Melanie Brunner

Dr. Melanie Brunner is a Lecturer in Medieval Studies at the School of History, University of Leeds, and has served as Editorial Director of the International Medieval Bibliography since October 2024. She studied at the University of Augsburg and the University of Edinburgh before completing her part-time PhD at the University of Leeds (2006). Her roles at Leeds include Project Editor of the IMB (2007–present) and teaching in Medieval Studies (2013–present).

• Education
  • MA in Medieval History, Modern History, and English Language, University of Augsburg
  • PhD in Medieval Studies, University of Leeds (part-time)

Melanie's research focuses on late medieval ecclesiastical and religious history, particularly the intersections of theology, canon law, and papal administration. Her work explores the mendicant orders (especially Franciscans), voluntary poverty, religious reform, and papal court dynamics in Avignon (1305–1378). She has contributed to collaborative projects such as Imitation: Mechanismen eines kulturellen Prinzips im Mittelalter (DFG-funded) and Stilus Curiae (DFG), and previously participated in the EU COST Action New Communities of Interpretation.

Her recent publications analyze decision-making in the Avignon papal curia, Franciscan polemics, and ecclesiastical authority structures. She supervises PhD students in areas including mendicant orders, bishop administration, and medieval religious discourse, often in co-supervision with colleagues.