Florin Curta

Florin Curta is a Professor in the Department of History at the University of Florida, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is a leading scholar in medieval history and archaeology, with a focus on Eastern and East Central Europe between 500 and 1250. He is the founding member of the Medieval and Early Modern Studies program and the director of the Certificate in Medieval Archaeology at UF.

Curta received his Ph.D. from Western Michigan University in 1998 and an M.A. in Medieval Studies from Cornell University. His academic journey reflects a deep engagement with both historical and archaeological methodologies, positioning him at the forefront of interdisciplinary medieval studies.

His research interests center on migration, identity, ethnicity, and material culture in the early Middle Ages. He is particularly renowned for his work on the formation of Slavic identities and the archaeology of the Avar period. His scholarship challenges traditional narratives and emphasizes the complexity of ethnogenesis and cultural interaction in medieval Eastern Europe.

The most recent articles highlight his ongoing focus on the Avar age, Slavic ethnogenesis, and critical reinterpretations of Eastern European medieval history. His publications span archaeological analysis, historical synthesis, and theoretical reflection, demonstrating a consistent commitment to advancing the understanding of medieval societies through interdisciplinary lenses.

• Herbert Baxter Adams Award, American Historical Association, 2003
• Membership in the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, 2007
• Fellow, Dumbarton Oaks, 2006/2007
• ACLS Fellowship, 2006/2007
• NEH Fellowship (declined), 2006/2007
• Waldo W. Neikirk Professor, 2013–2014
• University of Florida Term Professor, 2017–2020
• Teaching Award of the Year, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 2014
• International Educator of the Year, 2012
• Honorary member, Romanian Academy, 2023

Florin Curta has advised numerous graduate students and has been actively involved in mentoring visiting scholars and international researchers. He has directed multiple archaeological field schools across Europe and has played a key role in fostering academic exchange through programs such as Erasmus+ and Fulbright. His editorial work includes leadership of the Brill series East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages and the Palgrave Macmillan series New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture, significantly shaping scholarly discourse in the field.

He leads the Certificate Program in Medieval Archaeology and has organized numerous international academic events, including conference sessions at Kalamazoo and workshops on material culture and heritage. His work bridges academia and public engagement, particularly through initiatives in heritage tourism and digital humanities.