Call for papers: Swansea University conference ‘Race’, Divisive Law and Group Identity in Medieval Europe

‘Race’, Divisive Law and Group Identity in Medieval Europe
Swansea University, UK (in association with Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland), 7 and 8 September 2023

The process of colonisation at the European ‘peripheries’ (e.g. Wales, Ireland, Prussia, Livonia, reconquest Spain, the Levant, etc.), increasing legal consciousness and categorisation, and growing self-awareness among literary, occupational and political communities transformed the social and political landscape of later medieval Europe’s core and peripheral areas alike. This conference shall bring together exciting new perspectives on processes of group formation, group legal and social articulation, and interaction between groups and authorities, broadly conceived

This will be an interdisciplinary conference welcoming historians, art historians, archaeologists, literary scholars and sociologists. It will discuss the complex relationships that existed between two or more of: formulations of ‘race’ (biological, ethnic, linguistic or proto-national), divisive laws and identity groups. We welcome perspectives incorporating, for example: colonisation, urbanisation, spiritual space, integration/assimilation, rebellion, minority experience, self-expression, material culture, contemporary group characterisations.

Proposals: We invite proposals for 20 minute student papers and 30 minute academic papers (abstracts of 250 words). Proposals should be emailed to Dr Rhiannon Sandy r.sandy@swansea.ac.uk (English language) or Dr Anna Maleszka annam@umk.pl (Polish or German) by 5pm on 01 July 2023.

Pre-register to attend: email r.sandy@swansea.ac.uk or annam@umk.pl

Languages: English and German (with English translation).

Venue: Swansea University, Wales, UK

Costs: Funding is currently being organised, but speakers should expect it to comprise only a modest fixed contribution to travel and accommodation within the UK. Non-presenting delegates should expect to pay a modest conference fee, with a reduction or waiver for PhD Students.

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