Matthew Firth

Matthew Firth is a Research Fellow in Medieval History at Flinders University, supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) for his project 'Contesting Conquest: Pre-Modern Attempts to come to Terms with the Past' (DE250100116). He holds a PhD in English/History from Flinders University (2022) and has established himself as a leading scholar in early medieval English history and Icelandic saga literature.

His educational background includes:

• PhD, English/History, Flinders University (2022)
• Graduate Certificate in Arts, Classical Languages, University of New England (2018)
• Master of History, University of New England (2017)
• Bachelor of Arts, Studies of Religion, University of Sydney (2003)

Firth's research focuses on historiography, cultural memory, and the transmission of historical narrative across time and place, with specializations in early medieval England and its reception, as well as Icelandic saga literature. His work explores how historical narratives are constructed, preserved, and transformed across different cultural contexts, particularly examining the intersections between English and Scandinavian medieval traditions. He has made significant contributions to understanding queenship in early medieval England and the representation of England in Icelandic sagas.

His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on the construction of historical memory, particularly regarding Viking Age England and its reception in later medieval texts. Firth's publications reveal sophisticated analysis of how historical narratives are shaped by contemporary concerns, with particular attention to gender dynamics, royal authority, and cross-cultural interactions between England and Scandinavia during the medieval period. His work bridges literary analysis and historical methodology to provide nuanced interpretations of medieval sources.

His notable awards and fellowships include:

• Australian Research Council DECRA Fellowship (2025-2028)
• Australian Academy of the Humanities Travelling Fellowship (2024)
• Australian Historical Association Early Career Fellowship (2024)
• Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies Early Career Fellowship (2023)
• Flinders University Research Scholarship (2019-2022)

Firth has been actively involved in academic mentoring and service. While currently not teaching undergraduate courses as a Research Fellow, he is available to supervise research students interested in medieval historiography, England's pre-Conquest history, or the literature and history of Scandinavia from the eighth to thirteenth centuries. His DECRA project represents significant research funding that supports his innovative work on historical memory.

He maintains active professional engagement through leadership roles in scholarly organizations, including serving as Vice President of the Australian Early Medieval Association and Communications Officer for ANZAMEMS, demonstrating his commitment to building scholarly communities in medieval studies.