Symposium 2026
Sunday September 27, 2026, 1-4pm EST
A gathering of high school students to present research and participate in fulfilling dialogues about Classics.
The Calder Classics annual Symposium in Fall 2026 will be held online.
*We are no longer accepting applications for Presenters -- that deadline has passed. We are only accepting applications for Discussion Participants.*
At Calder Classics, Our goal is to create new opportunities for students to pursue their passion for studying the ancient world.
Symposium was born as an outlet for high school scholars to present their niche research, hear groundbreaking ideas from their peers, and participate in dynamic discussions on fascinating topics in the Classics.
Format
Presenters are invited by a panel of Calder Classics Symposium organizers based on the quality, novelty, and relevance of their submissions. Each student who is chosen to present will be given five minutes to introduce their Classics research and pose discussion questions to the group. Research topics must relate to the ancient world, and can touch on any topic ranging from mythology, literature, history, and archaeology to philosophy, art, and language.
After each presentation, the Presenter will moderate a period of discussion. Although discussions will be moderated by the Presenter, all are welcome to share their thoughts in any discussion group.
We hope that this interactive format will be a great way to develop your interest in Classics, connect with other students, and practice leading and participating in academic dialogue. Whether you’re just starting your journey into the ancient world or have been studying Latin or Greek for years, we’d love to see you!
Symposium 2026
Application Process
*We are no longer accepting applications for Presenters -- that deadline has passed. We are only accepting applications for Discussion Participants.*
Presenter
Students who would like to present their original research will be asked to provide a brief summary of their topic and provide a few discussion questions to help in leading the following dialogue. There is no theme -- we are looking for diverse, unique, and well-researched topics. Presenters are not required to have formally published their research; any student with an interesting academic idea in the Classics is welcome to apply as a Presenter. Once their application is accepted, Presenters will also be required to follow up later with a slideshow presentation for approval before Symposium takes place.
Discussion Participant
Students who are not presenting their research will be encouraged to participate in discussions. In the application, Discussion Participants will be asked about the academic subjects they are interested in.