Lecturers
Lecturers at The Short Course are academic experts in their fields as well as experienced teachers, with at least 10 years of experience speaking to diverse audiences about art, history and literature. Lecturers provide you with access to their depth of knowledge, their insights and their love of introducing you to the subjects they are most passionate about.
Dr Nick Gordon
Nick has a PhD and University Medal in history from The University of Sydney, where he specialising in medieval and early modern Europe. He has 10 years’ experience as a university lecturer, on topics ranging from classical political thought, to the history and culture of Renaissance Italy, architectural history and the history of philosophy.
Dr Kathleen Olive
Kathleen is well known to Italian enthusiasts for her lectures and seminars, including popular short courses at the WEA, Sydney, The Italian Institute of Culture, and for the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Association (ADFAS). Kathleen has a PhD in Italian Studies from the University of Sydney, and 20 years experience of lecturing and teaching.
Freya Middleton
Freya has an M.A. from Warwick University and over 15 years’ experience as a specialist tour guide in Florence. She is a regular presenter at the British Institute of Florence, the preferred lecturer and guide for the Advancing Women Artists Foundation (Florence) and for the Australia Council’s Venice Biennale delegates.
Dr Will Visconti
Will has a PhD in French Studies and Italian Studies from the University of Sydney. He has taught art history, French and Italian language and literature at the University of Sydney, and at Central St Martins College, London. Will’s research ranges across theatre, history, art history and literature from the Renaissance to modern world.
Photography by Thai Nguyen
Dr Richard Bell
Richard is a Professor of History at the University of Maryland. He holds a BA from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from Harvard University. He is the author of the new book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which is shortlisted for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize.