IMC 2018: Sessions

In a recent statement the Fellowship of Medievalists of Colour has pointed out that 'medieval studies is increasingly acknowledging realities of race and racism in the profession'. In response to bruising controversies which became apparent during the 2017 IMC, not only has the Fellowship denounced pernicious practices of marginalisation of scholars of colour and of scholarship offering global perspectives on the Middle Ages, but they have also advocated for inclusive and affirming academic communities. Over the summer of 2017 a number of other voices have addressed these pressing issues and have urged scholars of the Middle Ages to rethink the way in which questions of race are addressed in a variety of academic and non-academic contexts, such as our classrooms, social media, the formulation of calls for papers, conference organisation (from devising codes of conduct to promoting inclusivity at all levels), and our citational practices, to name a few. Furthermore, the marginalisation of scholars of colour and global scholarly perspectives is very closely tied to the marginalisation of women and feminist studies which has also continued unchecked in the profession for many years.

Participants include Carolyn B. Anderson (University of Wyoming), Louise D'Arcens (University of Wollongong, New South Wales), Dorothy Kim (Vassar College, New York), Felice Lifshitz (University of Alberta), Adam Miyashiro (Stockton University, New Jersey), and Lisa Perfetti (Whitman College, Washington).