NELC Egyptology Graduate Student Beth Wang among recipients of 2025-2026 Teaching Fellows Prize

Egyptology graduate student Beth Wang is among eight PhD students from the Graduate School who have been named Prize Teaching Fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Prize Teaching Fellowship recognizes graduate students for their outstanding performance and promise as teachers. It is considered among the most important honors that Yale bestows upon graduate students.

“Graduate students are at the heart of Yale’s research and education mission. I am delighted to honor these eight graduate students who are exemplary scholars and teachers,” said Lynn Cooley, dean of the Graduate School. 

The Graduate School has awarded the teaching prizes annually since 2000. Recipients are nominated by their undergraduate students and the faculty members they assist while serving as Teaching Fellows.

Beth Wang is a PhD student (ABD) studying Egyptology in the department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Her dissertation presents ancient Egyptian wigs and hair extensions as mediators of social identity, drawing on approaches from embodiment theory and studies of materiality. Her research bridges traditional Egyptological methods and contemporary art historical perspectives. As a teacher, Beth is committed to fostering a compassionate and cooperative classroom environment where students feel empowered to engage with ancient material on their own terms. She thanks her wonderful mentors, who all allowed her to do the same. Beth holds a BA with honors from Princeton University and an MA from the University of Chicago.