Harry Gilbert is one of MEMS’s CHASE-funded PhD students. In that capacity, he is also one of the organisers of the Medieval and Early Modern Research Network (MEMRN) which brings together early career researchers from across the relevant universities of the south east. Here he reports on the success of the Network’s recent Winter Conference:
The CHASE Medieval and Early Modern Research Network (MEMRN) held its second annual Winter Conference in Norwich this year, hosted by the University of East Anglia (UEA). The conference consisted of three days of temporally, geographically, and thematically varied academic papers; a fascinating keynote lecture by Professor Claire Jowitt; an array of group outings and wellbeing activities; and, of course, a pub quiz (run by yours truly).
MEMS was well represented at the conference, with the wonderful Georgie Anderson, Anisia Iacob, Irene López Huicochea, and I presenting on aspects of our ongoing research.
A highlight for many were the group outings and wellbeing activities, which included, to name a few: a tour of the newly redeveloped Norwich Castle, a visit to Norwich Cathedral, the chance to swing a sword at a local medieval combat school, a workshop in which attendees produced a leaf of their own bestiaries, and a creative writing workshop centred on historical fiction.
From its inception, MEMRN has striven to be an informal, welcoming network for all. We began our journey as a space for academics to present their work-in-progress, or perhaps practice their paper for an upcoming conference, and it has been a true joy to oversee the network as it has grown into what it is today: a community.
I, and the rest of the MEMRN committee (Clara Chamberlain, Max Roantree, and Grace Martial), are incredibly grateful to CHASE for funding this event. We now look forward to the next MEMRN Spring Showcase in the new year!
Everyone in MEMS wants to congratulate Harry and the team on this latest achievement – thank you for all the energy you bring.
