140 researchers from Poland and abroad will discuss medieval Europe during the online conference IV MECERN (Medieval Central Europe Research Network) on April 7-9 at the University of Gdańsk.
The cooperation project of people scientifically engaged in medieval studies, especially of the Central European area, was established in Budapest at the Central European University in 2014. - 'Its idea is to build scientific connections and exchange experiences in the field of European medieval studies,' - explains prof. dr. hab. Beata Możejko from the Faculty of History of the UG and the conference organising committee. - 'Back in 2014, the first of the conferences was held in Budapest, gathering about 80 participants from all over Europe and the USA,' - adds prof. Beata Możejko. The next conferences were held in Olomouc in 2016, and in 2018 in Zagreb, where another organisation was entrusted to the University of Gdańsk. It was to be held in April 2020, but due to the pandemic, it was postponed twice.
The leading theme of the conference at UG, which will be conducted in English and online, is Networks - Cooperation - Rivalry. One hundred and forty participants will present papers in forty-four sections, with dominant participation of foreign guests. Medieval Europe will be discussed by researchers from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, England, the USA and Poland, including the University of Gdańsk. This is the largest online event ever held at the Faculty of History, of which the Faculty of Law and Administration is a co-sponsor. - 'The conference is a big challenge for us, considering the number of participants we had to plan seven parallel online sections,' - stresses prof. Beata Możejko. - 'As organisers, we have great support from the authorities of both faculties,' - she adds.
Plenary lectures will be given by prof. Emilia Jamroziak University of Leeds and Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, Erfurt (April 7, 2021), prof. Piotr Górecki University of California, Riverside (April 8, 2021) and prof. Gábor Klaniczay Central European University, Budapest/Vienna (April 9, 2021).