Every July, medievalists from across the globe descend upon the University of Leeds for the International Medieval Congress (IMC), and this year’s conference was no exception. With the 2026 theme of Temporalities, the week was filled with fascinating discussions about time, memory, history, and the ways in which the past continues to shape our understandingContinueContinue reading “Autumn and Francesca Reunite: Leeds IMC 2026, by Francesca Roma”
Author Archives: Francesca Squitieri
World Book Day (With Extra Glitter)- by Francesca Roma
I realise this is a slightly belated reflection on World Book Day—but, in my defence, I’ve been rather occupied with other writing of late. Still, it feels worth returning to. After all, this academic year has been designated the Department for Education’s Year of Reading, which makes the conversation not just timely, but ongoing. AsContinueContinue reading “World Book Day (With Extra Glitter)- by Francesca Roma”
A Day Out in London and a Meeting with the Viking Society- by Francesca Roma
After missing the November meeting (and, more importantly, the accompanying dinner), I was particularly keen to make it down to London for the March gathering of the Viking Society for Northern Research. It felt, in many ways, like a return—not just to the Society itself, but to a more active engagement with the academic worldContinueContinue reading “A Day Out in London and a Meeting with the Viking Society- by Francesca Roma”
In the Margins of the Final Draft- by Francesca Roma
It feels only right to begin with an apology. Bodies and Being has been quiet for a while now, and that silence has not been intentional. Like so many things in the final stages of a PhD, it has simply… slipped. Over the past year, life has accelerated in ways I hadn’t entirely anticipated. WhenContinueContinue reading “In the Margins of the Final Draft- by Francesca Roma”
Sharing Our Research with the Southwell Women’s Institute, by Francesca Roma
On Tuesday, 14th October, three of us from the University of Nottingham’s medievalist PhD community had the pleasure of giving a talk for the Southwell branch of the Women’s Institute. The event took place in the beautiful and historic setting of Southwell, a town whose quiet, lamplit streets provided the perfect backdrop for an eveningContinueContinue reading “Sharing Our Research with the Southwell Women’s Institute, by Francesca Roma”
Attending Saga Conference 2025, by Francesca Roma
This August, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Saga Conference 2025, hosted by the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland (3rd–8th August). The week was filled with fascinating scholarship, inspiring conversations, and a warm sense of community among Old Norse scholars from around the world. Before the conference began, I treated myself to aContinueContinue reading “Attending Saga Conference 2025, by Francesca Roma”
The First Anniversary of Bodies and Being, by Autumn Reinhardt-Simpson
July was a joyous month for us at Bodies and Being because it meant celebrating our first anniversary together at the International Medieval Congress. Well, sort of. Francesca and I, and a virtual James, convened to host a round table and bask in the glory of our first year while Natalie stayed home and attendedContinueContinue reading “The First Anniversary of Bodies and Being, by Autumn Reinhardt-Simpson”
Bodies and Being Reunite at Leeds IMC 2025, by Francesca Roma
This July, I had the pleasure of returning to the International Medieval Congress (IMC) at the University of Leeds, and what a week it was! From the buzz of scholarly panels to late-night dancing at the infamous IMC disco, it was a conference filled with research, reunions, and reflections—both personal and academic. Things began onContinueContinue reading “Bodies and Being Reunite at Leeds IMC 2025, by Francesca Roma”
Vikings in York: Reflections on Norse in the North by Francesca Roma
This May, I had the pleasure of attending and presenting at the Norse in the North conference, hosted at the beautiful and historic King’s Manor, part of the University of York. With its medieval origins and tranquil courtyard gardens, King’s Manor was the perfect setting for a gathering of scholars exploring the medieval North. IContinueContinue reading “Vikings in York: Reflections on Norse in the North by Francesca Roma”
Reflections on the 17th Midlands Viking Symposium 2025, by Francesca Roma
On Saturday 17th May 2025, I had the pleasure of attending—and presenting at—the 17th annual Midlands Viking Symposium. Founded by Dr Christina Lee (University of Nottnigham) the symposium is a one-day event dedicated to sharing the latest Viking research with public audiences and academic colleagues across the region. Held this year at the University ofContinueContinue reading “Reflections on the 17th Midlands Viking Symposium 2025, by Francesca Roma”
Bodies and Being 