About Mai

Mai is an ancient historian and a public engagement specialist. She has been a key voice in the UK for engagement with the humanities for over a decade. 

Her research focuses on race and ethnicity in the ancient world. She is also interested in medieval manuscripts, particularly from Ethiopian-Eritrean traditions. She is passionate about exploring the interconnectivity between the ancient  Mediterranean world and North-East Africa.

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Mai arrived in the UK aged 8 as a child refugee of the Ethiopian-Eritrean civil war. As a young child she spent many happy days in South Lambeth Tate Library exploring stories written about the ancient world, particularly Greek myths. Mai went on to study Classical Civilisation at university and forged a career in engaging the public with the ancient and medieval world.