56th International Congress on Medieval Studies
Almost all medieval conferences were canceled last year due to the Covid pandemic, including the International Congress on Medieval Studies, held annually at Western Michigan University. Thankfully, this year, the 56th International Congress on Medieval Studies is happening and it’s going online!
While it’s bittersweet not meeting in-person for lectures or to mingle with other medievalist, moving online opens the event to a wider audience. This year anyone from around the world can attend the event.
The 56th International Congress on Medieval Studies takes place on 10 – 15 May 2021. Registration is open until 29 May, the last day the recorded content is available online. There is also a virtual exhibits hall with over 40 exhibitors. The virtual exhibits hall opens this Friday, 07 May, it allows you to browse through catalogs, ask questions setup private appointments with exhibitors and more. The virtual exhibit hall remains open until 29 May 2021.
Not only have they moved the event online, they’ve also reduced the cost to attend. There’s no better time to attend the International Congress on Medieval Studies. Normally you pay the (reduced) registration fee plus the cost of travel, lodging and food. This year you only pay the registration fee and enjoy the programs from your own home, no travel required.
Not all programs are recorded and available until 29 May. Some of the live events will only be available live. Check out this handy guide to see what programs will be recorded. Anything with a ‘NO’ in the right hand column is only available live, no recording will be available. You can also browse the full guide.
As you can see by the guide there are numerous programs you can only attend live. But the good news is, if there is any overlap in programs there is the potential not to miss out by watching the recording.
A few of the programs I’m looking forward too are:
And that’s from the first day alone!
From Monday, 10 May to Saturday, 15 May there are over 450 programs offered!
If you’ve wanted to attend the International Congress on Medieval Studies in the past but couldn’t due to cost or travel difficulties, now is the best time. According to their website they 57th International Congress on Medieval Studies in 2022 will also be held virtually.
When the International Congress on Medieval Studies returns to live programs in the coming years, I hope they continue to offer some of the programs virtually for those unable to attend in person.
I hope to see you in one of the virtual programs. Let us know in the comments below what program you’re looking forward too.
International Congress on Medieval Studies details
The 56th International Congress on Medieval Studies is live on the internet, Monday, May 10, through Saturday, May 15, 2021
The Virtual Exhibit Hall is live Friday, 07 May through Saturday, 29 May, 2021
The 56th International Congress on Medieval Studies is on the Medieval Archives events calendar along with other great medieval events. If you want your event added to the calendar send an email to archivist@medievalarchives.com with ‘medieval event’ in the subject line.
