Jerome De Smet | MA, Classical Studies
Through his work at the University of Waterloo, Jerome De Smet is uncovering how ancient myths evolve across centuries - and what those stories can still reveal about human culture today.
As a Master of Arts student in Classical Studies, his research traces the origins and development of Hœnir, a lesser-known Norse god whose mythology may reach back to Bronze Age symbolism and cross-cultural traditions spanning Europe. Weaving together mythology, archaeology, historical linguistics and material culture, Jerome's work examines how stories transform over time while preserving traces of the societies that created them.
"I find that folklore and myth capture the intangible aspects of human culture quite well," Jerome says. "More than anything, I was drawn to the raw human creativity and need to explain the world reflected within myth."
Following curiosity across cultures and centuries
Jerome's passion for mythology and historical linguistics is rooted in personal experience. "I grew up in a bilingual French and English household, which has naturally lent itself to a curiosity about past languages and cultures," he says.
His focus on Hœnir emerged unexpectedly while researching Bronze Age archaeology, a "eureka!" moment sparked by waterbird imagery with surprising connections to later mythological traditions.
"I developed a working hypothesis on different traditions that might have contributed to the development of Hœnir, including Bronze Age swan/waterbird symbolism that also influenced the iconography of the Greek god Apollo." That discovery became the foundation of his thesis.
Building an interdisciplinary approach
For Jerome, Waterloo offered the ideal environment for ambitious interdisciplinary research. Supported by leading faculty and a collaborative graduate community, he found the space to bring together long-standing interests in language, history and mythology into a thesis that bridges ancient traditions with contemporary scholarship.
"Interdisciplinarity is crucial because it empowers people to develop a far-reaching skillset and foster close connections across the university system," he says.
Drawing on Classical Studies, Medieval Studies, folklore, archaeology and linguistics, his research reveals how religious symbols and cultural motifs traveled across interconnected Bronze Age societies. It is an approach Jerome sees as essential to the future of humanistic scholarship.
Learning from mentors and community
Jerome also points to Waterloo's faculty as central to his growth as a researcher, from the rigorous grounding of the CLAS 600 Research Methods course to opportunities that have brought his work to real-world audiences. In 2025, he presented at the C.A.M.E.L.O.T. conference at St. Jerome's University, offering original interpretations of the cryptic artwork on the Golden Horns of Gallehus - research he plans to develop into a future publication. He has also collaborated with committee member Altay Coşkun on a public viewing of Waterloo's Pyke Coin Collection, guiding visitors through the significance of its Medieval coins.
He credits supervisor David Porreca with shaping the quality and direction of his thesis: "Much of my successes are owed in no small part to David's insightful remarks and help with formatting my thesis to maximise the persuasiveness and coherence of the arguments made therein." He also expressed gratitude to committee members Altay Coşkun, Andrew Faulkner and Anne-Marie Rasmussen for their support throughout the process.
Looking ahead
After completing his MA, Jerome plans to pursue doctoral research in myth, history or Medieval Studies, with ambitions to translate his thesis into academic publications.
For him, the deeper purpose of studying myth is understanding the enduring human impulse to create meaning.
"There is still much to be uncovered when it comes to the study of myth," he says, "especially by adding new perspectives from other disciplines."