Policies

Diversity at Western Michigan University and the International Congress on Medieval Studies encompasses inclusion, acceptance, respect and empowerment. This means understanding that each individual is unique and that our commonalities and differences make the contributions we have to offer all the more valuable. Diversity includes the dimensions of race, ethnicity and national and regional origins; sex, gender identity and sexual orientation; socioeconomic status, age and physical attributes and abilities; and religious, political, cultural and intellectual ideologies and practices.

WMU's Office of Institutional Equity promotes an environment of equal opportunity, equity, access and excellence for all members of the University community, which includes all visitors to campus, and provides compliance oversight regarding applicable laws, regulations and policies to ensure a welcoming, safe, civil and inclusive environment. Furthermore, the Office envisions a university community free from discrimination, harassment, retaliation and incivility where all members are valued, supported and afforded equitable access to participate, succeed and strive for excellence.

To report an incident of prohibited class bias, discrimination, harassment or retaliation, please use the Incident Reporting Form:

Original research

All papers are expected to present unpublished original research never before offered at a national or international conference.

Multiple submissions

You are invited to propose one paper (as a sole author or as a co-author) for one session of papers. You may propose a paper for a sponsored or special session or for the general sessions, but not both. You may propose an unlimited number of contributions to roundtables and poster sessions, but you will not be scheduled to actively participate (as paper presenter, roundtable discussant, poster author, presider, respondent, workshop leader, demonstrator or performer) in more than three sessions.

Paper presenter eligibility

All those working in the field of medieval studies, including graduate students and independent scholars and artists, are eligible to give a paper, if accepted, in any session. Enrolled undergraduate students, however, may give a paper, if accepted, only in the "Papers by Undergraduates" special sessions.

Rejected paper proposals

Papers proposed for but not accepted into sponsored and special sessions are automatically considered for inclusion in general sessions, unless the author explicitly requests that it not.

One paper per participant

Each participant may give only one paper (as sole author or co-author). Plenary and Reception of the Classics in the Middle Ages lecturers may give another paper in addition to their lectures, for a total of two papers.

Three appearances per participant

The Program Committee will schedule a person as an active participant (paper presenter, roundtable discussant, poster author, presider, respondent, workshop leader, demonstrator or performer) in a maximum of three sessions. Organizers may organize as many sessions as the committee approves.

Congress badges

Congress badges are to be worn at all times. Be prepared to show your badge when asked to do so.

Session participants

All sessions must include at least two participants, excluding presider(s) and respondent(s). Sessions of papers may include up to five authors; roundtables, workshops and demonstrations may include up to seven participants; and poster sessions may include up to ten poster authors. Allowances will be made for co-authored contributions.

Organizer and presider numbers

Each session must have an organizer and may have up to two co-organizer(s). Each session must also have at least one and no more than three presider(s). The organizer(s) and presider(s) may be the same individual(s).

Presider eligibility

No participant may preside over a session in which that person is listed as a paper author, roundtable discussant, poster author, workshop leader, demonstrator or performer.

Respondent eligibility 

No participant may serve as respondent to a session in which that person is listed as a paper author, roundtable discussant, poster author, workshop leader, demonstrator or performer.