Dr Matthew Collins
Senior Lecturer
Biography
Dr Matthew A. Collins is Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism at the University of Chester. He completed his PhD in 2006 at the University of Bristol, where he also taught in the fields of Biblical Studies and ancient Judaism, first as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (2003–2006) and then as a Visiting Lecturer (2006–2007). His doctoral work examined the reception of Hebrew scripture in the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls and the development of sectarian terminology, viewed against a wider sociological context of labelling practices. In 2007 he moved to Berlin in order to take up a post co-managing the international and interdisciplinary Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception (EBR) project, which examines the cultural and religious influence, impact, and reception of the biblical texts throughout history. After four years living in Berlin, he returned to the UK and joined the department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Chester in October 2011. He is co-chair of ‘The Biblical World and its Reception’ seminar for the European Association of Biblical Studies (EABS), has served on the Publications Sub-Committee for The Society for Old Testament Study (SOTS), and is series editor for the book series ‘Scriptural Traces: Critical Perspectives on the Reception and Influence of the Bible’ (Bloomsbury/T&T Clark).
Teaching and Supervision
Dr Collins teaches across all undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including doctoral supervision. His modules focus on: the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament; ancient Israelite and Canaanite religion; the religions, archaeology, and mythology of the ancient Near East; Second Temple Judaism; and the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
His main research interests centre around the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls and their academic and popular impact, Hebrew Bible/Old Testament narratives in their ancient Near Eastern context, ancient Israelite religion, and the Bible in popular culture. • The Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls and their academic and popular impact; • Hebrew Bible/Old Testament narratives in their ancient Near Eastern context; • Demonology in the ancient world and its later reception; • The formation and development of ancient Israelite religion; • Jewish writings of the Second Temple period; • The Bible in popular culture (biblical reception in art, literature, music, and film).