About the project
How did past societies navigate cultural and environmental change? This project investigates the environmental impact of new religious practices during the Roman period in Britian, integrating scientific archaeological analysis of plant remains to uncover on-the-ground environmental changes, and philosophical analysis regarding the evolving conceptualisation of “nature” during this transformative period.
Given the environmental crises we face, many theorists and campaigners argue that we urgently need to re-evaluate our relationship with the nonhuman environment. But how do we encourage such large-scale cultural change? One strategy is learning from historical periods in which rapid cultural shifts resulted in different conceptualisations of nature, land-use, and stewardship. This study examines one underexplored example: environmental changes that occurred amid the social upheaval of the Roman invasion and settlement of Britain (c.43–410CE).
How did the conceptualisation and management of nature change during the Roman period, and what lessons can be applied to our current context? To answer these questions, this project combines environmental archaeology and philosophy. Environmental archaeology involves the scientific study of past environments through plant and animal remains, and environmental philosophy critically examines the concepts we use to think about and engage with nature.
The project also addresses a significant gap in the literature. The details of environmental changes and transformations during the Roman period are often oversimplified or generalised and would benefit from more nuanced, context-specific analysis. This project particularly focuses on the significant transformation in religious practices during this period – from ritual depositions in natural water bodies, towards more monumental, temple-centred systems of religious practice.
As such, the project will contribute to reshaping the environmental history of the Roman period in Britain, and – through examining how past societies navigated environmental change and resource use – also offer insights into how we tackle contemporary challenges of environmental sustainability, cultural integration, and landscape preservation.
Potential supervisors
Lead supervisor
Dr Anna Collar PhD
Associate Professor
Research interests
- mobility, pilgrimage and migration in the ancient world.
- landscape, religious experience and spirituality.
- emotion in archaeology.
Supervisors
Dr Neil Williams
Lecturer in Philosophy
Entry requirements
You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or higher in a relevant subject.
You can also have its international equivalent.
International applications
If English is not your first language, you will need an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components.
Visit our English language proficiency pages to find out about other qualifications we accept.
Fees and funding
This programme is eligible for funding under the Leverhulme Programme for Interdisciplinary Resilience Studies.
Up to six students will comprise each cohort. We will offer:
- 4 studentships to UK (or UK-domiciled) students – fully funded for 48 months at UKRI base rates for maintenance and tuition.
- A studentship to an international student – fully funded for 48 months at UKRI maintenance and University international tuition rates.
- A “Master’s + PhD” studentship to an eligible UK (or UK-domiciled) student – fully funded for 60 months at UKRI maintenance and University tuition rates (12 months research master’s degree and 48 months PhD Plus ÂŁ10k (ÂŁ2.5k per year) Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) for the PhD programme.)
How to apply
You need to:
- choose programme type (research), 2025/26
- choose the relevant PhD programme for your chosen project
- add name of Dr Anna Collar in section 2
Applications should include:
- a personal statement
- your CV (resumé)– standard format and a narrative resumé
- names and contact details of 2 academic references
- degree transcripts plus certificates to date
- Programme for Interdisciplinary Resilience Studies application document (in the Apply section, download the PIRS cover application form – 2025 entry).
Contact us
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
If you have a general question, email our doctoral college: fah-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk.
Project leader
For an initial conversation, email Dr Anna Collar – a.collar@soton.ac.uk.
