Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies

Explore the middle ages with one of the oldest centres of medieval studies in the UK.

The Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies (GCMS) at the University of Reading, aims to facilitate and encourage interdisciplinary study at postgraduate level and to serve as a social and intellectual meeting point for all medievalists.

The centre is made up of academic staff and postgraduates from all fields of medieval studies within the University. It also has an extensive range of affiliates and alumni in other universities and research centres in the UK and beyond.

The centre publishes an annual peer-reviewed journal, Reading Medieval Studies. It also runs an annual programme of visiting speakers and a Summer Symposium.

Hear from a medievalist

Listen to Professor Rebecca Rist (GCMS Director) talk about her research in medieval religious and cultural history, and the GCMS.

Engage in interdisciplinary research 

Expertise is drawn from eight Departments across the University, namely, Archaeology, Business studies, Classical studies, Economics, English, History, Philosophy and Modern Languages (particularly French, German and Italian). Previous research projects have included: a study of monastic buildings, drawing upon both archaeological and documentary evidence; a study of concepts of demons and their powers; and a study of female aristocrats and their patronage in Capetian France.