Creativity has always been a key theme, and resource, in the expression and performance of gender identity in both the Middle Ages and in modern scholarly work on the topic. Responding to the burgeoning field of creative criticism, this conference will explore creativity both in the intersectional gender identities of our medieval subjects– in historical documents, literary texts, visual art, and beyond– and in our modern approaches to representing, studying, and analysing them.

The key questions that the conference will address include:

• How might we define ‘creative’ approaches to the conceptualisation, expression, and subversion of gender identity, both in the Middle Ages and in modern critical analysis?
• What can we learn about medieval sources, across different media, if we use ‘creative’ methodologies as our mode of inquiry?
• How might practice-based investigations (such as visual art, creative writing, zinemaking, or performance) enable the recovery of marginalised voices and lead to a more inclusive and intersectional history of gender that can have an impact in the modern world?
• Can the modern creative practices of individual writers and makers be brought together in a meaningful methodology for the field of medieval gender studies?

CALL FOR PAPERS: Abstracts of 300 words max (plus speaker bio) for the following categories of panel are due by 13 April 2026 to [email protected]. Please put ‘GMS Creativity Abstract’ in the subject line of your email and make sure to indicate which session you would prefer to speak in (although we reserve the right to offer you a different session, if that seems appropriate). Please note that there will be no parallel sessions at this conference so there will be fewer slots available for speakers than usual.

• 20min papers
• 7min lightning talks
• 10min roundtable contribution

Lightning talks will be on the broad topic ‘Medieval Gender: Being Creative.’ Contributions might include medieval examples of creativity in gender representation or performance; or, they could include creative-critical modern responses to medieval gender, either by presenters themselves or by other writers/artists.

The roundtable will be on the topic ‘How can creative-critical approaches help us to explore medieval gender? Methods, Benefits, and Challenges.’ Contributors will have ten minutes to speak before panel discussion and Q&A.

The conference will also include an exhibition and ‘open mic’ showcase for participants’ creative work, a creative workshop led by Kristen Haas Curtis, and a raffle of donated creative work to raise money for gender charities in the UK.

DATES: 13 April 2026 (deadline for call for papers), 8-10 September 2026 (dates of conference).

LOCATION: University College, Oxford, UK.

For advice on writing conference abstracts, see Laura Varnam’s website:

The conference will run in association with the Guild of Medievalist Makers.