In January 2026, after having presented at the SCS in San Francisco, Hylke will travel to Ithaca, NY for a research stay at Cornell University for the spring semester (January – May). His research stay is made possible by the Cultuurfonds, in particular the Reiman-de Bas Fonds. At Cornell he aims to bring his research to the next level, inspired by the knowledge and expertise of scholars and fellow PhD-students overseas. Hylke will be working on perceptions of the invention of metalworking and the labour of blacksmiths as part of his research on Roman literary representations of the impact of iron on humankind. Besides his research, he is curious to experience (academic) life outside Groningen. His journey to Ithaca will be a true odyssey of learning.