Formative activities

International Collaborative Workshop: Historiographical Traditions and Academic Training in Medieval Studies

27 March 2026 - Lleida

What is this workshop about?

This workshop, organized by researchers of the Universities of Lleida and Bamberg, will bring together students and researchers from different universities and disciplinary backgrounds related to Medieval Studies to explore how academic training shapes the way medieval sources are read, questioned, and interpreted. Historiographical traditions, disciplinary methods, and national academic cultures can deeply influence how medieval evidence is approached—whether through close reading, contextual reconstruction, comparative analysis, or theoretical interpretation. By placing students from different backgrounds in dialogue with one another, the workshop fosters a more reflexive understanding of what it means to “work with medieval sources” in contemporary scholarship.

Participants will work with the same medieval source and examine how disciplinary formation, methodological habits, and historiographical traditions can lead to distinct analytical outcomes. Through small-group work, plenary discussions, and guided reflection, the workshop aims to make visible intellectual assumptions and interpretative strategies that often remain implicit in academic socialisation. The expected outcome is to foster internationalisation, methodological awareness, and peer-to-peer learning in a structured and realistic manner.

Who can attend?

This activity is open to undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students, regardless of whether they are enrolled at the University of Lleida, the Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, or other universities in Spain or abroad.

As the workshop focuses on Medieval Studies, students in History, Art History, Philology, Archaeology, Medieval Studies, Cultural Heritage or related disciplines devoted to the study of the medieval past are welcome.

No specific prior expertise beyond the training provided by the participant’s current or completed degree is expected.

The workshop will take place in English. A basic working level of English is advisable in order to participate fluently in group tasks and discussions.

Programme overview

10:00. Welcome and introductory explanation of aims, structure, and materials.

10:20. Source analysis in mixed working groups.

11:05. Plenary discussion focused on comparative perspectives and interpretive criteria.

11:35. Coffee break.

11:55. Contextual input on historiographical traditions and academic training in Medieval Studies by the Workshop coordinators.

12:15. Reflexive re-reading and synthesis in small groups.

12:45. Closing remarks.

13:00. End of workshop.

What will participants gain?

· Experience with international and collaborative learning formats.

· Improved awareness of methodological diversity in Medieval Studies.

· Exposure to different disciplinary and national historiographical traditions.

· Opportunities to build academic connections with peers at different stages.

· Attendants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Practical Information

Location: Sala de Juntes Roberto Fernández, Campus Rectorat (2nd floor), Universitat de Lleida

Date: 27 March 2026, from 10:00h to 13:00h

Registration

To register, please send an email to medieval@historia.udl.cat indicating:

· Name and surname

· Degree(s), completed and currently pursued

· Email address for contact For further questions, please write to: medieval@historia.udl.cat

February -May 2020

Formative workshop by Nuria Preixens (Universitat de Lleida)

March - May 2019

Speakers: Àngela G. Centelles, Maria López, Adrià Mas and Luis M. Pérez Zambrano

Programme

8th and 9th February 2016

Speakers: Hugo R. Basualdo, Laura Castro, Ekaitz, Etxeberria, Juan Francisco Jiménez, Isaac Lampurlanés, Gerard Puig, Lledó Ruiz, Flocel Sabaté, Joan Santacana, Noemí Verdú

Programme

October - December 2014

Formative workshop by Joan J. Busqueta (Universitat de Lleida)

November - December 2014

Organizers: Guillem Roca, Joan Montoro, Antonio Porcheddu and Rogerio R. Tostes

Programme

9th - 11th February 2015

Speakers: Jaume Aurell, Jesús Brufal, Sandra Cáceres, Gemma Carnisé, Robert Cuellas, Germán Navarro, Adrian E. Negro, Antonio Porcheddu, Víctor Rabasco, Flocel Sabatér, Karen Stöber and Noemí Verdú.

Programme

10th and 11th February 2014

Speakers: Sandra Bernabeu, Jesús Brufal, Gemma Carnisé, Juan Francisco Jiménez, Chiara Mancinelli, Noemí Ortega, Agurtzane Paz, Gerardo Rodríguez, Flocel Sabaté and Enrique Torija

Programme

October - December 2012

Formative workshop by Joan J. Busqueta and Robert Cuellas (Universitat de Lleida)

February - May 2013

Formative workshop by Jesus Brufal (Universitat de Lleida)

February - May 2013

Formative workshop by Francesc Fité and Fernando Arnó (Universitat de Lleida)

February - May 2013

Formative workshop by Joan J. Busqueta and Robert Cuellas (Universitat de Lleida)