Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies, Birmingham

Dear friends and colleagues!

If you are joining us in person this coming Saturday to attend the
56th Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies, Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies, please check the following details:

Getting to campus
Train
The University of Birmingham has its own train station known as ‘University’. Trains leave every 10-15 mins from Birmingham New Street Station, usually departing from platform 11B.

Explore further details on train travel
Information on National Rail Services
It may be possible to get cheaper tickets, especially for longer-distance rail travel within the UK.

By bus
Local routes 61, 63, 41, 48, 76, X21, X22, 19, 20, 20A directly serve the University of Birmingham campus, linking the university to the city centre, local train stations and neighbourhoods. The circular 11A and 11C routes also run nearby.

Explore further details on bus travel
Car Parking
Northeast multi-storey car park (Pritchatts Road, B15 2SA).

You can park here for up to ten hours. Parking charges apply Monday to Sunday, between 8am and 6pm. This includes Bank holidays and university closed days.

Charges start from £3.40 and are capped at £10 (as of October 2024) Monday to Friday. If parking at the weekend or on a Bank holiday, there is a flat day rate of £2.50.

Taxi
TOA Taxis are a Birmingham-based company which is recommended by the university.

TOA Taxis: Birmingham black cab taxi service | Home | TOA Taxis
Accommodation
The university has its own onsite hotel accommodation, now known as the Edgbaston Park Hotel.

The city centre has a greater range of accommodation options and is located around 10-15mins away by train.

Explore further information on city centre options.

Medical assistance
First Aid: Dr Daniel Reynolds (symposiarch) is a qualified first aider.

Emergency service numbers: 999 or 112

Medical Practice:

The university has its own dedicated GP practitioner for non-emergency care.

UBHeard is a confidential listening and support service for all registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) at the University of Birmingham. It offers immediate emotional and mental health support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Call the service on 0800 368 5819 (Freephone UK*) or 00353 1 518 0277 (International), or visit the UBHeard portal (create an account with your UoB email address). You can also text ‘Hi’ to +44 74 1836 0780 for SMS & WhatsApp support (standard rates apply) or contact UBHeard via Live Chat.

Security
If there is an immediate risk to life, safety or security – yours, another person’s, or property – call the emergency services on 999. Then call Security on 0121 414 4444. If you are a member of the University of Birmingham, you can also alert them through the SafeZone app.

If you’re calling to report an alleged crime (especially assault/sexual assault, indecency, fraud, theft, or burglary), you should always contact both the police and Security. Security will be able to support you while you wait for the emergency services to arrive.

To report a non-emergency crime (e.g., theft), call Security on 0121 414 3000 or report an incident through the SafeZone app. You should also report the incident to the police online or by calling 101.

Food and drink
Lunch and refreshments will be provided for all symposium delegates. However, the campus also has a wide range of options you may prefer to explore

Dear friends and colleagues! This year you can join us at the campus or online to attend the 56th Spring Symposium of the Byzantine Studies Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies

You can attend the symposium online by registering in the attached link 👇

56th Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies - Byzantium from below: rural and non-elite life in the Byzantine world 56th Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies at the University of Birmingham

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SoA day of action following allegations of Meta’s mass theft of authors’ work – The Society of Authors On Thursday 20 March, The Atlantic broke the story of how Meta has used the Library Genesis (LIbGen) dataset, which is full of pirated material, to develop their AI systems.

Call for Papers: International Online Conference “Christian Relics and Reliquaries from Late Antiquity to Post Byzantine Time: Perception and Interpretation”

Deadline: May 23, 2025

We are pleased to invite paper proposals on the perception and interpretation of Christian relics and reliquaries for the online conference "Christian Relics and Reliquaries from Late Antiquity to Post Byzantine Time: Perception and Interpretation" organized by the Medieval Studies Center, Ilia State University (Tbilisi Georgia), to be held in October 18-19.2025.

The conference aims to reassess the significance and role of relics and reliquaries across various traditions, focusing on the veneration practices and their cultural dimensions.

The relics and reliquaries have been the subject of multiple studies over the decades. However, new research and materials continue to reveal fresh insights into the veneration of relics and their cultural significance. This conference aims to reinterpret the meaning and role of Christian relics and their receptacles across various cultural traditions. The diverse practices of relic veneration, developed within premodern Christian culture, offer valuable insights into the political, religious, and aesthetic values of the time.

Any topic exploring Christian relics and reliquaries will be welcomed.

We particularly encourage papers that look into the following subjects:

- Role of Relics and Reliquaries in the Construction of Cult of Monastic Saints: Examining how relics and their receptacles contributed to the development of veneration of monastic saints.

- Relics and Identities: Investigating the role of relics in shaping cultural and religious identities.

- Relics and Rituals: Analyzing the rituals associated with relics and their impact on religious practices.

- Relics and Reliquaries as Gifts: Exploring the cultural and political significance of gifting relics and reliquaries.

- Relics and Pilgrimage: Studying the relationship between relics and pilgrimage traditions.

- Devotional Practices: Investigating how relics influenced devotional activities and personal piety.

- Ideological Context of Relics and Reliquaries: Examining the ideological and theological underpinnings of relic veneration and the design of reliquaries.

Please submit your abstract of no more than 300 words, and a 100-word biography to [email protected]

The deadline for abstracts is 23 May 2025, notification of acceptance will be confirmed by 15 June 2025.

All submitted abstracts will undergo peer-review. Papers will be selected based on originality, relevance, and quality of contribution.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Prof. Nina Chichinadze

Director of the Center of Medieval Studies

School of Arts and Sciences

Ilia State University

3/5 Kakutsa Cholokashvili Ave.

0179 Tbilisi, Georgia

For details see:

Call for Papers: International Online Conference “Christian Relics and Reliquaries from Late Antiquity to Post Byzantine Time: Perception and Interpretation” We are pleased to invite paper proposals on the perception and interpretation of Christian relics and reliquaries for the online conference "Christian Relics and Reliquaries from Late Antiquity to Post Byzantine Time: Perception and Interpretation"  organized by the Medieval Studies Center, Ilia St...

Summer Course for Classical Languages in Muğla, Turkey (7-27 July)

Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi Web Sitesi

https://medieval.ox.ac.uk/2025/02/28/job-associate-professor-in-byzantine-history/

Job: Associate Professor in Byzantine History – Oxford Medieval Studies Job: Associate Professor in Byzantine History by Tristan Alphey28/02/202513:12Comments Off on Job: Associate Professor in Byzantine Historyopportunities, Uncategorized We are seeking a highly motivated, inspirational person to join our thriving academic community of historians and bring exciting per...

https://www.medievalart.org/icmacommunitynews/inaugural-icma-associates-lecture-2025-royal-cemeteries-in-medieval-iberia-gerardo-boto-varela-speaker-saturday-15-february-2025-1700-cet-11am-et-in-person-and-online

Inaugural ICMA Associates Lecture 2025: Royal Cemeteries in Medieval Iberia (Gerardo Boto Varela, speaker); Saturday 15 February 2025, 17:00 CET / 11AM ET (in-person and online) — International Center of Medieval Art Inaugural ICMA Associates Lecture 2025 Royal Cemeteries in Medieval Iberia: Geopolitical System and Sites of Dynastic Memory Speaker: Gerardo Boto Varela, Universitat de Girona Saturday 15 February 2025, 17:00 CET / 11am ET Centro di Cultura e Storia Amalfitana Supportico S. Andrea, 3 Amalfi

Institute for Peace and Dialogue (IPD) call for applicants from all over the world countries to join 3 Month Executive Diploma Programs for 2025 Year Intakes which surrounding special instruction focus to give the participants valuable education, wide professional experience and fruitful network which graduates can apply their gained skills to build successful worldwide career in state, private and public sectors in numerous positions as Senior Manager, Diplomat, Judge, Mediator, Arbitrator, Human Resources Manager, Case Manager, Program Coordinator, Public Relations Manager, Mentor, Coacher and etc. relevant jobs in middle, senior and executive level.

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Early Bird Application Deadline for Summer Intake: 5 February, 2025
Late Application Deadline for Summer Intake: 31 March, 2025
Duration for Summer Intake: 5 May, 2025 - 31 July, 2025

Early Bird Application Deadline for Winter Intake: 5 June, 2025
Late Application Deadline for Winter Intake: 11 August, 2025
Duration for Winter Intake: 1 October, 2025 - 24 December, 2025


Program Venue: Basel, Switzerland

Language: English (German, French, Turkish & Russian languages is also available in certain cases)

Daily Class Hours: 09.00 - 13.30

Class Days: MO, TU & WE

Study Type: On Campus / Online

Accommodation: Shared or Single furnished Hotel-Hostel-Flat rooms available upon request of Student



Participation Procedure Step by Step

Submitting filled application in WORD format till the Deadline

Participant will receive Invoice to start the payment of the requested participation fee amount

After receiving the participation fee, participant will receive the unconditional invitation letter via email and if there is required visa application process IPD will send invitation letter by post and also to the relevant embassy by email.

We strongly advice to the participants to submit the filled application as soon as it`s possible, who needs visa to enter Switzerland and who needs more financial documentation in the work place for his/her participation.



Scholarship: IPD offer several type of scholarship support to reduce the participation fee amount for most needed potential participants from all over the world counties.

If you wish to get discounted participation fee amount, please write your request briefly via email before or during the application submission period.

Unfortunately IPD scholarship sources do not cover all the participation fee amount and international travel expenses and we only could offer you discounted fee amount.


To register Summer or Winter Intake of Executive Diploma Program you need to fill the application form and send us by email to [email protected], via WhatsApp or LinkedIn address till the Application Deadline.

We are looking forward to receive your application soon and welcome you as one of our student.

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If you have any questions feel free to contact us by email, WhatsApp or LinkedIn address https://www.linkedin.com/in/fakhrinur-huseynli-574776223/

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The latest volume of Birmingham Byzantine and Ottoman Studies is now out:

Approaching Social Hierarchies in Byzantium: Dialogues Between Rich and Poor Utilising new methodological approaches to understanding not only the poor as a social and economic group but also of the internal means of stratification which informed social organisation within local communities, this book looks at the place of the poor within the multi-layered hierarchies of Byz...

ZOË PAPPAS-SARBANES SENIOR FELLOWSHIP IN THE STUDY OF MEDIEVAL THROUGH MODERN GREECE AT THE GENNADIUS LIBRARY

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For Scholars | American School of Classical Studies at Athens Eligibility: An established scholar working in any area related to the study of Greece in the Medieval through Modern periods for a project that benefits from the use of the Gennadius Library, and/or School Archives, or other related sources. Special collections, rare books, archives, and research h...

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In 2025 we are hosting the 56th Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies at the University of Birmingham Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies!!!

Call for communications:
Byzantium from below: rural and non-elite life in the Byzantine world
12th-14th April 2025
Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies
University of Birmingham

https://www.byzantium.ac.uk/call-for-communications-56th-spring-symposium-of-byzantine-studies-at-the-university-of-birmingham/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3Uy_Dty6B-PcOufVR0fbHdw7h_6TBbmJ4n9WxBJhbboh1PTVbrDUuX6oA_aem_YhZHe6Z7bIzGmIOT1oR0OA

Call for communications: 56th Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies at the University of Birmingham – SPBS Posted on 5 December, 20245 December, 2024 by Gavriil - Ioannis BoutziopoulosCall for communications: 56th Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies at the University of Birmingham Byzantium from below: rural and non-elite life in the Byzantine world 12th-14th April 2025 Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman an...

CALL FOR PAPERS

Shifting Fortunes
in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages

Edinburgh’s Centre for Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies (CLAIBS) is pleased to announce the call for papers for the 6th International Graduate Conference in Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies, to take place on 24th-25th April, 2025, at the University of Edinburgh. We invite papers which approach the theme of ‘shifting fortunes’ in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, from a global perspective.

The fortunes of individuals, communities and states in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages were far from fixed certainties, and whilst any number of sudden crises and exigencies could bring fortunes crashing down, there was also ample opportunity for them to be built up, transformed, and consolidated. Therefore, securing one’s fortunes, be they political, economic or spiritual, was of paramount importance to all members of late antique and medieval societies. Whether in the imperial cities of Constantinople and Rome, the caliphal courts of Baghdad, Cordoba and Cairo, or in the courts of Paris and Léon, decisions were made, edicts and chrysobulls were issued, taxes were raised, theologies were disputed, and wars were waged, all in the name of securing the good fortune of ruling interests. Beyond the actions of caliphs, emperors and kings, one is greeted by an assortment of ways in which individuals and communities sought to enhance their own fortunes, be it through pious dedications, participation in religious ritual, production or patronage of literature, economic activities or acts of rebellion. On the other hand, a drop in fortunes could be heralded by environmental factors, such as plague, famine, drought, or through instances of external and internal conflict like invasion, civil war and fitnah.

This conference will focus on this theme of shifting fortunes and examine both the factors underpinning change, as well as the various processes and dynamics through which the creation, consolidation, and collapse of fortunes came to pass. For instance, how were fortunes negotiated and renegotiated across the period, and how far did this differ across the boundaries of social class, gender, religious identity and geography? Given the broad range of possible applications of ‘shifting fortunes’ as an avenue of historical inquiry, we encourage the submission of papers which broach a wide array of topics and adopt innovative methodological approaches in their case studies. Moreover, the scope of this conference shall go beyond Centre’s focus on Late Antiquity, Islamic and Byzantine Studies. As such, we shall also incorporate contributions from a global medieval perspective.

Keynote Speaker: Dr Krystina Kubina (Austrian Academy of Sciences)

We particularly encourage contributions on the suggested topics below, however, papers which approach the theme of ‘shifting fortunes’ from other angles will also be considered:

Political perspectives – Administrative, legislative and judicial changes and policies brought about to bolster fortunes or as a response to a regression in fortunes. Political actions taken in the name of fortune, be they usurpations, rebellions, ceremonies and rituals, the production of propaganda, or political strategy and intrigue.

Economic perspectives – The extent to which fortunes were determined by economic, monetary and fiscal changes enacted by ruling systems. The influence of overland and maritime trade networks on the fortunes of states, communities and individuals. Economic actions of non-ruling classes.

Ecological perspectives – How did ecological changes, be they fortuitous or catastrophic, influence the fortunes of those affected, and how did individuals, communities and states respond to, negotiate, and mitigate these changes?

Resistance and upheaval – The reaction of communities to changes in their political and economic fortunes, their strategies of resistance (e.g. refusal to pay taxes, rebellion), and the ideological underpinnings of resistance.

Ideological perspectives – What role did ideologies fulfil in shaping the fortunes of its adherents, or of those subjected to the whims of its adherents? How did ‘official’ ideologies shape the socio-political landscape, and to what extent did ideological trends underpin complex processes of decision making, the pursuit of justice and the use of propaganda?

Religious perspectives – The actions taken by states, communities and individuals to either consolidate and build upon their fortunes, be that through the consolidation of their religious identity, or as a response to challenges against it. The processes of negotiation and mediation through which individuals and communities secured their spiritual fortunes, be it dedications, donations or participation in ritual. Inter-faith and cross-confessional dialogues and interactions, divergences from orthodox religious praxis, and the interrelationships of religious hierarchy.

A view from below – What of those individuals and communities traditionally left in the dark by the aristocratic orientation of our literary sources? How far can ‘low register’ vernacular literature, archives, papyri, tax records and inquisition registers inform us of the fortunes and misfortunes of these groups, and the strategies of change available to them?

Aspects of patronage – Acts of patronage, in all their myriad forms, are attested across the breadth of Late Antique and medieval societies, regardless of the boundaries of gender and religious identity, social class or ethnic identity. What did patrons seek to gain through these financial investments, and how does this relate to personal and communal fortunes?

Literary perspectives – The production of literature represented a significant investment of resources, in terms of both the time and effort demanded by the writing of an original composition, as well as the financial investment of creating the physical text in manuscript form. Understanding the motivations behind such investments leaves us well-positioned to determine what truly mattered to these individuals. What, therefore, was to be gained from literary production? The bolstering of one’s economic, political or spiritual fortunes? The accruement of social legitimacy? The curation of one’s programme of self-representation?


The deadline for abstracts is the 21st February and notification of acceptance will be confirmed by 7th March. Please submit your abstract of no more than 300 words, and a 100-word professional biography to [email protected]. We kindly welcome submissions from individuals or groups. Lunch will be provided on both days, and there will be a small registration fee of £20 for attendees. For speakers, we hope to waive this registration fee, but further information will be provided at a later date.

Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies and British School at Athens autumn lecture. Peter Sarris,, Writing the Reign of Justinian Date: Tuesday, November 13th, 2024 Time: 5:00 PM

SPBS Autumn lecture (Peter Sarris, Cambridge) at Online Tickets are now available for SPBS Autumn lecture (Peter Sarris, Cambridge) at Online, Online on Wed 13 Nov 2024 at 5:00PM. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

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Project Curator - Cromwell Road, London The V&A is planning a large-scale exhibition for Autumn 2026 which has Byzantine art as a major component. The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication and a wide variety of other events. The main focus of the role is to coordinate research and other activities associated with the project, su

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/centre-for-byzantine-ottoman-and-modern-greek-studies/t-jzyxekm

Chris Wickham: The Donkey and The Boat: The Economic Logic of Medieval Societies. at Online Tickets are now available for Chris Wickham: The Donkey and The Boat: The Economic Logic of Medieval Societies. at Online, Online on Wed 13 Nov 2024 at 4:00PM. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/new-editor-for-byzantine-modern-greek-studies.