.

Giacomo Savani. The Evolution and the Role of Private Baths in Roman Britain: An Elite Becoming and Being Roman. Graduated 2017. Lecturer in Ancient History, University of Leeds.

Laura Nicotra. Sculpture in the Forum of Trajan (with Prof. P. Allison). Graduated 2015.

Suzanne Mitchell. At the water's edge: An integration of archaeological and enthnographic methods in the study of rock art in northern central British Columbia, Canada (with Jago Cooper) Graduated 2015.

Safaa Abd el Salam. Conservation of Roman paintings in Egypt (with G. Morgan). Graduated 2000.

I coordinate and contribute to campus-based and distance learning undergraduate and MA modules in classical and historical archaeology heritage management and archaeology archaeology and ancient history in education I supervise campus-based and distance-learning MA and PhD students and have undertaken writing marking and coordination for a wide range of modules within the School's distance learning programme. I was awarded a University Distinguished Teaching Fellowship in 2013 in recognition of teaching excellence. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2017. 

I designed and lead award-winning student employability initiatives, including our accredited volunteering and internship programme in partnership with University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) and a wide range of external partners. I am currently working with colleagues in the School of Education and Outreach to coordinate education-related placements across the University.

HEA National Teaching Fellow

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

University Distinguished Teaching Fellow

Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London 

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford (British Academy & Linacre College Domus Scholar)

Bachelor of Science in Archaeology, University of Leicester