Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Biennial Conference 2024
8 – 11 February 2024
Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand
Conference Theme
Legacies and Relevance: Exploring the Medieval & Early Modern World Beyond Europe.
What is the role of the medieval or Early Modern scholar in Australasian society?
How does pre-modern European History “add value” in Australasia? Is its study the vestige of an outdated colonial legacy? Or is it something else? Where does it stand in a world of toppled statues and questioned legacies? In the face of an Australian government overtly committed to defunding the Arts and a New Zealand government with similar aims (but a less confrontational way of putting it), should we now re-focus the curricula of universities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand on what matters? But what does matter? And who should decide?
In the wake of a global pandemic, which has re-written “business as usual,” is it time for a reformation or for holding fast? This conference will showcase the best of scholarship across a range of disciplines pursued by medieval and Early Modern scholars, but will also seek to ask complex and challenging questions about the future of our discipline. Can the study of medieval and Early Modern Europe help to meet the needs of our times? What is the role of the medieval or Early Modern scholar in Australasian society? Indeed, what was it? In considering these issues, we encourage the exploration of questionable as well as positive legacies, and offer a forum to consider the possible future(s) of our discipline.
The Call for Papers will be circulated in mid-2023.
Early Letters of Acceptance
For those requiring a letter of acceptance in order to secure institutional support prior to the release of the formal Call For Papers please submit your Expression of Interest including the following:
- Your name
- Proposed Paper Title
- A brief abstract (maximum 200 words)
- Your Institutional Affiliation
- Your Email Address
- Your reason for requiring an early letter of acceptance.
To the Conference Convenors: anzamems2024@gmail.com
The Conference Committee will contact you to make appropriate arrangements.
ANZAMEMS Exhibition
Recovered Relics: Telling the Story of the Relic Collection lost and found beneath Christchurch’s Catholic basilica
10 – 11 February 2024
This exhibition will be sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Archives.
ANZAMEMS Conference Seminar
13 – 14 February 2024
University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
The postgraduate / early career training seminar will be held at the University of Otago in Dunedin.
This will be held after the completion of the ANZAMEMS conference in Christchurch.
The 12th of February will be kept free as a travel day for those travelling between Christchurch and Dunedin.
Conference Organising Committee
Convenors
- Co-Convenor: Dr Madi Williams (UC Aotahi)
Dr Madi Williams (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Kōata) is a Lecturer in Aotahi: School of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Canterbury. She is a historian whose research looks at iwi and Māori histories and the philosophy of history. Her main interest is exploring the histories of the iwi of Te Waipounamu | the South Island. Her first book Polynesia, 900-1600, explores the European Middle Ages in the context of South Polynesia. She is currently working on a book on the history of Ngāti Kuia.
- Co-Convenor & Budget Officer: A/Prof Chris Jones (UC History)
Dr Chris Jones is an Associate Professor in History at the University of Canterbury. He is a medieval historian whose research explores the history of political thought and concepts of identity, with a particular focus on the thought of late medieval French chroniclers. An interest in the legacies of the medieval and Early Modern world in Aotearoa led him to, among other projects, explore connections between Magna Carta and New Zealand. He is Co-Director of the Canterbury Roll Project, a student-led digital venture that has produced an innovative new edition and translation of New Zealand’s most significant medieval manuscript. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and of the Royal Historical Society, and a past president of ANZAMEMS.
Members
- Professor Clemency Montelle (UC Mathematics & Statistics)
- Professor Paul Millar (UC English/Digital Humanities)
- Associate Professor Lyndon Fraser (UC History)
- Associate Professor Mike Grimshaw (UC Sociology)
- Professor Jonathan Le Cocq (UC Music)
- Dr Karen Jillings (Massey University, History)
- ANZAMEMS Seminar Organiser: Professor Simone Marshall (University of Otago, English & Linguistics)
