CMRS RESEARCH NETWORKS

The Centre has launched a number of Research Networks with a view to promoting research in the early period and collaboration between scholars at an individual and institutional level. These networks aim also to focus attention on the riches of Trinity's Old Library and to promote instruction in methodologies for interpreting the past. The networks are coordinated by eminent specialists in the respective fields. The involvement of other institutions, scholars, postgraduates, and members of the public is most welcome.

THE EARLY-MODERN GARDENS IN CONTEXT RESEARCH NETWORK

On 21st November 2009, the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Trinity College Dublin, launched its interdisciplinary research network, Early-Modern Gardens in Context, at an inaugural conference of the same name. The Centre is keen to hear from other institutions and also from independent scholars, students, and researchers who are interested in participating in this network. It is intended that the focus of the network should be strongly interdisciplinary, and that it will examine - primarily through conferences, workshops, and publications - a wide range of issues and themes touching on Early-Modern gardens. These would include any aspects of horticulture and garden design that would benefit from cross-disciplinary study, with a particular interest in such areas as gardens in Medieval and Renaissance literature, historic gardens of Britain and Ireland and influences on their design, and Early-Modern gardens in illustrated books.

The network is also designed to relay any potentially relevant information concerning forthcoming conferences, publications, funding opportunities etc. to its members.

All enquiries concerning the network should be directed to Anatole Tchikine, the Strand Co-ordinator. Please consult the network's website at the following link: http://earlymoderngardens.wordpress.com/conferences-and-events/

CHAUCER IN CONTEXT

The Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Trinity College Dublin, is launching its latest research network Chaucer in Context. The network aims to promote discussion and collaboration between Chaucer scholars through seminars, workshops and conferences. The Centre is keen to hear from other institutions, scholars, and post-graduates who are interested in participating in this network. The network is also designed to relay any potentially relevant information concerning forthcoming conferences, publications, funding opportunities etc. to its members.

The network will be officially launched at a conference, 'Chaucer in Context', to be held in Trinity on Saturday 17 April 2010; speakers include Gerald Morgan, Alan Fletcher, Nick Jacobs, and Rory McTurk (further details to follow).

All enquiries concerning the network and the conference should be directed to Dr Gerald Morgan, the Strand Co-ordinator.

FORUM FOR THE STUDY OF EARLY-MODERN WOMEN IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE

The Forum, in close collaboration with the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, is committed to supporting collaborative and individual research on the early modern women of Continental Europe. This encompasses the creative output of early modern women, their depiction in literary and artistic works, and their socio-historic contexts. The Forum is designed to cross both disciplinary and geographical boundaries. It is intended that this initiative will foster the publication of interdisciplinary research and facilitate the emergence of a new scholarly network in this field.

We are especially interested in utilising the relevant holdings of the Manuscripts and Archives Research Library, Trinity College Dublin, in order to further the study of early modern women.

Expressions of interest from scholars (including postgraduate research students) in relevant disciplines are most welcome.

The forum will be launched at a Colloquium in Trinity College Dublin held on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd September 2010.

All enquiries concerning the network and the conference should be directed to Dr Eavan O'Brien, the Strand Co-ordinator, Department of Hispanic Studies, Arts Building (5th Floor), Trinity College Dublin.

BYZANTINE STUDIES RESEARCH NETWORK

This research network will be launched in October 2010 at the workshop '“Convivencia” in Byzantium? Cultural Exchanges in a Multi-Ethnic and Multi-Lingual Society' (1-3 October 2010), an event sponsored by the ESF and organised by the Centre's Research Associate Dr Barbara Crostini. This network builds on the Centre's earlier initiatives to promote Byzantine Studies through workshops organised by Dr Savas Neocleous (see archive). Further details regarding the network will be provided later in the year. All enquiries concerning the network and the workshop should be directed to Dr Barbara Crostini, the Strand Co-ordinator.

OTHER RESEARCH NETWORKS IN WHICH THE CENTRE IS INVOLVED

CULTURES OF WAR RESEARCH NETWORK

This international research network links IMEMS (Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies at the University of Wales) with the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Trinity College, Dublin. Established in 2006 by Andrew Hiscock (Bangor), this network brings together scholars, students and independent researchers who are investigating aspects of war from the early middle ages to the early eighteenth century. The network is strongly interdisciplinary, and welcomes anyone with an interest in examining the implications of cultural violence and disseminating findings in an academic forum.

Initial areas of interest are listed below: but they are not exclusive, and the network has hosted discussion and projects on various aspects of war in the pre-modern world. The fields listed here are intended as crystallising points for clusters of scholars, whose members will define the most urgent questions and formulate activities to answer them.

• The soldier / writer
• Warfare and court culture
• Conflict and the construction of national identity
• Colonialism and conquest
• Literatures of war

This international research network was established in 2006 to bring together scholars, students and independent researchers who focus upon all aspects of warfare and whose interests range chronologically from the Middle Ages to the end of the seventeenth century. All enquiries concerning the network should be directed to the Strand Co-ordinator, Andrew Hiscock.

RÉSEAU INTERNATIONAL POUR DES RECHERCHES SUR LA SAVOIE 1500-1800/INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR RESEARCH ON SAVOY IN THE EARLY-MODERN PERIOD

This research network, proposed in May 2009 by delegates participating in panels on Savoy (organised by Matthew Vester, West Virginia University) at the annual conference of the Sixteenth-Century Society, will be officially launched 26-28 May 2010 at a conference organised by the Centre, Les Conflits en Savoie (1500-1800). For further details about the conference and the proposed network, contact Sarah Alyn Stacey.