Dr David Pratt is a Fellow in History at Downing College, University of Cambridge , where he also serves as Archivist and Keeper of Art and Artefacts. His academic career focuses on early medieval political thought and court culture, particularly in Anglo-Saxon England and the Carolingian world. Academic Rank: Research Fellow Honors: FRHistS (Fellow of the Royal Historical Society) Research Interests center on the political ideology of King Alfred the Great, the origins of English coronation rituals, and broader themes of kingship, law, and social order in the later Anglo-Saxon period. His comparative approach highlights interactions between Anglo-Saxon and European medieval traditions. Recent Publications include English Coronation Ordines in the Ninth and Early Tenth Centuries (2023) and studies on Alfredian texts, taxation systems, and monastic reform. These works emphasize textual analysis, royal authority, and cross-cultural influences. Scientific Awards: FRHistS
Rodrigo García-Velasco is an academic staff member at the Department of History, University College London (UCL), specializing in medieval Iberian history, with a focus on economic and legal interactions between Jews, Muslims, and Christians. He leads the project Documentary Afterlives: Recycling the Past in Premodern Iberian Judiciaries, 1371-1600 , exploring how marginalized groups preserved and reused legal documents in Castile. He is also completing his first book, Jews and Muslims Before the Law in Christian Iberia, 1000-1200 , analyzing the emergence of legal distinctions for religious minorities in municipal laws. His research interests include medieval legal systems, religious minority treatments, Arabic-Latin literary exchanges, Mediterranean mobility, and the historiography of convivencia. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge (2019), and has worked as a Rothschild Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellow there. Publications span Medieval Encounters , al-Masaq , and edited volumes on Christian-Muslim relations. His work emphasizes the role of documentary practices in post-conquest societies, linking Islamicate legal knowledge to Christian institutional management of land and heritage.
Dr Harry Munt is a Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of York, specializing in the Islamic world (600–1500 CE), with particular focus on the Arabian Peninsula, holy cities, pilgrimage practices, and Arabic historiography. BA (Cambridge), DPhil (Oxford) Joined York in 2014 after British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship at Oxford Research Interests Early Islamic Arabian Peninsula Origins of Arabic local history-writing Hajj pilgrimage development Economic history of Islamic Middle East Interfaith relations in medieval urban centers Contested processes of sacred space creation Recent Publications examine: Caliphal authority in ḥijāz economy Medieval Meccan historiography Hajj ritual evolution Local vs. universal historical narratives Awards British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship Current Projects include a book on medieval Islamic local history-writing and its implications for understanding urban concepts and interfaith dynamics.
Prof Alex Woolf is a Professor in the School of History at the University of St Andrews. His research focuses on early medieval Britain and Ireland, particularly the period 400-900 AD, with interests in ethnic interaction, political structures, and social history. He also engages with Late Roman Gaul and first-millennium Scandinavia. Prof Woolf supervises PhD students Frances Bickerstaff, Sophie Kniaz, and J.D. Moore. His extensive publications include analyses of the Picts, Viking Age dynamics, and the cultural intersections of early medieval Europe. Key research themes include the political evolution of early medieval kingdoms, the impact of Viking activity, and the interplay between language, identity, and governance. His work often bridges historical analysis with archaeological interpretation, challenging traditional narratives about ethnic boundaries and cultural continuity. Prof Woolf’s scholarly contributions span book chapters, peer-reviewed articles, and edited volumes, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches. Recent work critiques the 'Viking paradigm' and explores the legacy of post-Roman societies in shaping medieval identities. He maintains an active role in academic networks, contributing to conferences and collaborative projects on Insular and Scandinavian history.
Joe Chick is a historian specializing in urban society across the medieval and early modern periods, affiliated with the University of Warwick. His research explores monastic lordship, social networks, and urban adaptation post-Dissolution of the Monasteries. He combines traditional historical methods with digital humanities tools like social network analysis. PhD in History (University of Warwick, 2016-2020) Early Career Fellowship (Institute of Advanced Study, Warwick, 2020-2021) Research Assistant (Wellcome-Trust project, King's College London) His work spans topics including the 1381 Revolt, parish governance, and the intersection of ceremony and authority in medieval towns. He has presented at conferences across Europe and contributed to academic publications in these fields. Scientific awards include the Pickering Prize for highest medieval dissertation mark (2016) and an ESRC Doctoral Studentship (2016-2020). He has taught undergraduate modules on medieval history, folklore, and urban identity since 2018.
Professor Pippa Catterall is a distinguished academic at the University of Westminster , affiliated with the History Research Group , Centre for Law, Society and Popular Culture , and Westminster Development Policy Network . Her work bridges constitutional history, religious politics, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Education: B.A. in History, University of Cambridge (1984) Ph.D. in History, Queen Mary University of London (1989) Research Focus: Religion's influence on British political development Queer urban space design Constitutional evolution post-Glorious Revolution Labour movement's religious foundations Prime ministerial policy strategy Recent Work Trends: 2024 monograph on Queer Perspectives on Public Space 2025 analysis of Free Church arms regulation 2026 exploration of thanatourism Honors: Literati Club Best Generalist Reference Book of the Year (1990) Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (1996–) EDI Audit Grant recipient (Quintin Hogg Trust) Leadership: Chair, University of Westminster Press Co-Chair, Staff Q+ Network Editor, National Identities journal (1998–)
Simon Ditchfield is a Professor of Early Modern History at the University of York , renowned for his expertise in the intersection of urban and religious culture in the Italian peninsula (1300-1800). He has held significant roles, including Chair of the Departmental Research Committee, and is a co-editor of the Sacro/santo book series. His research explores the making of Roman Catholicism as a global religion, with a focus on Jesuit missions and Counter-Reformation dynamics. Education: BA (York), MPhil/PhD (Warburg Institute), Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (1998-) Projects: Conversion Narratives in Early Modern Europe (AHRC 2010-13), Papacy and People: The Making of Roman Catholicism as a World Religion (OUP), and Daniello Bartoli SJ and Global History (Leverhulme Fellow 2014-15) Simon’s research spans global Catholicism , hagiography , and missionary networks , as evidenced by his 2024 article Exemplary Lives in the Making of a World Religion and 2023 Appropriation and Agency in Roman Catholicism . His work often critiques traditional narratives of Trent and emphasizes cross-cultural exchanges, particularly in Jesuit missions across Persia, New France, and the Asia-Pacific. He has received prestigious fellowships, including a British Academy Research Leave Fellowship (2006-08) and a Leverhulme Fellowship (2014-15). Scientific Awards: Roland Bainton Prize (2020), Accademia Ambrosiana (1998-), FRHistS (1998-) Editorial Roles: Advisory editor for Catholic Historical Review , Archivum Societatem Societatis Iesu , Church History , and Archivum historiae pontificiae He supervises doctoral research on topics like Domestic Religion in Florence , Sacred History in Brittany/Wales , and Music in the English Catholic Community . His leadership includes directing the Heritage Studies as Applied History project (1996-99) and co-editing the Companion to Early Modern Rome (2019), which won the Roland Bainton Prize.
Dr James Ross is a Reader in Late Medieval History at the University of Winchester's School of Humanities. He holds a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford and has held roles at the History of Parliament Trust and the National Archives. His research focuses on late medieval nobility, royal administration, and Tudor kingship. He leads the Leverhulme Trust-funded Tudor Chamber Books project, digitizing royal financial records to explore early Tudor governance and court culture. Ross has been awarded the Leverhulme Trust (2016) and AHRC Collaborative Skills Development awards. He supervises Ph.D. students and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Education: BA/MA, University of Oxford (Wadham College) D.Phil., University of Oxford (Merton College) Research Interests: Ross's work examines the political and economic roles of the English nobility from the late 14th to early 16th century, including their interaction with royal administration and legal systems. He specializes in Tudor kingship, royal records, and the transition between medieval and early modern governance. Leverhulme Project: The Tudor Chamber Books project digitized over 4,000 pages of Henry VII and Henry VIII's financial records, offering insights into court culture and royal decision-making. This resource is freely accessible online. Awards: Leverhulme Trust Award (£218,421) AHRC Collaborative Skills Development Award (£60,000) Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Supervision: Ross oversees research students focusing on late medieval English history, including topics like politics, kingship, and aristocracy. He welcomes inquiries into these areas.
Dr Simon Egan is a Lecturer in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queen's University Belfast. His research focuses on the history and culture of the Gaelic world (Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man) from c.1100-c.1600, emphasizing interactions with English/Scottish monarchies during events like the Hundred Years War and Tudor period. He teaches modules such as War, Politics, and Identity in Late Medieval Ireland and Kingship and Colonisation in Medieval Ireland . Education: BA in History and Modern Irish, University College Cork (2011) PhD in History, University College Cork (2016) Research Interests: Gaelic lordship, medieval political dynamics, North Atlantic networks, and interdisciplinary cultural analysis using Irish/Latin sources. Current projects include studies on Gaelic-Scottish relations and the role of the medieval church in Ulster. Awards: American Society of Irish Medieval Studies: Michael Adams Prize (2025) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2024) Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (2014) Advising & Grants: Supervised PhDs on topics such as pilgrimage in medieval Ireland and church roles in Ulster. Active in securing research grants including a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2018-2020). Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Sounding Conflict research group and participates in international medieval studies networks.
Phillipp Schofield is a Professor in the Department of History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth University, where he has been a central figure since 1998. He served as Head of Department from 2002 to 2012 and again from 2018 to 2023. He is currently President of the Economic History Society and holds a Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship focused on the Great Famine in early fourteenth-century England. His educational background includes a BA in Ancient and Medieval History from University College London and a DPhil from the University of Oxford (Wadham College), supervised by Barbara Harvey. He also trained as a lawyer and briefly worked in the City before returning to academia. Schofield’s research centers on the medieval English rural economy, particularly peasant society, credit, debt, and manorial litigation. His work bridges economic, social, and legal history, with a strong emphasis on primary source analysis. He has led multiple AHRC and Leverhulme Trust-funded projects, including research on manorial courts and the revision of the Anglo-Norman Dictionary. His recent publications reflect a deep engagement with themes of famine, food security, peasant agency, and legal evolution in medieval England and Wales. He has authored and co-edited volumes with Manchester University Press and Oxford University Press, and his articles appear in leading journals such as Continuity and Change , Journal of Medieval History , and Economic History Review . He has received significant recognition, including two Leverhulme Major Research Fellowships. His editorial leadership includes co-editing Continuity and Change (1999–2011) and the Economic History Review (2011–2017). Schofield is actively involved in public and academic engagement, delivering lectures at institutions like NYU and the National Library of Wales, organizing workshops, and contributing to digital humanities initiatives. He supervises postgraduate research in medieval English and Welsh rural society and continues to shape the field through scholarship and mentorship. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to reducing inequality and building sustainable communities through historical insight.
Cathryn Pearce is a Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics, and Literature. She holds a PhD from the Greenwich Maritime Institute and has taught at institutions including the University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Greenwich. Her research focuses on the social, cultural, and environmental history of coastal communities, shipwrecks, and wrecking practices in the UK and Atlantic Archipelago. She leads the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures and teaches on the MA Naval History programme. Key research areas include the socio-cultural impacts of shipwrecks, environmental history of wrecking, and the role of organizations like the Shipwrecked Mariners Society. She has explored topics such as 18th-19th century Coastguards, maritime charity growth, and the legacy of Royal Navy voyages. Her book Cornish Wrecking, 1700-1860 pioneered studies on wrecking narratives. Professional roles include former Chair of the British Commission for Maritime History and Vice-President of the Society for Nautical Research. Her work informs media projects, including BBC documentaries and historical adaptations like Poldark . She actively supervises PhD students focusing on naval history, coastal communities, and knowledge exchange in maritime contexts. Labs/Teams: Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures, History Research Group, Centre for European and International Studies Research.
Professor Ted Kaizer is a faculty member in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University. He was educated at Leiden (MA, 1995) and Oxford (DPhil, 2000), and held a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship before joining Durham. His research focuses on the social and religious history of the Roman Near East, particularly during the Hellenistic period. Editor : Blackwell's forthcoming Companion to the Hellenistic and Roman Near East Current Research : Social patterns of worship at Dura-Europos His publications include books and articles on Palmyra, Hatra, and Dura-Europos, with a strong emphasis on religious syncretism and local identities. He has supervised numerous PhD students on topics ranging from Palmyrene manpower to the reception of Palmyra's ruins. Notable fellowships include the Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship (2014-17) and affiliations with the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies and the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. His recent work spans the historiography of Near Eastern religions, sociolinguistics, and the role of the Roman army in state-building. Scientific Awards : Exzellenzcluster 'Religion und Politik' Fellowship (2009) Margo Tytus Fellowship (2011) Christopherson/Knott Fellowship (2013) Dale T. Mortensen Senior Fellowship (2014) Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship (2014-17) Professor Kaizer has extensively traveled through the Middle East, contributing to academic understanding of its classical heritage. He is actively involved in editorial work and conference organization, including the Cities and Gods: Religious Space in Transition volume.
Professor Richard Oram is a faculty member at the University of Stirling, holding the rank of Professor of Medieval and Environmental History in the Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Humanities. He holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews and has held administrative roles including Head of the School of Arts and Humanities (2005–2015) and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (2016–2021). His research focuses on environmental history, medieval Scotland, monastic landscapes, and the impact of climate change on resource use. Education: MA (Hons) in Mediaeval History with Archaeology, University of St Andrews (1983) PhD in Mediaeval History, University of St Andrews (1988) Key Research Interests: Environmental History of the North Atlantic Climate change and resource use Monastic estate management Landscape archaeology of lordship His publications span over 200 articles, including studies on medieval castles, monastic gatehouses, and the socio-environmental impacts of epidemics. He has contributed to research groups like the Centre for Environment, Heritage and Policy (CEHP) and advised on historic environmental policy in Scotland.
Dr. Richard Jones is an Associate Professor of Landscape History at the University of Leicester, affiliated with the School of History Politics and International Relations. His research focuses on medieval rural landscapes, environmental history, and interdisciplinary approaches blending history, archaeology, and geography. He examines human-environment interactions, particularly agricultural practices, waste management, and flood risk mitigation across medieval England, Wales, and France. Jones emphasizes the relevance of historical environmental knowledge to contemporary ecological challenges. His work extends into early modern and modern periods, enabling cross-temporal analyses. He has contributed to studies on place-names as repositories of traditional ecological knowledge and has published on topics ranging from medieval sanitation systems to floodplain settlement dynamics. Research interests include: medieval agriculture, environmental risk, historical geography, toponomastics, and interdisciplinary methodologies. His publications explore themes like manure management, floodplain archaeology, and elemental/humoral theories in historical contexts. Jones has also engaged with material science applications in archaeology, such as pigment analysis and ceramic dating techniques. His research outputs reflect a commitment to bridging historical and modern environmental concerns, with contributions to flood hazard assessment, medieval flood history reconstruction, and the socio-ecological dimensions of waste disposal. Jones has supervised projects on rural settlements, landscape archaeology, and interdisciplinary methodological frameworks. He collaborates across disciplines, integrating historical records with archaeological and geoscientific data to reconstruct past environmental conditions and societal responses.
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.
