Call for Sessions

Choose the format of your session to begin your submission.

• Sessions of papers consist of 2-5 papers relating to a given topic or theme. The papers themselves will 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 2-7 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 2-10 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 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.

The Congress is made up of three types of sessions. 

• Sponsored sessions are organized by academic societies, associations, institutions, and research groups. The organizers set predetermined topics that reflect the aim and interests of the sponsoring group.
• 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 all areas of medieval studies, with individual session topics determined by the range of proposals submitted and accepted.

You may propose either a sponsored or a special session, but not a general session.

After choosing the format and type of your session, you will be asked to provide your email address and information about your proposed session. This information includes:

• Session title (required)
• A public description of the session, which will be included in the call for papers if your session is approved (required; 100 words)
• A description of the scholarly importance and/or timeliness of the session (required; 100 words)
• A description of your plans for outreach for the session (optional; 100 words)
• Your preferred modality (in-person or virtual) for the session (required)
• Application for a hybrid session (optional; 100 words)

For sponsored sessions only, select the principal sponsoring organization from the list provided, then click the "Save" button. If the organization sponsoring your session is not listed, select “Other” (at the end of the list) and enter its name.

On the next tab, if another organization has agreed to co-sponsor your session, select its name from the list. If a co-sponsoring organization is not listed, select “Other” (at the end of the list) and enter its name in the provided text box. You may select up to two co-sponsoring organizations.

If your event does not have a co-sponsoring organization, scroll down to the bottom of the page without checking any boxes and click the "Save" button.

Enter the session organizer’s email address, check the “Organizer” box, and click the “Search” button. If they are already in our system, this will locate their profile. Review their name, affiliation, and contact information for accuracy. If they do not have a profile in our system yet, enter their name, affiliation, and contact information.

Sessions may have up to three organizers. Click “Add new person” and repeat this process if your session has more than one organizer.

Organizers of accepted sessions of papers, roundtables, and poster sessions are responsible for accepting and rejecting proposals to their sessions, naming a presider for each session, and (optionally) naming respondent(s).

Organizers of accepted workshops, demonstrations, and performances are responsible for assigning personnel to their sessions (workshop leaders, demonstrators, or performers). They will need the names and contact information for all session personnel to assign them to their sessions.

If you have any scheduling requests, or if there’s anything else we should know about your session proposal, enter it here.

Review the information you provided to make sure it is complete and accurate, then scroll down to the bottom and click the “Submit” button. You can also print a copy of your proposal for your records.

The contributing reviewers and the program committee evaluate session proposals in June. Session organizers will be informed whether their proposals were accepted or rejected in early July.