Curriculum Vitae

Josef Mario Briffa SJ

Pontifical Biblical Institute
(of the Pontifical Gregorian University)
Associate Professor, Biblical Faculty
Director of Academic Programmes (Jerusalem)

Personal

  • Born in Malta, June 1979
  • Member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) since October 2000
  • Roman Catholic priest, ordained in June 2010
  • Final vows, May 2024

Education

  • [2012-2017] PhD in Archaeology (awarded 28.01.2017)
    Institute of Archaeology, University College London.
    Thesis: The Figural World of the Southern Levant during the Late Iron Age.
  • [2009-2012] Licentiate in Sacred Scripture, Magna cum Laude.
    Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, Italy.
  • [2006-2009] Bachelor of Divinity, First Class.
    Heythrop College, University of London.
    • (and Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Magna cum Laude
      in affiliation with the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
  • [2002-2004] Bachelor of Philosophy, Magna cum Laude.
    Istituto Filosofico Aloisianum, Padova, Italy
  • [1996-2000] Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Archaeology, First Class.
    University of Malta, Msida, Malta

Professional Experience

  • Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome)
    • Biblical Faculty, Pontifical Biblical Institute
      [2024-present] Associate Professor / Professore Straordinario
      [2017-2024] Lecturer / Professore Lettore
      [2013-2017] Assistant Lecturer / Professore Assistente
    • Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem
      [2019-present] Director of Academic Programmes
      [2018-present] Curator of the Museum
      [2021-2025] Director
    • Theology Faculty, Collegium Maximum
      [2021-present] Visiting Lecturer / Professore Invitato
  • The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    • [2023-2025] Guest Lecturer
  • École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem
    • [2023-2024] Chercheur invité

  • Saint Aloysius’ College, Malta
    • [2002-2003] Assistant Headmaster
    • [2002-2004] Division Prefect, Form 2 / Year 8
    • [2002-2004] Teacher of English
Fieldwork (excavation & survey)
  • [2013-present] Lautenschläger Expedition to Azekah, Israel, directed by Prof. Oded Lipschits (Tel Aviv University) and Prof. Dr Manfred Oeming (University of Heidelberg).
    • Academic programme coordinator (2025)
    • Area Supervisor, Area N1 (2016-2024)
    • Assistant Area Supervisor, Area N1 (2014-2015)
  • [2022] Excavations at Deir Tantur.
    • Co-director with Nitsan Ben-Melech (Tel Aviv University), with the assistance of Elana Gerber (Tel Aviv University)
  • [2010] Excavation of a Roman period catacomb, Rabat, Malta.
  • [2008] Excavations of a Roman Villa, Żejtun, Malta.
    directed by Prof. A. Bonanno, and Prof. N.C. Vella (University of Malta)
  • [1999-2000] Field survey of Punic tombs at Għajn Klieb, Rabat, Malta.
    directed by Prof. N.C. Vella (University of Malta)
  • [1997-2000] Excavations at Tas-Silġ, Marsaxlokk, Malta.
    directed by Prof. A. Bonanno, and Prof. A.J. Frendo (University of Malta).
    • Area Supervisor: Area C (1999), Area B (2000)
    • Finds’ Hut manager (1997-1999).
Exhibition Curatorship
  • [2016-17] Research associate, Jerusalem: Fall of a City, Rise of a Vision (July 2017). Online exhibition for the centenary of the Society for Old Testament Studies coordinated by Dr C. Crouch (Nottingham), Dr J. Stökl (Kings’, London). Curated the section on daily life in Iron Age Jerusalem.
  • [2007] Exhibition curator, Fr Emmanuel Magri SJ: Jesuit, Ethnographer, Archaeologist, National Museum of Ethnography, Inquisitors’ Palace, Vittoriosa (Malta), March-July 2007.
    ‘Fr Emmanuel Magri SJ: Jesuit, Ethnographer, Archaeologist & His Relation to Gozo,’ Heritage Malta Gozo Area Exhibition Hall, St. Martin’s Quarter, the Citadel, Gozo, October-December 2010.
    Organised by Heritage Malta and the Maltese Jesuit Province.
  • [1996] Exhibition Curator, St Michael’s Chapel. An Exhibition. Organised in collaboration with the Iklin Local Council and Lija Parish, September 1996.
Other professional experience
  • Occasional peer reviewing for:
    • Journals: BASOR, Biblica, Cristianesimo nella Storia, Melita Theologica, Strata.
    • Books: Brill.

Professional associations

  • American Schools of Overseas Research
  • Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society
  • British Association for Near Eastern Archaeology & London Centre for the Ancient Near East
  • Council for British Research in the Levant
  • European Association of Biblical Studies
  • Palestine Exploration Fund
  • Society for Old Testament Studies

Languages

  • Modern languages:
    • Fluent in Maltese (native), English, Italian
    • Good knowledge of French, reading knowledge of Spanish
  • Ancient Languages:
    • Biblical Hebrew, NT Greek
    • Basic knowledge of Akkadian, Latin and some Aramaic, Phoenician.

Scouting, and other ministries

  • [2020-present] Associazione Guide e Scout Cattolici Italiani [AGESCI]
    Awarded The Wood Badge [WOSM] and received the Nomina a Capo [AGESCI] on 12.12.2015, having completed successfully leader training.
    • 2025-present: Scout leader and chaplain, AGESCI Roma 77
    • 2010-2025: Scout leader and chaplain, AGESCI Roma 14
    • 2020-2023: Regional Chaplain, Lazio, appointed by the Bishops’ Conference for the Lazio Region
    • 2017-2020: District Chaplain for the Zona Centro Urbis, appointed by the Diocese of Rome.
    • 2011-2012: Member of the Pattuglia Regionale EG.
  • [2012-2016] The Scout Association, UK
    • 2013-2016: Group Scout Leader, 1st Brixton (Corpus Christi)
    • 2012-2013: Sectional Assistant, 32nd Streatham (St Bartholomew’s)
  • [2012-2017] Parish supply priest
    • 2015-2017: St. Agnes Parish, Cricklewood, UK
    • 2012-2015: Corpus Christi Parish, Brixton, UK
  • [2007] Two weeks of voluntary work the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes, France
  • [2004] One month of voluntary work with Missionaries of Charity. Cairo, Egypt.
  • [2003-2004] Movimento Eucaristico Giovanile, Centro Giovanile Antonianum, Padova, Italy
    • Youth ministry
  • [2000-2002] Azione Cattolica Ragazzi, Regina Pacis Parish, Genova, Italy
    • Youth ministry
  • [1996-2000] University Students Catholic Movement, University of Malta
    • President (1997-1998); PRO (1998-1999)

Updated 12 November 2025