About
Ersin is an ancient historian whose work centres on the history and material culture of ancient Cyprus, with a particular emphasis on questions of identity and heritage. A consistent thread throughout her scholarship is the study of Cyprus as both a real and imagined space, shaped by historical narratives, artistic responses, and museological practices. Ersin’s interests also extend to the historiography and display of Cypriot artefacts, and the reception of Cyprus in visual art, contributing to broader debates around cultural heritage and the politics of representation.
Her first monograph, Revaluing Roman Cyprus: Local Identity on an Island in Antiquity (Oxford University Press, 2021), offers a nuanced reappraisal of Roman-period Cypriot identity. She is currently working on her second monograph, which investigates the production, circulation, and cultural meanings of metals in Ptolemaic and Roman Cyprus.
Ersin is co-founder and co-director of two interdisciplinary research networks. She co-leads OLCAP (Object and Landscape Centred Approaches to the Past), which fosters collaborative inquiry into the material and spatial dimensions of history. She also co-directs the Teaching Ancient Cyprus Network, a global initiative that brings together researchers, educators, and students to explore innovative pedagogical approaches to ancient Cyprus. The network champions creative, inclusive practices that reimagine how Cypriot heritage is taught, experienced, and shared.
Public engagement and widening participation are central to Ersin’s practice as an ancient historian. She has extensive experience delivering public talks, designing and leading workshops, and collaborating across sectors to make the ancient world accessible to diverse audiences. Her outreach work spans formal and informal learning environments, with a focus on inclusive, creative approaches to heritage. Highlights include presenting the Romans in Focus educational video series for the Cambridge Schools Classics Project and contributing to public conversations on ancient history through appearances on BBC Radio Wales and London Greek Radio.