WCC and me – Dr Katerina Valentza
As part of our tenth anniversary celebrations, we are writing a series of blog posts in which members tell us about their experiences with the WCC UK. Our fifth interviewee is Dr Katerina Velentza.
Katerina is an archaeologist and currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Humanities at the University of Hull. Since 2023 she has been one of the disability liaisons for WCC UK.
She discusses her involvement with the WCC with Katherine McDonald, current co-chair of the WCC.
KM: How did you first get involved with the WCC?
KV: My involvement with WCC started in the spring of 2023 when I started my role as disability liaison. I was a WCC member though from earlier in that year, which is why I received the newsletter with the various events and opportunities including the disability liaison position opening.
KM: Which WCC initiatives or events that have been important to you?
KV: I have really enjoyed all the AGMs that I have attended. In particular the discussions related to issues of early career scholars have been very insightful. Also, the Working in Archaeology, Heritage and Classics with a Long-Term Condition events organised in 2024 and 2025 for Rare Disease Day have been really important to me because they led to meeting more people in the field who live with chronic conditions or disabilities.
KM: What has the WCC added to your life as a woman in Classics?
KV: WCC has added an amazing network of colleagues that are navigating similar issues as me in academia and Classics. In particular, through my role as disability liaison and the ‘living with a long-term condition’ events that I have been organising for Rare Disease Day, I have met many other classicists and academics who live with chronic conditions. We have created a small network or unofficial support group and meet once a year which has been really helpful.
KM: What would you say to someone considering joining the WCC for the first time?
KV: WCC is a wonderful community to join with opportunities to meet new people in the field but also seek advice and support on various issues and topics. I would really recommend joining to anyone interested no matter the stage of their career. I think the WCC is an amazing organisation to bring people together.