This unique programme uses original materials from collections across the counties

University of Exeter announces Medieval Studies AHRC-funded Collaborative Skills Development Programme

An innovative new programme ‘Interpreting our Medieval Past: A User's Guide to the Languages, Scripts and Records of Medieval Culture’ will commence in September 2013 for University of Exeter and University of Bristol research students in Medieval Studies.

This interdisciplinary initiative involves College of Humanities staff from the Departments of Modern Languages, English and History, and will also work together with five local libraries and archives with significant medieval holdings. It is considered to be the first of its kind in the country in which staff from two different institutions will formally collaborate to deliver skills training in medieval studies, and also to combine this with training in communicating their research and direct experience of Knowledge Exchange.

Students will be trained in palaeography, and also one or more medieval languages, including Latin, Old English and Medieval French. In addition, they will be provided with medieval research skills in professional and public contexts.

A key feature unique to the ‘Interpreting our Medieval Past’ programme is that training will be provided in situ, via a series of nine workshops.  These will draw upon original materials from the collections of Exeter Cathedral Library and Archives, Wells Cathedral Library and Archives, Devon Heritage Centre, Bristol Record Offices, and Berkeley Castle. 

Professor Sarah Hamilton in Exeter’s Department of History comments, “It takes existing collaborations between university staff and Exeter cathedral and Devon Heritage Centre to a new level, by involving staff from these centres in the training of research students.” 

This interdisciplinary programme is open to University of Exeter and University of Bristol students whose research interests are in a related field, such as History, English, Archaeology or Law, whose research focuses on the medieval period. 

The College is also pleased to be able to cover travel and subsistence costs for students undertaking this programme.

For more information about the programme, please visit the College of Humanities Postgraduate webpages.

Date: 22 March 2013

Read more University News