New England Medieval Conference

Founded in 1974 by Archibald Lewis (University of Massachusetts, Amherst), the New England Medieval Conference (NEMC) aims to sponsor an interdisciplinary conference in medieval studies at varying New England institutions each year. By doing so it fosters a sense of professional colleagiality among medievalists in the region. Its annual meeting is held at a member institution in the New England area, usually on an autumn weekend in October or early November. More information about the organization and its officers may be found at the NEMC official website, hosted by Framingham State University.

New England Medieval Studies Consortium

The New England Medieval Studies Consortium was founded in 1983 by Professor Alison Goddard Elliott (Department of Classics, Brown University) and is currently comprised of Yale University, Brown University, and the University of Connecticut. Each year, one of these universities hosts the Consortium’s annual one-day conference, and it is organized by volunteer graduate students at each host school with support from faculty, staff, and other resources.

The conference is designed for graduate students, particularly those who have just started their graduate careers. Any graduate student from any institution may submit an abstract to the conference, and, although there is generally a theme or title, any paper with a medieval topic is welcome. Sessions at the conference are divided based upon the abstracts submitted in that year (to see previous ones, please take a look at the links below). Those attending the conference are also invited to a plenary session or panel discussion on a subject of general interest as well as a lunch and a reception at the end of the day.

Beginning in 2004, the Organizing Committee at Brown University initiated the Alison Goddard Elliott Award for the Outstanding Conference Paper, in honor of Professor Elliott’s commitment to academia and her role as founder of the conference. To be considered for this award, the text of the presentation is submitted at least one month before the conference (details of submission decided by the host university) and a committee then selects the winner.

New England Saga Society

The New England Saga Society (NESS) is an organization founded at the University of Connecticut by graduate alumni Andrew Pfrenger and John Sexton, and is dedicated to facilitating the study of Old Norse literature and culture in the United States. NESS traditionally sponsors sessions at local conferences and the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies held at the University of Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. Membership and Participation are free and open to all who share our fascination with the culture of the northern world in the middle ages.