30th Texas Medieval Association Annual Conference
October 2–3, 2020
VIRTUAL MEETING
Hosted by the University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Conference Theme:
Medieval STEAM: (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics)
Inaugural Permanent Conference Thematic Strand:
Race and Medieval Studies
#TEMA2020
The 30th Annual Conference of the Texas Medieval Association will be held virtually, via an online platform, and hosted by the University of North Texas.
The 2020 TEMA program committee is pleased to invite papers and sessions on all topics in medieval studies. We especially invite papers and sessions contributing to the 2020 conference theme of Medieval STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), as well as papers and sessions that contribute to the theme of Race and Medieval Studies, the focus of an inaugural thread of linked thematic sessions that will be a permanent feature of our annual meetings.
Medieval STEAM puts the “A” in “STEM” by including the “arts” alongside science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Participants are invited to contribute to this year’s theme by proposing papers, sessions, and roundtables that consider the essential role of that which we now call “the humanities” and “the arts” in medieval science and technology — and how that interdisciplinary collaboration is still vital today. Those who wish to connect to the conference theme may seek to explore any one of these areas individually, or to connect the various elements found in Medieval STEAM, in either their modern or medieval iterations.
TEMA recognizes diversity as critical component of medieval studies. Therefore, the organizers of the 2020 TEMA meeting are establishing a permanent strand of linked thematic sessions on Race and Medieval Studies that will be part of all future meetings. Papers, sessions, roundtables, and other events that engage with any aspect of this theme are very welcome. This year, suggestions that consider Black Lives Matter in conjunction with medieval studies are especially encouraged.
Papers may be submitted in any language, but if you wish to present in a language other than English, please specify this preference. Send title and abstract of approximately 200 words to texasmedieval@gmail.com (with TEMA 2020 PROPOSAL in the subject line) no later than September 1, 2020. Early submission is encouraged: rolling acceptance will begin on July 1, 2020. Among proposals for full sessions, those including participants from more than one institution will be given priority. A prize will be awarded for the best paper by a graduate student. For more information, visit the Texas Medieval Association website [www.texasmedieval.net].
TEMA Values
Founded in 1986 to promote medieval studies in Texas, TEMA invites medieval scholars throughout Texas and the Southwest to gather annually to share ideas, collaborate on publications, and mentor students in a safe, nurturing community in which everyone may participate. In our formal statement of policies, we assert our belief that diversity is crucial to medieval studies. TEMA supports a learning community that embraces our members for their individual differences and offers respect for their unique perspectives. In support of this academic vision, TEMA does not tolerate discrimination based on academic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious belief, or racial/ethnic background. Moreover, TEMA has a strong history of collegiality and mentoring. We welcome papers from medievalists at every point of their professional development, from graduate students to emeritus scholars; from K-12 and secondary teachers to those at the collegiate level; from affiliated scholars to those currently unaffiliated. TEMA has built a friendly and non-threatening conference atmosphere that treats everyone as a colleague, no matter their “rank.” The purpose of our annual conference is to help each medievalist further develop their ideas, while benefitting from the feedback of a diverse, encouraging community.
