Medieval Waterworks, roundtable at 28th International Medieval Congress, University of Leeds, July 5–8, 2021

The last decade has seen a burgeoning critical interest in the study of water in the Middle Ages. Scholars from a range of disciplines have begun to recognise that water is not merely a catalogue of interesting tropes; it is a means or method of communication, a disruptive and radical force, and a vehicle for thinking across time, space, disciplines and languages. It carries us down diverse paths and creates unexpected intersections between people, places and things.

Our intention with this roundtable is to create a laboratory for testing the theoretical and methodological potential of water. Whilst we have lined up some speakers already, we are looking for additional participants to join us in reflecting upon how we can formulate a critical, inclusive, global and interdisciplinary water studies. Our roundtable is open to anyone interested in the study of medieval water, broadly conceived and from across disciplines, and we are particularly interested to hear from early career, minority and precarious scholars.

Organizers
Hetta Howes (City, University of London)
Bethany Whalley (University of Bristol)