International Congress on Medieval Studies

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

Sessions

The 61st International Congress on Medieval Studies—taking place as a hybrid event Thursday, May 14, through Saturday, May 16, 2026—is hosted by the Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University. This page details the session types, session modalities, and session formats that will be featured at ICMS. 

Deadlines

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

  • The deadline for session proposals is June 1.
  • The deadline to propose contributions to sessions of papers, roundtables and poster sessions is Sept. 15.

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 Modalities

Sessions for Congress can be one of two modalities, either in-person or online. 

In-person Congress sessions take place on the campus of Western Michigan University. Find out more about the on-site logistics of the Congress here.

The on-site facilities and services of the Congress are available only to registered attendees. Each in-person attendee receives a Congress badge; it should be worn throughout the Congress. You must wear your badge to attend sessions, attend the Saturday night dance, use the Student Recreation Center (for a fee), and use computer labs in Waldo Library. Badges will be checked at selected session locations and at the Saturday night dance. Please be prepared to show your badge when requested to do so.

Online content (virtual and hybrid sessions) of the Congress is posted on the Congress meeting site. You can access the meeting site via a link on the ICMS website between April 1 and May 31. The schedule of events and the virtual Exhibits Hall are open to the public, but only registered attendees are able to attend virtual and hybrid sessions, view recorded content, or use any of the meeting sites' interactive features.

Virtual and hybrid sessions are held in Zoom rooms accessible through the Congress meeting site. If you plan to attend sessions virtually, we recommend that you download the free Zoom app or practice joining Zoom meetings using your internet browser in advance. Colleagues in China are not able to download the app but can access all content through their internet browsers. Virtual and hybrid sessions that are to be recorded are posted on the meeting site on the Monday following the Congress, and they remain available for viewing through May 31.

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.