The Medieval Academy Blog

We hope you had a fine summer and are enjoying our July issue! We’ve recently compiled some statistics that may be of interest to the MAA membership, showing exactly who publishes in Speculum. These statistics cover the 2024 through 2026 volumes, including the Centennial Issue but excluding Speculations. Each author of a co-authored article is considered separately.

In terms of nationality (current location, not country of origin), 60 authors or 68% were from the U.S., followed by 10 authors or 11% from the United Kingdom. We had four authors each from Ireland and Israel, and two each from Canada, France, and Norway. One author each came from Germany, Hungary, Iceland, and Switzerland. In reality, the demographics are even more diverse, since many authors who now teach or study in the U.S. and the U.K. are natives of other countries. The 2027 volume will include scholars from Denmark, Poland, and Spain.

We also tracked career status. The great majority of authors (62 or 70%) were tenured or tenure-track faculty. But we also had a generous showing of early-career scholars: 8 postdocs, 7 Ph.D. candidates, and 1 visiting assistant professor. (These statistics may be misleading in a rather encouraging way: some articles by graduate students and postdocs were accepted and, by the time they reached publication, the authors had moved into tenure-track positions.) In addition, 3 authors were emeritus faculty, 2 were independent scholars, and 6 were employed in “alt/ac” careers such as publishing and museums.

So, wherever you are and whatever your status, all medievalists are welcome! Please consider publishing in Speculum.

Dear Medieval Academy Members,

It is my pleasure to report on the current status of the MAA’s Database of Medieval Digital Resources. Since taking on the role of coordinator in April, the backlog of projects waiting to be reviewed has been substantially reduced. In April 2026 there were thirty-seven projects waiting to be reviewed. Some of these had already been included in MDR, while others were not eligible for inclusion (or the site was no longer available). Quite a few were successfully reviewed, and currently of those thirty-seven projects only nine remain in the queue. Since May 2026 there are also four new submissions awaiting reviews, bringing the total to thirteen outstanding projects. Time to review has now decreased quite significantly, but is dependent on being able to find subject experts to review each project (on which more below).

MDR is host to a great number of digital projects and is an excellent “clearinghouse” for medieval digital projects. Over (roughly) the last year fifteen new projects were added. Some, such as the Monasterium Digital Archive or the Princeton Index of Medieval Art may be familiar, but there are many great projects to explore. For instance the Corpus Synodalium which is a database of extant local ecclesiastical legislation issued across Latin Christendom from ca. 1215-ca.1500. Two sites from the Germania Sacra online project provide databases of people and religious institutions. Several linguistic resources were also added, covering Middle English verse, medieval Spanish, and Byzantine Greek. If you have not yet explored the database, I strongly recommend that you do! Even if you have used it before, there are new projects to view and learn from.

The Standards for Web Publication have also been adapted to deal with AI-generated content and projects. The new policy can be found under Section One (“Scholarly Quality”) and reads: “Projects must unambiguously center human researchers who are accountable and responsible for all content. While AI or related technologies may be used as complementary tools—e.g., to assist transcription, pattern recognition, or data visualization—nominated projects must transparently document any AI-generated workflow or content to be included in MDR.” In short, an entirely AI generated website, without proper documentation and accessible human editors who can respond to issues, is not eligible. This policy is not a total ban on AI-generated workflows or processes, but ensures that AI is only to be incorporated in certain parts of the project and with clear documentation.

The successful continuation of MDR depends on new submissions and finding subject-expertise reviewers who are willing to evaluate those submissions. If you are interested in submitting a project, you can do so by going to: https://mdr-maa.org/about/suggest-a-resource. Please note, online journals or monographs are not eligible for inclusion.

Subject experts are critical to verifying the scholarly quality of these digital projects, and is a great service to the field and the MAA. These reviews are relatively simple to conduct and can be completed relatively quickly. If you are interested in being a reviewer for MDR please get in touch by filling out the MAA’s Service Nomination Form: https://www.medievalacademy.org/page/Committee_Service_Nomination_Form.

Anyone can reach out to me with questions or suggestions at jdellisola@themedievalacademy.org.

Sincerely,

Jon Dell Isola

Special Projects Assistant and Coordinator, Database of Medieval Digital Resources

Season 6 Call for Proposals | The Multicultural Middle Ages Podcast
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026

After five successful seasons, The Multicultural Middle Ages Podcast (MMA) will return for its sixth in 2027. Sponsored by the Medieval Academy of America (MAA), the MMA is an anthology-style podcast that seeks to continue conversations and generate new avenues of inquiry related to the Middle Ages that emphasize the period’s diversity and the scholarship related to it. We highlight thoughtful reflections on culturally responsible approaches to the study of the Middle Ages (expansive beyond western Europe) and its afterlives.

We invite proposals from individuals and collaborators of all ranks and disciplines, especially graduate students, for single podcast episodes aimed at fellow medievalists as well as the wider public.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

· innovative methodological and interdisciplinary approaches to the Middle Ages

· the future of medieval studies

· research on the multicultural, multiracial, and multiethnic Middle Ages

· discussions of recent scholarship and publications

· archival discoveries

· academic activism and responses to misappropriations of the Middle Ages

· pedagogical approaches

· medievalisms

· medieval culture in contemporary political and public discourse

· cultural heritage and approaches to curating exhibitions of the Middle Ages

Possible formats include narrative expositions, interviews, panel discussions, textual and material analyses, and oral performances.

No previous experience with podcasting is required. The Graduate Student Committee of the MAA has hosted several workshops on podcasting for beginners, which are now available on the MAA YouTube channel, and if accepted, an MMA producer will support you through the episode development and post-production process. We do not turn away contributors due to a lack of podcasting expertise!

To help us assess the project’s potential, your submission must include a brief description (500 words), noting the following:

· chosen topic, its relevance to the podcast, and a working title

· plan for adapting to the podcast medium (35–45 min. episodes are encouraged, but proposals of shorter or longer durations are also welcome)

· format (interview, roundtable, etc.) with an outline of anticipated structure

· assistance needed to realize the episode (note: we handle final editing, but please let us know if you would also need help recording or facilitating an interview, etc.)

Please also include each episode author’s name, CV, and email address.

Submit your proposals and any questions to mmapodcast1@gmail.com by 15 October 2026.

The Multicultural Middle Ages Podcast Production Team
Will Beattie
Reed O’Mara
Logan Quigley
Jonathan Correa Reyes
Loren Easterday Lee Cantrell

Submissions for the 2027 MAA Publication Prizes are now being accepted. Submissions and dossiers must be submitted by Oct. 15 using our Publication Prize portal.

Through its Publication Prize program, the Medieval Academy of America aims to accomplish three goals:

1) Honoring and promoting outstanding scholarship produced by medievalists;

2) Supporting authors in any medieval field and at all career levels by raising the visibility of their scholarship;

3) Acknowledging the work of publishers of all kinds.

Award-winning publications scholarship should function as a model of current best practices in Medieval Studies and as a model for the future of the field. Although the various Prizes have specific eligibility criteria, general procedures and requirements are as follows:

1) In contrast to past years, authors of submitted books need not be members of the Medieval Academy of America.

2) All prize winners will receive a complimentary one-year MAA membership in addition to the prize.

3) All publishers are eligible, whether non-profit or for-profit.

4) Nominations may be submitted by authors or by publishers, but all submissions must use the central Publications Prize Portal. Please note that incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

5) Ordinarily a nomination should go forward in a single category for a given year. Authors and publishers should contact the Executive Director LFD@TheMedievalAcademy.org for queries about exceptions to this policy.

6) Monographs that have previously been awarded an MAA Publication Prize are not eligible for other MAA Publication Prizes except for the Haskins Medal.

7) Submissions may be by hardcopy and/or eBook but eBook is preferred.

8) All submissions and supporting documents must be received by 15 October.

9) Prizes will be announced in February and awarded during the annual meeting of the Medieval Academy of America.

10) Authors need not be residents of North America, but all submissions must be written in English.

Monograph Prizes:

John Nicholas Brown Prize: Best First Monograph

Byzantine Studies Prize: Best Monograph in Byzantine Studies

Karen Gould Prize: Best Medieval Art History Monograph

Haskins Medal: Best Monograph in Medieval Studies

Jerome Singerman Prize: Best Second Monograph

Article Prizes:

Article Prize in Critical Race Studies: Best Article in the field of Medieval Critical Race Studies

Van Courtlandt Elliott Prize: Best Early-Career Article

Other Formats:

Digital Humanities and Multimedia Studies Prize: Best DH Project

Monica Green Prize: For an exceptional project (for example, a publication, exhibit, performance, or DH project) that shows the importance of studying the medieval past to understand the present.

The Medieval Academy of America’s Committee on Centers and Regional Associations (CARA) invites nominations to fill one upcoming vacancies on its Executive Committee. CARA strives to assist institutions and individual medievalists in meeting the challenges that face medieval studies in the classroom, the library, and other institutional settings locally and nationally.

Members of the Executive Committee serve four-year terms; in addition to working with the CARA Chair on programming, outreach, and curricular initiatives, each member serves on two of CARA’s four subcommittees responsible for the CARA Teaching Award, the CARA Robert Kendrick Service Prize, the CARA Regional Conference Grant, and the MAA-CARA Graduate Student Summer Scholarships.

Service on the CARA Executive Committee is open to all members in good standing of the Medieval Academy of America, who may nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual. Given our goals to have regional representation on the Executive Committee, we are particularly encouraging medievalists with experience or appointments in the southwest, west, or on the west coast to apply. Nominations should include the following:

1. Name of nominee;

2. Nominee’s institutional or professional affiliation (including that of independent scholar);

3. A brief (c. 250-word) statement indicating the nominee’s qualifications for Executive Committee service, including their contributions to the areas of teaching, center or program administration, and/or professional collaboration and development in the field of Medieval Studies.

In accordance with CARA’s Policies and Procedures, nominations will be accepted until 1 November 2026 and reviewed thereafter by the CARAE xecutive Committee, which will forward its recommended candidate for approval by the Medieval Academy’s Council. The term of service for new members will begin at the conclusion of CARA’s annual meeting at University of Toronto in April 2026. Please send nominations, as well as any questions or requests for further information, to the CARA Chair, Lauren Mancia (LaurenMancia@brooklyn.cuny.edu).

We are very pleased to announce that the MAA is continuing its partnership with the American Trust for the British Library! MAA grantwinners who need to conduct research at the British Library are eligible for an additional $2,500 Fellowship from ATBL to support that research. When you apply for an MAA grant, you may check a box indicating your interest in being considered for this supplementary Fellowship, should your MAA application be funded. We are extremely grateful to the ATBL for supporting our members in such a generous way!

The Medieval Academy of America invites applications for the following grants. Please note that applicants must be members in good standing at the time of application.

Fellows Research Awards

The Fellows of the Medieval Academy of America have donated funds to support two research awards for members of the Medieval Academy who do not have access to research funding. Two Awards of $5,000 will be funded each year to Ph.D. candidates and/or non-tenure-track scholars to support research in medieval studies. The awards will help fund travel and/or access expenses to consult original sources, archives, manuscripts, works of art, or monuments in situ. To apply for a Fellows Research Award, submit the application form and attachment by October 15, 2026.

MAA/CARA Conference Grant

The MAA/CARA Conference Grant will be awarded annually to a regional or consortial Medieval Studies Program or Association to support an annual regional or consortial conference taking place the year after the application is submitted (for example, applications will be accepted in 2025 for conferences taking place in 2026). Awards will be based on proposals adjudicated by the Academy’s CARA Committee. One (1) grant of $1,000 will be awarded each year. (Deadline 15 October 2026)

Schallek Fellowship

Funded by the Richard III Society, American Branch. As of July 2024, the scope and amount of the Schallek program have changed in accordance with the Society’s instructions, as follows: “Applications will be solicited from graduate students whose work, in any relevant discipline, focuses primarily on the late medieval period in England or any of the British Isles, or which involves British connections to the European Continent in the late medieval period. ‘Late Medieval’ will be defined broadly as the period c.1350-1500 or so.” The Schallek Fellowship provides a one-year grant of $40,000 to support Ph.D. dissertation research. (Deadline 15 October 2026 for funding beginning in September 2027)

Travel Grants

The Medieval Academy provides a limited number of travel grants to help Academy members who hold PhDs but have no access to institutional travel funding, attend conferences to present their work. Exceptions to the PhD requirement may be made for unaffiliated or contingent scholars who are active in Medieval Studies (Deadline 1 November 2026 for meetings to be held between 16 February and 31 August 2027)

In our first year collaborating with the American Trust for the British Library (see above), eight MAA grantwinners applied for supplementary funding from ATBL to support research at the British Library. Two grants were awarded: Tiago Viula de Faris (winner of the 2026 Belle da Costa Greene Award from the MAA) received the 2026-2027 Martha Driver ATBL-MAA Research Fellowship to support research for his book project, Falconry: Cultural Syncretism in Medieval and Early Modern Portugal (c. 1100–1600). Katherine Churchill (recipient of a 2026 Olivia Remie Constable Award) received a 2026-2027 ATBL-MAA Research Fellowship to support research for her book project, Archival Entanglements: Poetry, Posterity, and Late Medieval English and French Literature.

We are so grateful to the ATBL and its generous donors for their support of our grantwinners.

Annual Fall CARA Discussion Circle (on Zoom)
Moderated by CARA chair Lauren Mancia (Brooklyn College/CUNY)

Friday, September 18th
2pm-3pm EDT

Are you a director of a Medieval Studies program, major, or minor on your campus? Are you a coordinator of medievalists in your university and/or city and/or region? Are you an advocate for premodern/Medieval Studies in any way at your university? Come join us! This is a discussion session for faculty members around the country, during which we hope to hear from you all and each other about what Medieval Studies looks like on your campus and in your region, what challenges you are facing, what victories you are winning, how you advocate for Medieval Studies on your campus, and what do you need in 2026.

The goals of this session is (a) to find community among those of us who are working to advocate and program for Medieval Studies around the country and (b) to help CARA better serve your needs, so please do come let your voices be heard! Please join us, and invite people you know who are working to advocate and organize for Medieval Studies! And if you can’t go to these sessions, but have some feedback for us to consider, please do email CARA chair Lauren Mancia at laurenmancia@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Click here to register!

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The Future of Translation Work for Teaching and Scholarship
Tuesday, October 6th
2:30-3:30pm EDT

Panelists: Anna Siebach-Larson (U of Rochester / METS); Daniel Donoghue (Harvard / Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library); Albrecht Diem (Syracuse U)

Translations of medieval sources allow us to bring the Middle Ages to life for our students and ensure future generations’ interest in the premodern past. But while translation work requires substantial time and expertise, it is often undervalued relative to other kinds of scholarship. The advent of AI and open access publication has also brought new opportunities and challenges for translators and editors. Given this, how can we support the vital work of translators and help scholars articulate the value of translation as they navigate the job market, tenure and promotion, and funding opportunities? Whether you are actively engaged in a translation project or just curious about how this kind of work might fit into your professional trajectory as a medievalist, we hope you will join us for a conversation about the future of translation work in medieval studies.

Click here to register!

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How to talk to your Provost or President: Advice from Medievalist Provosts & Presidents
Friday, January 22, 2027
5pm-6pm EST

Moderated by Christina Christoforatou Konstantinis (Baruch College, CUNY). 

Panelists: Anne Harris, Grinnell College, Iowa (President of Grinnell College and Professor of Art History); Jeff Bowman, Kenyon College, Ohio (Provost of Kenyon College and Professor of History); David Sylvester, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto (President of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, and Professor of History)

So many of us who are working to advocate for medieval studies in universities today are trying to better understand our academic administrators. How can we advocate for our programs at an age that seems to increasingly devalue the Humanities and premodern studies across disciplines? What initiatives, partnerships, or investments are possible and worth pursuing? How can faculty advocate for their programs, scholarship, and students? Join us for this special CARA zoom session when we will get the inside scoop thanks to this panel of medievalist-provosts and presidents. To better streamline our conversation, please send any questions you might have for our panel of provosts and presidents by January 7, 2027 (email them to laurenmancia@brooklyn.cuny.edu).

Click here to register.

Miriamne Krummel (Univ. of Dayton) delivered an invited keynote at the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds, titled “Making Jewish Temporality: Past Imperfect, Present (Re)Imagined, and Future Unknown.” Registered IMC attendees may view the lecture here.

A team led by Dr. Krista Sue-Lo Twu (Univ. of Minnesota, Duluth) received a $12,000 Institute for Advanced Study Research & Collaborative Grant to support The Liberal Artisan project. This grant from the University of Minnesota Imagine Fund will be used to establish a Research and Creative Collaborative that reconnects labor and scholarship, the mind and the hand, and the material and the theoretical in a program fostering a way of being and working grounded in embodied communities of knowledge and skill.

Tom Prinz (Scholars Choice books) was honored at the International Congress on Medieval Studies in recognition of his fiftieth year as an Exhibitor.

Nancy Wicker (Univ. of Mississippi) was invited to present the annual lecture in humanities and social sciences (Akademiforelesningen i Humaniora og Samfunnsvitenskap) for the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (Det Norske Videnskaps-Akademi) on March 23, 2026, in Oslo. Her lecture was titled “People in Scandinavian Viking-Age Art: Makers, Patrons, Consumers, and Subjects.”

Congratulations! If you have good news to share, please send it to Executive Director Lisa Fagin Davis.