XXIV. Studientag Englisches Mittelalter (SEM 2024)

The XXIV. Studientag Englisches Mittelalter took place this year at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, organised under the leadership of Jun.-Prof. Dr. Kerstin Majewski. This year the SEM departed from its traditional ‘Freiburger format’: early-career researchers and doctoral candidates presented their own work, either as twenty-minute papers or five-minute poster talks, and received audience extended feedback and questions directly after presenting. Though a bold new turn in the history of the SEM, the lively discussion questions and upbeat atmosphere suggested that the changes were well-received by both presenters and audience. Presenters were appreciative of the chance both to hone conference presentation skills and to take critique on their research, and audience guests took advantage of the extended feedback period to pose in-depth, probing questions and offer additional insights. (Right: Laura Frölich (RUB) presents 'Wahrheitsproduktion in geistlichen Spielen des deutschen und englischen Mittelalters (AT)', showcasing aspects of her planned doctoral work in a poster talk.)

A special highlight of the SEM was the ‘Anglo-Saxonist Poetry Awards’, in which RUB undergraduates’ creative responses to Old English poetry were judged by SEM participants via vote. Lala Mammadova won first prize with ‘The Feast of Beasts, or The Battle of Maldon’, a unique poetic retelling of the titular Maldon through the lens of the beasts of battle themselves. Second place went to an untitled work by Natascha Bäcker. Third place was awarded to Luisa Schwarz's 'Grendel's View', which shifted the focus from Beowulf's traditional hero to one of its antagonists.  (Left: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Majewski announces the winners of the poetry competition.)

SEM 2024 also incorporated a teaching roundtable event, this year in form of a ‘World Café’. Participants rotated between thematic topics, brainstorming responses and ideas while reacting to questions. Students, doctoral candidates, and lecturers exchanged ideas about innovation, boundaries, creativity, tradition, ‘canon’, and play in the teaching of English in the Middle Ages. Participants also reacted positively to the idea of a web directory of teachers of Medieval English within German-speaking academia. This project is now in early development from Antony R. Henk, M.A. (Anglistik, RUB). A beta version is expected to be ready for release in the coming months. (Right: Dr Dirk Schultze (Göttingen) shares suggestions for teaching during the roundtable.)

View the Roundtable questions and photographed results of the Roundtable.

Looking for more SEM 2024 photos? Browse the Sciebo photo folders.

Read the German-language Tagungsbericht for the 24th SEM.

View the RUB PhiloLotsen Instagram post for the 24th SEM.

Return to the SEM 2024 Archival Site homepage.