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Illuminating Nature: Explorations of Science, Religion, and Magic: Call for Papers

  • Start date: 21st Jul 2025
  • End date: 22nd Jul 2025
  • Durham Castle
  • Organiser: Durham University Medieval and Early Modern Student Association (MEMSA)

The Medieval and Early Modern Students Association (MEMSA) at Durham University is delighted to announce our Call for Papers for our 19th Annual Conference on the theme of ‘Illuminating Nature: Explorations of Science, Religion, and Magic.’

CALL FOR PAPERS

“Magic is natural, for nature itself is magic.” – Paracelsus

The medieval and early modern world was marked by a desire to understand the world and humanity’s place in it. Whether through religious experiences, scientific experimentation, magical ritualism, or many other means, the people of the time sought to explore the natural world and their place within it.

This two-day conference, featuring keynote presentations by Dr. Seb Falk (Cambridge) and Dr. Yarí Pérez-Marín (Durham), will grant scholars the opportunity to broaden the discussion on nature in the medieval and early modern periods, shedding light on how people changed, were changed by, and lived with, in, or against nature in its many forms, illuminating how explorations of medicine, science, theology, magic, and more sought to produce an image of the natural world.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:
– The nature of people, animals, plants, etc.
– Scientific understanding of nature & cosmos
– Herbalism and female medicine
– Medical literature and professions
– Cross-cultural exchange in nature, theology, or scholarship
– Nature in travel literature
– Witchcraft’s reliance on nature
– Hermits/monastic groups in the wilderness
– Rituals surrounding nature
– Creation myths of the natural world
– Writing about nature in poetry or romances
– Learning from medieval and early modern attitudes toward nature
– Folklore/other worlds in relation to nature
– Alchemy as natural (or unnatural) magic

MEMSA’s 19th annual conference will take place near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Palace Green in Durham. We welcome applications from postgraduate and early career researchers from all disciplines of medieval and early modern studies. To apply, please submit a short abstract of no more than 250 words, along with a brief biographical statement, by email.