About Us

Birkbeck’s Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Worlds was founded in 2019 to recognise a long-standing research strength. It brings together scholars across disciplines, creating a rich research community committed to the study of medieval and early modern cultures across the globe.

We host a huge number of seminar series and other events and we are also involved in organising events through the University of London and the CHASE consortium.

We are a community of world-leading scholars, transforming our respective fields through our research. We disseminate our work in research-led teaching at all levels and, in particular, offer a portfolio of specialist taught MAs which allow students to carve out a bespoke programme of study.

You are welcome to come and take part in our research conversations, attending research seminars for example. We also support applications from colleagues wanting to join us as visiting or honorary fellows, or from recent postdoctoral scholars looking to apply for fellowships.

To find out more about these opportunities please send an email inquiry to the centre’s director with clear details about your subject area and current position.

Key events, reading groups and seminar series 

We offer a number of ongoing research reading and seminar groups:

• Matthews Lecture
• Birkbeck Medieval Seminar
• Murray Seminars on Medieval and Renaissance Art 
• IHR Seminars (many are medieval and early modern)
• Warburg Conferences and Seminars
• Thomas Harriot Seminar
• London Renaissance Seminar
• Medieval and Tudor London Seminar
• Shakespeare Teachers' Conversations