IMC 2026 Interview: Special Thematic Strand Coordinator Nada Zečević

Programming for the IMC 2026 still underway, and the administrative team is busy pulling everything together before acceptances are sent out to our future IMC delegates at the end of this month/early December. We would, however, like to take a moment to share and celebrate those who make valuable contributions to the congress. The IMC would not be the incredible, immersive experience that it is without the contributions and efforts of every delegate, bookseller, artist, craftsperson, performer, workshop director, and excursions guide at the conference.

In our first interview feature for IMC 2026, we had a conversation with this year's IMC Special Thematic Strand Coordinator Nada Zečević (Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište u Zagrebu).  Having visited our office in October, Nada has not only worked very hard with the IMC team to coordinate a substantial part of the IMC programme but also has organised the keynote lectures.

How did you first learn about the IMC?

"I learnt about the IMC 27 years ago when I was an MA student at the Central European University’s Department of Medieval Studies. This institution was founded to help the transition from the Soviet block to Western and international historiography and scholarship. My department at CEU had a crucial role in this. When I joined, I had been previously in an isolated country and the IMC was a window to access new threads of scholarship and academic ideas."

How many International Medieval Congresses have you attended?

"The number itself I cannot remember, but I have most certainly attended almost every year (or every second year) since 2001. When I was working through my MA and PhD, it was a great place to present and advance my ideas."

What is your most vivid IMC memory?

"What stands out to me was when I presented in 2017. I had experienced a personal tragedy, and I came to Leeds to simply get away from it, and, naturally, I wasn’t really focused on what I was doing or saying. But during my time there, colleagues, everyone, were so lovely and nice to me that I ended up being very proactive at the Congress, building meaningful connections and networks."

What do you wish you had known before your first IMC?

"My first impression of the IMC was very revealing, because it was a stark contrast from conferences and rules of presenting I had experienced back home, which was much more rigid and formal. Even down to your clothes which were expected to be dark and plain. The IMC is a place where not much attention is given to formalities such as these, and everyone can be as expressive as they want.

"But if I was to give some advice, do be mindful that travel to Leeds is not always straightforward; plan time to get around campus and Leeds City Centre should you need to do what I did, shop for new clothes after my luggage was lost during a transfer between air connections.

"Finally, dress for the weather! You’d be amazed how many people don’t pack clothes that are technically winter clothes for a British summer. I remember meeting a group of colleagues who came to Leeds from a very warm summer, and, because they didn’t have warm coat, they all walked into a shop and bought the same coat in bright red colour. They reminded me of a sports team, which was quite funny."

What was the best interaction you’ve had at the IMC?

"Number one is the IMC team. My visit in October gave me the opportunity to discover how the IMC functions and operates behind the scenes. From the moments I saw, they looked like they had everything in hand and under control. Which is very reassuring, given how many thousands of people attend the Congress.

"Another experience I remember well was many years ago when I was an inexperienced scholar, and I was in a session where another delegate was giving quite a nonsensical presentation. As this topic was quite close to my topic, I felt the need to intervene. We had a discussion, and I presented my arguments, but I did not want to attack the person. Afterwards, another delegate came up to me and praised me for how respectfully and professionally I handled the situation. We then spent the whole afternoon talking, and I found a colleague who understood my research and me personally simply by accident.

"My point here is that the IMC allows delegates of all different levels of experience to come together, and, in that moment, I didn’t feel too insignificant because I wasn’t as experienced as other scholars attending."

Which IMC Special Thematic Strand was most inspiring to you?

"‘Travel and Exploration’ as it is so close to my research, but ‘Worlds of Learning’ at the last IMC, surprised me as it turned out to be a more coherent, interesting, and quite revealing strand. It changed my expectation of the theme being somewhat dominated by a narrower literary angle. And ‘Worlds of Learning’ was a nice change from ‘Crisis’ which, to me, was more ambivalent."

What is your favourite thing about the IMC?

"The strands, the topics, and obviously the opportunity to network with other delegates."

Most surprising thing about the IMC?

"It was when the IMC moved locations from Bodington Hall onto the main Leeds University Campus, which is much bigger. I wasn’t used to the meandering through the streets knowing that it was all a part of the University."

Describe the IMC in your own words

"Fun and up to date!"