Call for Papers

Buboes, Orificies, and Horns: Non-Normative Bodies

61st International Congress on Medieval Studies

Western Michigan University, May 14-16, 2026

Due by 15 September 2025

This panel examines medieval conceptualisations and representations of (non-)normative bodies, and aims to better understand the demarcations between the human and non-human, the abled and disabled, the white and non-white/racialised, the gender conforming and gender non-conforming body. We welcome interdisciplinary approaches, including art history, literary criticism, disability studies, critical race studies, and gender studies. We adopt a broad definition of the ‘medieval world,’ and invite contributions on material from all geographic regions and time periods between ca. 500-1500, as well as the later re-appropriation of medieval material. Contributions that study the intersection of two or more bodily markers are encouraged.

We welcome papers from researchers, curators, conservators, librarians, and graduate students working on medieval bodies. This session will be held in person. Abstracts of no more than 300 words should be submitted via the Confex proposal portal by 15 September 2025.

For more information or questions, please contact the organisers, Imke Vet (imke.vet@yale.edu) and Se Jin Park (sejin.park@yale.edu).