James Davis

James Davis is a Professor and Head of School at Queen's University Belfast's School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge, focusing on medieval English market culture, and has been at Queen's since 2005. His research centers on medieval social and economic history, particularly urban markets, trade, and legal ethics. He leads the History Centre and oversees projects like 'Medieval Street Life: Space, Culture and Commerce' and 'Morality, Law and Misbehaviour in the Medieval English Marketplace.'

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree: University of Durham
• PhD: University of Cambridge (Retail Trade and Market Culture in Late Medieval England)

Research Interests:

Dr. Davis explores medieval markets' moral and legal frameworks, urban history, and pre-modern trade networks. His seminal work Medieval Market Morality (2012) investigates ethical dimensions of medieval commerce. Recent projects examine early-Reformation heretical book trade and the cultural role of medieval town spaces.

Key Contributions:

• Published 73+ works including monographs, articles, and edited volumes
• Recipient of British Academy fellowships and other honors
• Active in academic governance and peer review (e.g., Economic History Review, Transactions of the Royal Historical Society)

Teaching:

Designs modules on medieval social history, including the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 and comparative early modern life in England/Ireland.

Grants & Awards:

• £1.2M funding for collaborative projects
• British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2017)

Public Engagement:

Regular media contributions include BBC Radio discussions on medieval markets, the Black Death, and urban history.