100 Years Of Medieval Power: 5 Must-Know Updates From The Medieval Academy Of America (2025 Centennial)
The Medieval Academy of America (MAA) is making headlines in 2025 as it celebrates its historic 100th anniversary, marking a full century of dedication to advanced scholarship in medieval studies. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the MAA has released a flurry of news concerning its centennial events, major academic awards, and new professional initiatives, solidifying its role as the premier organization for medievalists in the Americas.
This year is pivotal for the MAA, not only for its milestone anniversary but also for the transition of its leadership and the launch of new programs designed to support the next generation of scholars. From the prestigious Haskins Medal to a revised advocacy policy, the academy is showcasing a vibrant and forward-looking approach to the study of the Middle Ages.
The New Face of the Medieval Academy: President Carmela Vircillo Franklin
The leadership of the Medieval Academy of America is undergoing a transition, with Professor Thomas Dale concluding his term as President and Dr. Carmela Vircillo Franklin being elected to assume the role. This change in leadership comes at a crucial time as the MAA embarks on its second century.
Dr. Franklin is a highly respected figure in the field of Classics and Medieval Latin, bringing a wealth of scholarly experience to the academy’s highest office. Her background is a testament to the interdisciplinary nature of medieval studies.
- Name: Carmela Vircillo Franklin
- Primary Affiliation: Professor of Classics at Columbia University.
- Education: Received both her B.A. and Ph.D. in Classics (Medieval Latin) from Harvard University.
- Scholarly Focus: Her research is heavily focused on the editorial history of the Liber Pontificalis (a collection of papal biographies) and other Latin texts from the Middle Ages.
- MAA Role: She was elected President of the Medieval Academy of America, taking the helm during the historic 2025 Centennial year.
- Key Work: Her plenary lecture often focuses on the editorial history of the Liber Pontificalis.
The Centennial Meeting: A Historic Return to Harvard (March 2025)
The most significant event on the 2025 calendar is the Centennial Meeting, which celebrates the MAA’s 100th anniversary. This landmark conference is a major gathering for the global medieval studies community.
The MAA’s decision to hold the event at Harvard University is particularly symbolic, as the academy has deep historical ties to the Cambridge, Massachusetts, area. The event is scheduled to take place from March 20–22, 2025, and is expected to feature a wide array of papers, plenary sessions, and special events reflecting a century of scholarship.
The Centennial Meeting serves as a vital platform for scholars to present new research, network with peers, and discuss the future trajectory of the discipline. It is a moment to reflect on the organization's legacy and to look forward to new directions in medieval art, archaeology, history, literature, and culture.
Major 2025 Publication Prizes and Award Winners
The Medieval Academy of America continues its tradition of recognizing outstanding scholarly achievements with the announcement of its 2025 Publication Prizes. These awards highlight the most impactful books and articles published in the field of medieval studies.
The Haskins Medal
The prestigious Haskins Medal for a distinguished book in the field of medieval studies has been awarded to Rita Copeland for her work, Emotion and the History of Rhetoric in the Middle Ages (Oxford University Press, 2022). This award is one of the highest honors a medievalist can receive.
The John Nicholas Brown Prize
The John Nicholas Brown Prize, which recognizes a first book by a member of the MAA, was awarded to Janna Coomans. This prize is instrumental in supporting emerging scholars in the field.
Digital Humanities and Multimedia Studies Prize
Reflecting the growing importance of digital scholarship, the 2025 Digital Humanities and Multimedia Studies Prize was awarded to the Princeton Ethiopian project. This highlights the MAA’s commitment to innovative research methods.
Schallek Awards
The MAA also announced the recipients of the 2025 Schallek Awards, which provide crucial funding for doctoral students working on late medieval British history and culture.
New Initiatives and Professional Development for 2025
Beyond the Centennial celebrations, the MAA has launched several key initiatives aimed at professional development, advocacy, and expanding the skills of medievalists. These programs demonstrate a commitment to both established and junior scholars.
MAA Summer Skills Workshops
In response to a growing need among its constituents and in celebration of the centennial, the MAA is offering several online intensive Summer Skills Workshops in 2025. These workshops are designed to equip scholars with specialized linguistic and technical skills essential for cutting-edge research.
- Focus Areas: Workshops are planned in crucial areas such as Old French and Latin.
- Specialized Seminar: A Summer Skills Seminar on “Medieval & Early Modern Cartography: An Introduction” is also scheduled via Zoom in July 2025, emphasizing digital and technical proficiency.
Revised Advocacy Policy
The MAA Council revised and approved a new Advocacy Policy in March 2025. This policy sets forth clear guidelines for the organization’s involvement in public policy, litigation, and advocacy efforts. The move underscores the MAA’s active role in promoting the value of the humanities and humanistic disciplines in the public sphere.
The Journal Speculum and the 2025 Class of Fellows
The MAA’s official journal, Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies, is itself a cornerstone of the centennial year, as it marks the publication of its 100th volume. Edited by Barbara Newman, Speculum remains the most influential English-language journal in the field.
Furthermore, the 2025 election of Fellows and Corresponding Fellows of the Medieval Academy of America concluded in January, welcoming a distinguished new class of scholars. The title of Fellow is an honor reserved for medievalists who have made outstanding contributions to the field.
Notable 2025 Fellows and Corresponding Fellows
The new class of Fellows includes leading academics whose work spans diverse areas of medieval scholarship.
- Christopher Cannon: A Fellow from The Johns Hopkins University.
- Elisheva Baumgarten: A Corresponding Fellow from the University of Jerusalem.
- Stefan Esders: A Corresponding Fellow from Freie Universität, Berlin.
- Judith Olszowy-Schlanger: Elected as a Corresponding Fellow.
- Eric Palazzo: Elected as a Corresponding Fellow.
- Elisabeth Van Houts: Elected as a Corresponding Fellow.
These announcements demonstrate the Medieval Academy of America’s continued dedication to promoting excellence, supporting new scholarship, and adapting to the evolving landscape of academic advocacy. The 2025 Centennial Meeting is not just a celebration of the past, but a powerful launchpad for the next 100 years of medieval studies.
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