Borders, Boundaries, and Barriers have become increasingly prominent themes in historical scholarship. There is, therefore, a pressing need to examine how these
constructs have shaped the lived experiences of historically marginalised groups, as well as how they were
perceived, defined, and engaged with by those groups.
This conference seeks to reorient discussions around borders, boundaries, and barriers by foregrounding the
experiences and perspectives of marginalised groups and considering how these divisions were perceived from
the peripheries of societies. Rather than treating these concepts as abstract or solely geopolitical, we will explore
the ways in which they have operated — both historically and historiographically — as tools of exclusion and
differentiation.
Organised by Natasha Jenman (University of Oxford), Naomi Reiter (QMUL), and Dean A. Irwin (University
of Lincoln/OCHJS), the conference will focus on individuals, religious groups, social groups, societal
constructions, and natural phenomena. Participants are invited to explore the role played by evolving borders,
boundaries, and barriers in the medieval world as part of group identities; and how groups used them to their
advantage. Likewise, it will consider the extent to which borders, boundaries and barriers have been imposed
upon the medieval world by modern scholars. Possible topics for consideration include:
• Legal jurisdictions
• The natural and the supernatural worlds
• Socio-economic strata
• Ritual and religion
• Space, time, and the environment
• Gender and sexuality
• Disability
• Transgression, delinquency,
and the grey middle space
This conference adopts a broad chronological and geographical approach with submissions from all
historically-related disciplines being welcome. The conference will take place on 20 and 21 April 2026 in
Oxford. To submit, please send a title, abstract (c. 250 words), and a bio (c. 100 words) to:
bordersboundariesbarriers@gmail.com.
I’m co-organising a medieval conference next year in Oxford! Please take a look at the CfP and consider submitting an abstract, by the 15th of September, to bordersboundariesbarriers@gmail.com. We hope to be able to provide funding to help cover expenses of attendance.
#medievalsky #skystorians