Frances Mangina (Canada)

I received my undergraduate degree in 2022 from Princeton University, where I majored in philosophy and completed a certificate in Roman Language and Culture. My senior thesis, entitled "The Clash of Particles and Planets: Lucretius' Poetic Case against the Fear of Death in De Rerum Natura," received the Class of 1869 prize in Ethics and the Warbeke Prize in Aesthetics from Princeton's philosophy department. I was selected as Latin Salutatorian for my graduation, and delivered a humorous Latin address to my fellow students. 

At Oxford, I am completing an MSt in ancient philosophy. The MSt will help me develop my ancient language skills and broaden my knowledge of ancient philosophy, which will prepare me for doctoral work in my field. My research aims to address how philosophers, ancient and modern, use literary techniques to strengthen philosophical arguments and make them more accessible to non-philosophers. Because my work is interdisciplinary, it is helpful to discuss it with scholars from a range of other fields, including comparative literature, Classics, and linguistics. The Ertegun community is a wonderful place to begin such conversations. I am so grateful to the Ertegun Scholarship Programme for making my studies possible and for enriching my research. 

I spend much of my spare time singing in choirs—I am a member of Schola Cantorum of Oxford and the University College Chapel Choir. I also enjoy cooking, baking, and hiking, especially alongside my friends.