Alexander Olave

Classicist & Specialist in Immersive Language Pedagogy

Professional Profile

Alexander Olave is a classicist whose work engages with Imperial Greek literature, classical reception in Ibero-America, and the didactics of ancient languages. He holds an MPhil from the University of Cambridge and has trained in immersive language-learning methodologies at the Accademia Vivarium Novum. His approach brings together close textual study with thoughtful, student-centered pedagogy. His current interests include rhetoric and intertextuality in Late Antiquity, as well as the use of virtual environments to support experiential learning in the humanities.

Academic Education

  • MPhil in Classics – Wolfson College, University of Cambridge (2021–2022).

  • B.A. in Spanish and Classical Philology – Universidad Nacional de Colombia (2012–2017).

  • Latin & Greek Immersion Program – Accademia Vivarium Novum, Italy (2017–2018).

Research & Teaching Interests

  • Literature: Imperial Greek Literature, Epistolography, and Late Antiquity Intertextuality.

  • Themes: The Body and Embodiment in Literature; Rhetoric and Style.

  • Reception: Ibero-American Reception of the Classics.

  • Pedagogy: Didactics of Ancient Languages and Active Learning Methodologies.

Teaching Experience

International & Online Education:

  • Oxford Latinitas (UK / Remote): Instructor of Latin and Ancient Greek (2025–Present).

  • Accademia Vivarium Novum (Italy): Assistant Teacher of Latin (Summer, 2019).

University Appointments (Colombia):

  • Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Adjunct Professor (2023–2024). Courses: Latin Prose: Epistolography, Latin Prose: Sallust, Elementary Latin I & II, Comparative Linguistics of Latin and Greek, and Introduction to Classical Philology.

  • Universidad de La Sabana: Adjunct Professor (2023–2024). Courses: Ancient Greek I & II, Latin I & II.

  • Fundación Universitaria Unicervantes: Adjunct Professor (2020–2021). Courses: Latin Language and Roman Culture I & II, Elementary Ancient Greek I.

Research Experience & Projects

  • PAPIIT Project (UNAM/UNAL): "The Ibero-American Modernity of Virgil's Georgics" (Ongoing). Contributing researcher on the reception of Virgil in Colombian literature.

  • MPhil Dissertation (University of Cambridge): "Aulus Gellius: Philology and Popular Science in Antonine Rome."

  • Ethnographic & Sociolinguistic Research: Fieldwork with the Pijao community in southern Colombia, analyzing ethno-education and native linguistic characteristics (2014–2015).

Academic Innovation & Digital Humanities

  • Proteus I: Virtual Environments for Experiential Learning in Humanities (Universidad de La Sabana). Serving as Co-researcher and Advisor.

  • Zétesis: Interdisciplinary Research Seedbed for the Human Sciences (Universidad de La Sabana). Assistant Professor and Advisor (2025).

  • Open Journal Systems (OJS): Expert in managing and editing digital academic journals.

  • Databases: Specialized in Diogenes, TLG (Thesaurus Linguae Graecae), and TLL (Thesaurus Linguae Latinae).

Selected Conferences & Presentations

  • “La Materia Forestal en las Dionisíacas de Nono de Panópolis,” Jornadas Filológicas XI, Universidad Nacional de Colombia (2025).

  • “The Octopus: An Emblem of Wisdom and a Cautionary Tale,” Classical Association Conference, University of St. Andrews (2025).

  • “Cien Generaciones de Labriegos Virgilianos: La poética del trabajo agrícola en El Romancero del Tabaco,” II Jornadas Virgilianas, UNAL (2025).

  • “Workshop: Interactive Learning Adventures for Classical Languages in the Spatial Metaverse,” Classical Association Conference, University of Warwick (2024).

  • “Weaponizing Greek Words as a Satirical Device in Attic Nights,” Graduate Interdisciplinary Seminars, University of Cambridge (2021).

  • “Active Language Learning in Theological Teaching: A Proposal for Unicervantes University,” International Seminar on Latin Teaching, Accademia Vivarium Novum (2020).

  • “Menander and Theatrical Novelty,” Colloquium of Classical Philology Students, UNAL (2015).

Publications

  • Book Chapter (Forthcoming): "La Geórgica finisecular: Aurelio Martínez Mutis y su canto al tabaco," Ed. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

  • Journal Article: "El Tema Cómico y la Idea Crítica en el Díscolo de Menandro" (The Comical Theme and the Critical Idea in Menander’s Misanthrope), Scripta Manent, National University of Colombia (2017).

Skills & Languages

  • Ancient Languages: Ancient Greek (Advanced), Latin (Advanced).

  • Modern Languages: Spanish (Native), English (Advanced Proficiency), Italian (Intermediate).

  • Technical: Paleography, Textual Criticism, and Digital Editorial Management.

Awards & Honors

  • Full-tuition Scholarship, Accademia Vivarium Novum (2017).

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