LauraLee Brott

LauraLee Brott is an academic researcher and lecturer specializing in medieval art and cartography. She holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and currently serves as a Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the Art Department, teaching Art Appreciation and Global Art History I. Her work bridges traditional art historical analysis with digital humanities through the Virtual Mappa Project, which focuses on digitizing and translating early medieval maps of the world.

• PhD, Art History, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• MA, Art History, University of North Texas
• BA, Interdisciplinary Arts and Design Studies, University of North Texas

Her research explores the intersection of medieval artistic practices and cartographic representation, particularly in the 11th and 12th centuries. Key areas include medieval map materiality, devotional spatial frameworks, and digital editions of historical maps. Her publications analyze specific manuscripts like the Tournai Maps of Asia and the British Library Psalter, contributing to broader discussions about sacred geography and medieval worldviews.

Brott's recent articles focus on medieval cartographic traditions, including studies of mappaemundi and biblical reception. Her work spans critical analyses of map production, spatial theology, and digital preservation methods. She has also contributed to collaborative projects like the Virtual Mappa Project, which enhances accessibility to early medieval cartographic sources.

• 2023: J. B. Harley Research Fellowship in the History of Cartography
• 2021: Ristow Prize for Academic Achievement in the History of Cartography
• 2021: Charles T. Wood Dissertation Grant from the Medieval Academy of America

Brott works as a freelance research assistant, cartographer, and artist, combining technical expertise with academic scholarship. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates art historical methodologies, digital tools, and manuscript analysis to reinterpret medieval cartographic artifacts for contemporary audiences.