Sophia Dumoulin

Sophia Dumoulin is a PhD Student and Lecturer in the Department of History of Art at The Courtauld Institute of Art. Her doctoral research, supervised by Dr. Tom Nickson and funded by The Courtauld Scholarship and het Cultuurfonds, examines the transformation of Westminster Abbey's topography through tombs, screens, and chapels between 1399 and 1603, analyzing elite patronage dynamics and the Reformation's impact on sacred spaces.

Her educational trajectory includes:

• PhD in History of Art, The Courtauld (2023–2026)
• Palaeography and Diplomatic, Institute of Historical Research (2023–2024)
• Late Medieval and Renaissance Latin, Intermediate, The Warburg (2023–2024)
• MA History of Art, The Courtauld (2021–2022)
• BA History of Art, The Courtauld (2018–2021)
• BA Liberal Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam University College (2015–2018)

Dumoulin's research interrogates how medieval architecture facilitated social exclusion and identity construction, with particular emphasis on tomb sculpture as political tools and the embodied experiences of worshippers. Her work bridges art history, political theory, and material culture studies to reveal Westminster Abbey's evolution from royal monastery to Anglican church, highlighting marginalized perspectives of monastic communities and local citizens.

Her publication 'Gothic Once More?' (2023) establishes her expertise in architectural reinterpretation, examining how Wren and Godfrey manipulated Gothic and Classical elements during the Temple Church's restoration. This reflects her broader scholarly focus on historical site conservation and the ideological reuse of sacred spaces across centuries.

Her contributions to medieval studies have been honored with:

• Cultuurfonds Scholarship
• Courtauld Scholarship
• Barrie Dobson Scholarship (including best PGR/ECR presentation award)
• British Archaeological Association Conference Scholarship
• Sam Fogg Prize for Medieval Essay

Dumoulin actively shapes pedagogy as Associate Lecturer for 'Art, Travel and Imagination in the Middle Ages' and Teaching Assistant for foundational courses, while expanding public engagement through Courtauld Gallery tours and Summer School lectures. Her leadership as BAA Postgraduate Conference organizer and Medieval Postgraduate Colloquium chair demonstrates institutional influence beyond research.