IMEMS Durham

28/05/2026

Warmest congratulations to IMEMS member Dr Lorenzo Dell'Oso (Durham Modern Languages and Cultures), who has been awarded the Pontremoli “Pier delle Vigne” Prize for Medieval Studies in the Young Scholars Category for his book 'Il poeta alle "scuole delli religiosi": Dante, Pietro delle Travi e il convento di Santa Croce (1294–1296)' (Carocci editore, 2026). 🎉

The volume provides privileged access to the intellectual world of the late Middle Ages, revealing a Dante capable not only of listening to and assimilating the thought of his time, but also of transforming it. Read more about Lorenzo's research here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/lorenzo-delloso/

19/05/2026

📢 Job Opportunity at Durham University

Bridging Fellow in Early Modern Italian Studies: https://durham.taleo.net/careersection/du_ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=26000582&lang=en

The Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies seeks to appoint a talented researcher and scholar to the role of Bridging Fellow in the Inventing Futures research programme. The Bridging Fellow will benefit from tailored support to strengthen their skills, will be provided with a range of academic opportunities, and will benefit from protected time to foster different aspects of their careers. We welcome applications from those with research interests in the broad field of early modern Italian studies.

Read more about Inventing Futures: https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/medieval-early-modern-studies/research/

Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

13/05/2026

📍This week, the team working on our Inventing Futures project 'Imagining Alternatives: Utopia in the World' have been on the road...

On Monday, Professor Richard Scholar, Dr Robert Twiss and Dr Laura Mattioli attended a conference at the Maison Française d'Oxford, 'Utopianism & Early Modern Scientific Collaboration'.

Tuesday saw the team participate in a workshop entitled 'Technologies of Wonder: Imagination and the History of Knowledge' at Queen Mary University of London, where they were joined in a panel discussion by Professor David Colclough.

Read more about 'Imagining Alternatives: Utopia in the World', generously supported by Joanna and Graham Barker, here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/medieval-early-modern-studies/research/inventing-futures/imagining-alternatives-utopia-in-the-world/

07/05/2026

UPCOMING CONFERENCE: 'Daphne and Her Sisters: Framing Gendered Violence in Early Modern Literature and Art' | Durham University| 10-11 June 2026 📅

📲 Register now: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/british-academy-conferences/daphne-and-her-sisters-gendered-violence-early-modern-literature/

'Daphne and her Sisters’ investigates how gendered violence is represented in 15th- and 16th-century European literature and art. While these works are often critiqued for privileging male voices and perpetuating a male gaze that objectifies women, early modern texts and images continue to captivate global libraries, galleries, and audiences, with scholarly and public debate enhancing their cultural significance.

This conference brings together scholars to explore how these works portray gendered violence, the purposes these portrayals served in their historical contexts, and the implications of studying them today. Speakers examine specific texts and artworks, reflecting on the insights they offer and the ethical considerations they raise, fostering critical discussion about the enduring power and complexity of early modern representations of gender

06/05/2026

Last week, IMEMS Director Ita Mac Carthy was part of a panel discussion exploring how universities and cultural institutions can work together to deepen engagement with Italian language and culture, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and create new opportunities for students, researchers, and the wider public. Also on the panel were Francesco Bongarrà, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute London, and, from Durham University, Professor Katrin Wehling-Giorgi and Simon Litchfield, Deputy Head of Global Opportunities and Experience.

Dr Bongarrà, along with Mr Gabriele Magagnin, Italian Consul General (Manchester), were in Durham to celebrate and strengthen the University's longstanding ties with Italy. Read more about their visit here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/latest-news/2026/05/durham-and-italy/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRoOX1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeuCLSuz49_op66PmcH_crxUVuk4h92mTpFkUILY0Inyt61JnLeZCkIQY9smI_aem_B3lqKgHZqT-qd_UphuUtbA

01/05/2026

📢 UPCOMING CONFERENCE: 'Daphne and Her Sisters: Framing Gendered Violence in Early Modern Literature and Art' | Durham University | 10-11 June 2026

📅 Register now: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/british-academy-conferences/daphne-and-her-sisters-gendered-violence-early-modern-literature/

'Daphne and her Sisters’ investigates how gendered violence is represented in 15th- and 16th-century European literature and art. While these works are often critiqued for privileging male voices and perpetuating a male gaze that objectifies women, early modern texts and images continue to captivate global libraries, galleries, and audiences, with scholarly and public debate enhancing their cultural significance.

This conference brings together scholars to explore how these works portray gendered violence, the purposes these portrayals served in their historical contexts, and the implications of studying them today. Speakers examine specific texts and artworks, reflecting on the insights they offer and the ethical considerations they raise, fostering critical discussion about the enduring power and complexity of early modern representations of gender.

01/05/2026

Today, the is on Professor Colleen Batey!🔎

Dr Colleen Batey is an Honorary Professor at IMEMS and the World Heritage Site, supported by University's Heritage 360 project and University College Durham (Castle). An expert on early medieval archaeology, she specialises in the Viking and late Norse periods and has worked in academic teaching and research, lifelong learning, museum curation, community archaeology, and visitor interpretation and engagement.

Professor Batey is an active Honorary Research Fellow at St John’s College and the Department of Archaeology at Durham, and is an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (HonFSAScot). Her most recent publication, 'The Earl’s Bu, Orphir: feasting, farming and commerce at the heart of the Orkney Norse Earldom', was released in November 2025.

30/04/2026

Beautiful views from IMEMS today! ☀

Our programme of regular Research Showcases and Forges is finished for the year, but we'll still be hosting a rich array of researchers, workshops, and activities at the Institute this term.📍

Read more about the research we champion: https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/medieval-early-modern-studies/research/

23/04/2026

Congratulations to our member Dr Jacob Lollar (Durham Department of Classics and Ancient History) on the publication of 'Shortening the Ladder: Epitomizing Climacus in the Syriac Tradition'! 📖🎉

💥 Congratulations to Dr Jacob Lollar who has contributed an essay to a new volume 'The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John of Sinai (Climacus): New Perspectives'

📖 Dr Lollar's essay is entitled 'Shortening the Ladder: Epitomizing Climacus in the Syriac Tradition'

🔗 https://tinyurl.com/mscjyfas

21/04/2026

Today, the is on Gary Bankhead! 🔍

Find out more about Gary's latest publication, Pilgrim Souvenirs, Devotional and Other Objects of Faith (2025): https://www.diveintodurham.uk/publications.htm

Gary Bankhead is an underwater archaeologist and Honorary Fellow in Durham University’s Department of Archaeology. A specialist in small‑finds research, riverine archaeology and community‑led investigation, he focuses particularly on the material culture of devotion, trade and everyday life. He is lead investigator of a community‑driven project along the River Wear which is reshaping understandings of early industries in the region. 🛠️

Gary works closely with Durham University MA students, as well as the Nautical Archaeology Society, the Tyneside Metal Detecting Association and local volunteers, promoting inclusive approaches to archaeological research. He is also an external specialist for the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA).

Archaeology at Durham University