Based in Catalonia and open to international collaboration, CIAW connects research, academic publishing and educational innovation in Ancient Studies—with particular attention to Game Studies and neurodiversity, inclusive teaching and digital culture.
The Center for Innovation in Ancient Worlds (CIAW) is an independent, non-profit academic initiative founded in 2025 and based in Catalonia, Spain. Bringing together Ancient History, Classics, Archaeology and Reception Studies, it promotes interdisciplinary research, scholarly publishing, educational innovation and public engagement with the ancient world.
Rather than operating as a single university department, CIAW provides a collaborative framework open to scholars, educators and cultural practitioners across institutions and countries. It explores not only what we know about Antiquity, but also how historical knowledge is produced, represented, taught and shared—from the critical study of ancient evidence to video games, digital humanities and emerging technologies.
Through its Diamond Open Access journal AI & Antiquity, the Playing Antiquity thematic series and its work on neurodiversity-aware teaching, CIAW is committed to rigorous scholarship, academic independence, accessible learning and the open exchange of ideas.
Archeion is CIAW's public outreach initiative, connecting academic research with broader audiences.
CIAW is rooted in academic collaboration in Catalonia, with close links to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and colleagues across other institutions. Meet the people behind CIAW →
Three ways to explore our latest work.
An international, peer-reviewed Diamond Open Access journal connecting Ancient Studies with inclusive teaching, digital humanities, Game Studies and critical approaches to technology and historical knowledge.
Published by CIAW, AI & Antiquity brings together original research, methodological reflection and debates on how Antiquity is studied, interpreted and taught.
From individual accommodation to inclusive design: new perspectives on cognitive difference, academic participation, teaching and assessment in Ancient Studies—without lowering scholarly standards.
Explore the issue
Video games are not simply representations of the ancient world: their rules, narratives and interfaces create playable interpretations of history. CIAW explores questions of political authority, social structures, classical reception and historical knowledge through the critical study of games.
Playing Antiquity is the peer-reviewed thematic series published by AI & Antiquity, distinct from CIAW's broader research agenda. First issue planned for June 2027; submissions close on 28 February 2027.
Neurodivergent students, educators and researchers contribute different experiences and perspectives to Ancient Studies. Inclusion is not simply a matter of offering individual accommodations; it means designing academic environments that value cognitive difference from the outset.
Same standards, different pathways. We preserve rigorous historical analysis while reducing unnecessary cognitive, sensory and social barriers to participation.
Intellectual contributionRecognising diverse approaches to evidence, interpretation and scholarly work.
Inclusive designClear expectations, multimodal materials and flexible ways to participate and demonstrate learning.
Responsible digital supportUsing AI and accessible technologies critically, with human judgement and source verification intact.
Research-based contributions to Ancient Studies and inclusive pedagogy, with links to the academic record.
Neurodiversity, Ancient History and Critical AI Literacy
Read article · DOI ↗Project GI517492 · Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Research, projects & publications →Seminars, educational materials and scholarly exchange, rooted in Ancient Studies and open to broader public conversations.
Browse open teaching resources ↗ Journal events programme ↗Classical reception, social media, far-right movements and generative AI.
View poster ↗
Date & time24 November 2026 · 10.30–13.15 h
VenueSala de Graus · Facultat de Filosofia i Lletres (UAB)
OrganisersUOC · UAB · CIAW
Full programme available below ↓With support from: Facultat de Filosofia i Lletres (UAB); Màster Universitari de la Mediterrània Antiga (UOC–UAB–UAH); Center for Innovation in Ancient Worlds (CIAW).
Archeion brings Ancient History, archaeology and material culture to wider audiences through accessible digital outreach, connecting academic research with public curiosity about the ancient world.
CIAW brings together academic and editorial work rooted in Catalonia and connected to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), alongside collaborators at other institutions. The centre remains an independent, non-profit initiative.
Founder, CIAW · Editor-in-Chief, AI & Antiquity
Ancient History · Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Academic collaboration · Associate Editor, AI & Antiquity
Ancient History · Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Editorial collaboration · Associate Editor, AI & Antiquity
Universidad Europea de Madrid
CIAW is an independent, non-profit academic initiative, not a department of the UAB or another university. Its collaborators retain their own academic affiliations. Editorial roles, submissions and peer-review decisions belong to AI & Antiquity and follow the journal's published structure ↗. For partnerships and enquiries, contact CIAW.
CIAW welcomes focused, flexible collaborations in Ancient Studies—from joint research and scholarly exchange to the development of open teaching resources. We favour clearly defined contributions and project-based cooperation, including work developed entirely through written correspondence.
Have an idea or a shared research interest? Send a brief note outlining what you would like to explore. Manuscripts and editorial enquiries for the journal should be directed to its official contact page.
