Elizabeth New

Dr Elizabeth New is a Reader in History within the Department of History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth University, holding a BA from the University of Exeter, MA from the University of York, and PhD from the University of London. She is a Fellow of both the Society of Antiquaries (elected 2006) and the Royal Historical Society, with research spanning medieval social, cultural, and religious history of England and Wales.

Education:

• BA, University of Exeter
• MA, University of York
• PhD, University of London

Her research concentrates on visual and material culture, particularly medieval seals and sealing practices, heritage studies, and Christocentric devotion. She investigates how middling and lower societal levels used seals for identification and representation within social, cultural, and legal frameworks, often employing interdisciplinary approaches that merge historical analysis with forensic science. Recent work explores the 'economy of salvation' through guild records and the material agency of wax in medieval communication.

Analysis of her publication trends reveals a pronounced shift toward forensic historical methodologies since 2016, with increasing integration of digital analysis and biometric evidence in seal studies. Her work consistently bridges art history, religious studies, and social history, particularly examining saint iconography on seals and cross-cultural exchanges in medieval material culture.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (2006)
• Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
• Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship (2020-2023)

Dr New supervises PhD research on seals and sealing practices in medieval Britain, covering cultural history, administrative practices, and devotional expressions. She has secured significant research funding including the Leverhulme Trust fellowship for 'Identity, interaction and exchange in medieval England', AHRC funding for the 'Imprint' project (2016-2018) investigating forensic and historical aspects of fingerprints on seals, and leadership roles in the 'Seals in Medieval Wales' project. Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained success in securing competitive funding for interdisciplinary medieval studies.

She actively collaborates through the 'Imprint' project team involving historians and forensic scientists, serves on the Harlaxton Medieval Symposium Steering Committee (2018-2023), and contributes to professional organizations including the Archives and Records Association. Her work extends to public engagement through BBC Radio 4 appearances and media coverage of 'Medieval CSI' research.