I have been Lecturer in Jewish Studies in the Department of Religion and Theology at Bristol since 2018. My research is mainly in Hebrew linguistics, lexicology, and philology (Classical Biblical Hebrew and Late Biblical Hebrew), and the textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, and related Jewish texts. I teach Classical Biblical Hebrew, biblical studies, and early Jewish studies. 

Office: Room 1.05, 3/5 Woodland Road (Department of Religion and Theology), Bristol BS8 1TB

Research areas

• Hebrew linguistics, lexicology, and philology (Classical Biblical Hebrew and Late Biblical Hebrew)
• Textual history (textual criticism) of the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint (LXX), and related Jewish texts
• Aramaic
• Syriac
• Ben Sira
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• Greco-Roman Judaism
• Scribal culture
• Literacy and education, libraries, allusion and quotation in Judaism and early Christianity
• Jewish inscriptions and papyri
• Jewish bilingualism and multilingualism

In each area, my work gives special weight to scribal practices, manuscripts, epigraphy, papyri, and material culture (realia). Within the above methods, I have also researched more specific words and themes, particularly: medicine, magic, weapons and warfare, education, and writing.

My current research project is "Philology of Ancient Hebrew Medicine" (see Projects).

I maintain a "useful links" website called "The Biblical Toolkit" which bookmarks databases and resources for biblical and early Jewish and Christian studies, for remote work, teaching, and research: https://biblicaltoolkit.wordpress.com/

Teaching and Supervising

I teach several subjects: Classical Biblical Hebrew, Greco-Roman Judaism, Dead Sea Scrolls. I also contribute to teaching in units like Living Religions West, Topics in Religion and Theology, and Issues in the Study of Religion.

I am open to receiving new queries for Masters and PhD students.

Background

Past academic roles prior to Bristol

• Editorial assistant, Journal of Theological Studies (2016-18)
• Honorary research associate, University of Exeter (2017-18)
• Visiting postdoctoral Polonsky fellow, Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies, University of Oxford (spring 2016)
• Supervisor (tutorial teaching), Hebrew and Old Testament papers, University of Cambridge (2015-17)

Education

• PhD in Divinity, University of Cambridge (Queens' College, 2012-16), supervisor: Professor James K. Aitken
• MA in Biblical Studies, Durham University (Hild-Bede, 2011-12), supervisor: Professor Robert (C.T.R.) Hayward
• PG Cert in Theory of Education, Durham University (Hild-Bede, 2010-11), Religious Education at secondary level
• MA Honours (undergraduate) in Divinity, University of Edinburgh (2006-10)
• Originally from Connecticut / New England area in the US