ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the synergies between classical education and modern governance through the lens of a civil servant working within policy for the Scottish Government’s Bairns’ Hoose programme. Drawing on personal experience, Tsujino demonstrates how the analytical frameworks and communication principles from classical studies transfer effectively to complex policy environments. The author identifies three key transferable skill areas: evidence evaluation and critical source analysis, comfort with multidisciplinary knowledge and rhetorical communication techniques. Through specific examples from policy work supporting Scotland’s adaptation of the Barnahus model for child victims and witnesses, the chapter illustrates how Classics education equips civil servants to navigate vast information landscapes, engage with diverse stakeholders, and craft effective ministerial communications. This case study reveals how the breadth and depth of classical education provides a foundation for public service that remains relevant in contemporary governance, offering insights for both classicists considering government careers and policymakers interested in the practical value of classical education.
