Miriam Shadis

Miriam Shadis is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Ohio University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Law, Justice & Culture. She teaches courses on medieval Europe, gender, religion, and interfaith relations, and serves as Director of Studies for the History Program in the Honors Tutorial College and as an advisor in the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program.

Education:

• Ph.D. in History, Duke University (1994)
• Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies, Duke University
• B.A. in Intercultural Studies (minor in Arts and Aesthetics), Simon's Rock of Bard College

Dr. Shadis specializes in medieval European history, with a focus on royal women in Iberia during the High and Central Middle Ages. Her research explores the political agency of queens, gender and power, religious identity, and interfaith dynamics in medieval Spain and Portugal. She has published extensively on Berenguela of Castile and is currently working on a book about the queens of early Portugal. Her work intersects with feminist historiography, legal traditions, and cultural studies.

Her recent scholarly output shows a strong thematic focus on women in medieval courts, Marian symbolism in legal documents, and cross-cultural interactions in the Mediterranean. These works reflect interdisciplinary engagement with gender studies, religious history, and political theory.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Fulbright Fellow, Lisbon, Portugal (2016)
• Junior Faculty Fellow, Charles Ping Institute for the Humanities (2006–2009)

Dr. Shadis is actively involved in academic mentoring, having directed study abroad programs and served in leadership roles in honors education. She has participated in NEH and CIEE faculty development seminars, contributing to curriculum innovation and international academic collaboration. Though specific grant details are not listed, her Fulbright and NEH affiliations indicate significant external support.

She is associated with the Mediterranean Seminar at UC Santa Cruz and contributes to the global network of medieval scholars. Her teaching and research emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, bridging history, law, gender, and culture.