The 58th International Congress on Medieval Studies, hosted by the Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University, took place in a hybrid format Thursday, May 11, through Saturday, May 13, 2023. The events of the Congress include traditional in-person sessions, virtual sessions via our online platform and some blended-format sessions that make it possible for speakers to present and audiences to attend both in-person and online. A selection of virtual and blended-format sessions were recorded and are posted on the Congress meeting site until May 31. Special events included the Mostly Medieval Theatre Festival, behind-the-scenes visits to the Walters Art Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago, a Medieval Dress and Textile Arts Display and Demonstration, plenary lectures, and more.
attending in-person sessions
In-person Congress sessions take place on the campus of Western Michigan University in the Bernhard Center, the Fetzer Center, Schneider Hall, and the Goldsworth Valley complex. Find out more about the on-site logistics of the Congress and access maps and floor plans.
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, visit the Exhibits Hall, 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.
Attending Online Sessions
Online content (virtual and blended-format 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 blended-format sessions, view recorded content, or use any of the meeting sites' interactive features.
Online and blended-format 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. Online and blended-format 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.
Making the Most of the Meeting Site
The meeting site opens at the beginning of April, allowing attendees to get acquainted with the platform.
Features include:
- Searchability by session title, sponsoring organization, participant name, timeslot, format or delivery modality (in person, online, or blended-format)
- Bookmarks and custom schedules that are automatically converted to your time zone
- Direct links to Zoom rooms from the schedule of sessions
- Networking with other attendees in forums and through direct messages
- Exclusive sales and coupons in the virtual exhibits hall
- Dedicated technical support personnel for all online and blended-format sessions
Key dates for attendees
- January—The sneak peek of the Congress program is posted online.
- February—The Medieval Institute sends printed Congress programs to all United States recipients on its active mailing list. International mailing of programs is limited to individuals participating in the Congress that year.
- March—Advance registration opens.
- Early April—Meeting site opens to registrants.
- April 25—Advance registration closes, and registration fees are not refundable after this date. Continuing registration for those attending the Congress in person is available through the end of the Congress, but is subject to a $50 late fee.
- May 11-13—Virtual and blended-format sessions take place on the meeting site, while in-person sessions take place on the campus of Western Michigan University.
- May 15-31—Library of recorded sessions available to registrants.
- May 31—Registration for those attending the Congress only online closes. There is no late fee for online attendees.
Planning your congress
The Program Overview, which provides an overview of the dates and times of sessions, gatherings, and meetings, is posted in January.