Postgraduate Conference 2010

3rd Annual Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Conference of the
Institute for Medieval Research University of Nottingham

Constructing and Transmitting Identities in the Medieval World

Textual and Material Perspectives

6th November 2010

The recent interest in ‘identity politics’ is testament to the enduring importance of the construction and expression of identities in the present and the past. Whether consciously or unconsciously, individuals and groups in contemporary and medieval societies were constantly formulating, evolving and accumulating their sense of self. They defined their ‘life-world’ in multiple spheres, from the cultural, political and religious to the economic, material and ethnic.

Recognising the usefulness of an interdisciplinary approach to the question of identity, this conference encourages contributions from postgraduates from a wide range of disciplines, incorporating archaeological, historical, literary or sociological methods. Research will be presented either in the form of a paper presentation or a poster, and should address how medieval identities were constructed, manifested and transmitted. It is hoped that a wide range of themes and source materials, from literature to material culture, will be utilised. Possible topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Material culture and its study in social history and archaeology 
• Architecture 
• Music and theatre 
• Gender, sexuality and the body 
• Politics and trade 
• Interaction between different cultures 
• Art, iconography and heraldry as visual markers of identity

We welcome abstracts of c. 200 words for both paper presentations and posters, not exceeding 250 words. Abstracts should be sent to Teva Vidal (aextov@nottingham.ac.uk) by 27 August, 2010.

Papers should be 15-20 minutes in length. Posters should fit onto one A1 format sheet. A poster session will be held to give presenters the opportunity to elaborate on their posters, but we will also accept submissions for posters for display only.