International Congress on Medieval Studies

International Congress on Medieval Studies
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5432 USA
(269) 387-8745

Sessions

The 60th International Congress on Medieval Studies—taking place as a hybrid event Thursday, May 8, through Saturday, May 10, 2025—is hosted by the Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University. This page details the session types and session formats that will be featured at ICMS. 

Deadlines

Refer to our calendar of key dates and deadlines for the Congress.

Session Types

The academic program of the Congress consists of three types of sessions: sponsored sessions, special sessions and general sessions. Sessions of all types may be in-person, virtual or hybrid.

Sponsored sessions are organized by learned societies, associations, institutions and research projects. The organizers set predetermined topics, usually reflecting the considered aims and interests of the organizing group. Any organization may sponsor a session.

Special sessions are organized by individual scholars and ad hoc groups. The organizers set predetermined topics, which are often narrowly focused.

General sessions are organized by the program committee at the Medieval Institute. Topics include any area of medieval studies, with individual session topics determined by the topics of paper proposals submitted and accepted.

Session Formats

Sessions may take various formats, including sessions of papers, roundtables, poster sessions, workshops, demonstrations and performances. All sessions last 90 minutes, regardless of format.

Sessions of papers consist of at least two and no more than five papers relating to a given topic or theme. The papers themselves are to occupy no more than 60 minutes of the 90-minute session. If a session of papers is accepted, potential authors will submit separate proposals for their individual papers via Confex.

Roundtables include at least two and no more than seven discussants. They are usually less formal than sessions of papers and may be scheduled more loosely. They may resemble a conversation more than a series of talks. If a roundtable is accepted, potential discussants will submit separate proposals to participate via Confex. Contributions to roundtables are not titled.

Poster sessions showcase the work of at least two and no more than ten poster authors. Poster authors do not deliver formal presentations, but they are expected to be present to answer questions from attendees viewing their work during the 90-minute session. If a poster session is accepted, potential poster authors will submit separate proposals for their work via Confex.

Workshops are typically interactive, with some expectation of audience participation. If a workshop is accepted, the session organizer(s) will assign personnel to it; no separate proposals are required from workshop leaders.

Demonstrations generally involve some kind of live exhibition or practical presentation with commentary, along with a discussion. If a demonstration is accepted, the session organizer(s) will assign personnel to it; no separate proposals are required from demonstrators.

Performances may involve music, drama, dance, spoken word, and other media, in any combination. If a performance is accepted, the session organizer(s) will assign personnel to it; no separate proposals are required from performers.