Skip to main content

About the IMC

The International Medieval Congress (IMC) provides an interdisciplinary forum for sharing ideas relating to all aspects of the Middle Ages.

The Call for Papers for IMC 2027, where the special thematic strand is 'Communities'. Proposals are welcome from all aspects of Medieval Studies.

Since its inception in 1994 the IMC has brought researchers from different countries, backgrounds, and disciplines together, providing opportunities for networking and professional development in an open and inclusive environment.

It is organised and administered by the Institute for Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds and takes place here on the main University campus. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, IMC 2020 and IMC 2021 were hosted online, with the latter ranking as one of the largest virtual conferences in medieval studies to date. Since 2022, the IMC has been held in a hybrid format with the vast majority of delegates attending in person.

As the largest academic conference of its kind in Europe, the IMC regularly attracts more than 2,700 medievalists from all over the world. By providing spaces for networking and socialising, it seeks to foster a scholarly community. It also hosts a wide variety of concerts, exhibitions, and excursions, which are open to delegates and the public alike.

The next IMC will take place between Monday 5 - Thursday 8 July 2027.

Structure & Organisation

Programming Committee

An international Programming Committee provides academic support for the IMC. Individual members of the Committee act as specialists for one of nearly 40 separate programming strands. Committee members are responsible for assessing proposals, collating individual paper proposals into coherent sessions, and proposing special keynote speakers.

Find out more about our Programming Committee and strands

Standing Committee

The IMC is also supported by its Standing Committee, comprising a group of medievalists from the Institute for Medieval Studies.

They focus on academic matters such as selecting new Programming Committee members and each year’s special thematic strand, as well as advising the IMC administration team on strategic, operational, and developmental issues. The current members of the Standing Committee are:

  • Catherine Batt (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of English)
  • Melanie Brunner (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of History)
  • Emma Cayley (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of Languages, Cultures & Societies - French)
  • Eva Frojmovic (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of Fine Art, History of Art & Cultural Studies)
  • Rae Gillibrand (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of English / School of History)
  • Iona McCleery (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of History) - ex officio
  • Axel E. W. Müller (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of History) - ex officio
  • Elias Uitman (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of History)
  • N. Kıvılcım Yavuz (Institute for Medieval Studies / School of History)

Future IMC Dates

Make a note in your diary for the next few Congresses:

  • 3-6 July 2028
  • 2-5 July 2029*
  • 1-4 July 2030*
  • 7-10 July 2031*

* These dates are not yet confirmed.