Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Uncovering the pre-modern world and its modern afterlife

Medieval and early modern studies promotes excellence in the research and understanding of the world between the 4th and 18th centuries from a variety of perspectives. This diverse field encourages delving into areas such as history, literature, music, fine arts, performance, trade, philosophy and archaeology.

Our primary research mission is to create new models of collaborative interdisciplinary enquiry within medieval and early modern studies. We apply this mission to the investigation of large-scale research about the development of pre-modern societies and cultures and their significance for Australia's development.

Our researchers operate a range of projects in partnership with leading scholars, centres and cultural institutions worldwide.

Projects highlights

This is a selection of our current Medieval and Early Modern Studies research projects. We welcome students interested in a PhD to discuss other research project ideas with us. PhD students can craft their own ideas under the supervision of experts within a range of disciplines. Contact the Director of the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Kirk Essary, at [email protected] if you wish to undertake research in this field.

Indigenous Australian Dictionary of Biography

This University of Western Australia research project seeks to redress the imbalance of representation in the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Sun setting over lake in Australia

Pacific Matildas: Finding the women in the history of Pacific archaeology

This UWA research project aims to investigate the scientific lives of the first women who conducted archaeological work in Oceania from the late 19th to the mid-20th century.

Portrait of Zhu Di, Yongle Emperor

Ancient Today: Living Traditions of Classical Language Education

Ancient Today aims to compare ancient language education across world cultures with 'classical' literatures. We expect to illumine the purpose and value of classical language education in Chinese, Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit historically and within global education systems today by comparing pedagogic ideals and practices across times and cultures.
Man working on his laptop from his camper van in the middle of the nature

Digital Nomads

The aim of this study is to discover who nomads are in WA, what their living conditions are like, and to ascertain their digital infrastructure needs.

live performance at the theatre

The Renaissance Moved Reading Project

The Renaissance Moved Reading Project invites students, staff and friends to read plays from the English Renaissance period on the New Fortune Theatre stage.
Battle of Pavia oil painting

Gendering the Italian Wars

This project constitutes a major re-evaluation of the Italian Wars through the lens of feminist theory and gender studies.
close up of pages of books

Transnational networks among European missionaries in colonial Australia

UWA is building the first database of correspondence of Australia’s earliest missionaries and making it available online.

Our collaborators

From staging readings of dramatic texts at the New Fortune Theatre, to collaborating with schoolchildren on projects, we work with theatre companies and private art curators to help groups grow their knowledge of the medieval and early modern eras. We also work with local communities to create historic festivals about their pasts.

In the past, we have collaborated with:

  • National Trust (WA)
  • WA Museum Associate
  • Professor Julian Partridge

  

Courses you may be interested in

Student with laptop
Student outside

Centres and groups

Centres

Groups

Related Schools

Contact Dr Kirk Essary

Director, Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies