Centre for the Study of the Viking Age
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Cassidy Croci

Research Student,

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Research Summary

Current Status

PhD (full-time)- currently registered

Research Topic

Visualizing social networks in Landnámabók

Research Summary

My research project investigates multiple familial, spatial and social networks in Landnámabók using a novel interdisciplinary methodology combining historical and literary approaches with social network analysis and visual analytics. This approach visualizes networks in Landnámabók as well as uncovers emerging patterns of diaspora, settlement, migration and place.

Landnámabók is a useful source to investigate networks because it contains 'some 3,500 personal names and more than 1,500 place-names' (Benediktsson 1969: 275). The text enumerates the initial settlers of Iceland and their settlements clockwise around the island during the landnámsöld (c. 870-930). Yet, it is more than a mere catalogue. The genealogies of Landnámabók extend forwards and backwards through time and the text is furnished with short narratives describing settlers, their families and land-claims. Additionally, there are five extant versions of Landnámabók, three medieval (Sturlubók, Hauksbók, Melabók) and two early modern (Skarðsárbók and Þórðarbók). These factors make Landnámabók an ideal choice to apply social network analysis.

Research Interests

  • Viking Age
  • Old Norse-Icelandic literature
  • Social network analysis and visual analytics
  • Medieval Scandinavian history
  • Diaspora and Migration studies

Research Supervisors

Primary Funding Sources

American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellowships for Americans in the Nordic Countries, American Fellow 2022/23

Economic History Society Bursary Scheme for PhD Students 20/21

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for Research Excellence (International)

Christine Fell Award

Research Institutes, Centres and/or Research Clusters Memberships

Centre for the Study of the Viking Age

Publications

Reviews

Croci. C., 2022. Relations of power: women's networks in the Middle Ages (review), Emma O. Bérat, Rebecca Hardie & Irina Dumitrescu (eds), Peritia 33, 315-8

Croci. C., 2022. What is North? Imagining the North from Ancient Times to the Present Day (review), Oisín Plumb, Alexandra Sandmark, and Donna Heddle (eds), Saga-Book XLVI, 181-3

Croci, C., 2018. Medievalism: A Critical History (review), David Matthews, TOEBI Newsletter XXXV, 26-9

Conference Reports

Croci, C., 2019. The Richard Hall Symposium 2019: Women and Power in the Viking World, 24 February 2019, York, England. Kyngervi. 1, 137-41

Public Engagement

Croci, C., 2019. 'International Student Ambassadors: Cassidy Croci from the United States', UoN Blogs/International Students

Croci, C., 2018. 'Norse Notes: Astound your friends with these fascinating Viking facts', AQUILA, 20

Croci, C., and Dale, R., 2017. The Vikings on your doorstep, Discover: The University of Nottingham's Manuscripts and Special Collections, 6-7

Croci, C., 2017. 'Viking and Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire', UoN Blogs/ Bringing Vikings Back to the East Midlands

Conference Papers & Presentations

'Landnámabók(s): Untangling the social and textual networks of Iceland's Book of Settlements', 16th Annual Midlands Viking Symposium, 24 September 2022, University of Birmingham (online, invited)

'Garðarshólmr: Exploring the Social Networks of Eastern Scandinavians in Landnámabók', 18th Annual Saga Conference, 7-14 August 2022, University of Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn University, Estonia

'Building Bridges: Visualising the absence, relationships, and role of women in Landnámabók' (poster), 19th Viking Congress, 23-29 July 2022, University of Liverpool, England

'Crossing Quarters: Textual and Disciplinary Boundaries in Landnámabók' and Network Analysis for Medievalists, II: Opportunities and Challenges - A Round Table Discussion, International Medieval Congress, 5-9 July 2021, University of Leeds (online)

'Constructing Settlement: Social Network Analysis and Landnámabók', International Medieval Congress, 1-4 July 2019, University of Leeds, England

'A New Method for the (Land)-taking: Social Network Analysis and Landnámabók', 13th International Postgraduate Symposium in Old Norse Studies, 8-10 April 2019, University of Bergen, Norway

'Driving the Saga Narrative: Assembly Routes in the Icelandic Landscape', Settlement in the Danelaw, Medieval Settlement Research Group Winter Seminar, 8 December 2018, University of Leicester, England

Teaching

The City Literary Institute, Tutor (Jan 2022-Jan 2023), created and delivered two online courses aimed at adult learners. 'Norse Code: Deciphering the Viking Age' (eight weeks) was and interdisciplinary course providing a brief overview of the Viking Age (c. 750-1100 CE) through the exploration of medieval texts, place-names, and artefacts from a variety of perspectives and themes. The second course 'The Viking Age in 50 objects, c. 750-1100 CE' (five weeks) explored the journeys of fifty Viking Age (c. 750-1100 CE) objects. We examined the influence of these objects on people and how people understood these objects by constructing object biographies.

School of English, University of Nottingham Teaching Affiliate (Oct 2019-Jan 2020), lead seminars on the second-year course 'Ice and Fire: Myths and Heroes of the North'. This interdisciplinary module introduced the myths and legends that trace their roots back to the Viking Age. We explored these texts from a variety of perspectives and themes, which enabled students to develop a familiarity with a range of critical approaches, methodologies, and skills to set them up for success when undertaking independent research.

Impact and Outreach

Former Student Coordinator for Vikings for Schools, a volunteering project aimed to make our research expertise in this area available to schools through carefully-selected, age-appropriate and tailored events. We strive to enthuse and encourage the next generation of Viking and Anglo-Saxon experts!

Museum Outreach Facilitator for the University of Nottingham Museum of Archaeology .

Learning Community Forum (School of English), International Student Representative, 2019-22.

Additional Information

Managing Editor for Apardjón Journal for Scandinavian Studies, Sept 2021-current

Research Affiliate on AncientBiotics, Oct 2021-Dec 2021

Research Affiliate on project entitled 'Vikings in the East Midlands' for the Centre for the Study of the Viking Age, Jan 2019-May 2019, March 2020- July 2021

Research Assistant on project entitled 'Staffordshire Place-name Project' for the Institute for Name-Studies, Jan 2019- June 2019

Event Organizer for AHRC funded project entitled 'Danelaw Saga: Bringing Vikings back to the East Midlands', July 2017- Jan 2018. Project was a finalist for the Faculty of Arts Knowledge Exchange and Impact Award at the University of Nottingham, 22 November 2018

International Student Ambassador for the University of Nottingham.

Education

MA Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies, University of Nottingham, UK, 2017

BSc (Honors) Business Administration with option in Entrepreneurial Studies dual minor in History and International Affairs, University of New Hampshire, USA, 2016

Centre for the Study of the Viking Age

Trent Building
The University of Nottingham
University Park

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 5900
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 5924
email: csva@nottingham.ac.uk