The Harlaxton Medieval Symposium prides itself on providing a welcoming and encouraging environment for both students and ECRs. In addition to offering two Dobson Scholarships, we are running a work-in-progress presentation competition to allow students and ECRs to test out and present their research in a friendly academic environment, fostering discussion with other experts and established scholars in the field of medieval studies. This replaces the poster presentations that we have run in previous years.
All PhD students or early career researchers who have been awarded a doctorate in the past two years are invited to participate in the competition and to present an aspect of their research at the 2024 Harlaxton Medieval Symposium. Presentations should relate to any aspect of medieval history, art, or literature, and do not necessarily have to align with the theme of the symposium. As in previous years, one evening of the symposium will be devoted to the presentations, giving attendees the chance to engage with students and ECRs. The presentations will be accompanied by a drinks reception, generously sponsored by the Early Book Society.
If you wish to participate in the competition, please inform the secretaries at harlaxtonsymposium@gmail.com by Friday 19th July 2024.
Entrants must have booked to attend the symposium and will be expected to present on the evening of the competition. The winner will be announced at the Symposium dinner and a prize will be awarded. Those who give presentations will be eligible to apply for one of our postgraduate bursaries to help cover travel costs (funds permitting). Dobson Scholars are required to present.
Presentation requirements
- 5-7 minutes based on an any aspect of work relating to the middle ages.
- Please prepare an accompanying PowerPoint presentation of a few slides.
- Please email PowerPoint files to harlaxtonsymposium@gmail.com by midnight (BST) on Friday 9th August 2024.
Presentation guidelines
- Presentations should relate to ongoing (rather than completed) research.
- 5-7 minutes is not a long time to present – your presentation should distil the main elements of your work, including its significance, sources used, and any tentative or concrete conclusions you can draw.
- Make it clear to the viewer what your research question is, why it is interesting.
- Your PowerPoint should be visually interesting and be designed to accompany and elevate the spoken element of your presentation – try not to include too much text, and ensure that any content on the PowerPoint directly relates to what you are speaking about.
- Use photographs, manuscripts, graphs, maps, or other visuals to tell the story of your research.
- Think of your presentation as an advertisement for your research project, not as the project itself. Your goal is to engage the interest of the audience. There will be amble opportunity for further discussion after the presentations.
- Simplicity and clarity and essential. Keep to the point, and don’t try to cover too many things.
- Be sure to keep your presentation sharp and within the time limit.
If you have any questions, please email the secretaries at harlaxtonsymposium@gmail.com.