Performing Magic in the pre-Modern North

University of Aberdeen (In-PErson & Virtual)

9-10 November 2023

Abstracts Due By 31 July 2023

Silver figure from the Viking period depicting a woman. Possibly the goddess Freyja. Found at Tissø. National Museum of Denmark

We invite abstract submissions to the third Performing Magic in the pre-Modern North conference, which will take place on 9-10 November 2023.

The conference will focus on magic in ancient, medieval, and early modern Northern Europe. Magic, both as a concept and as a tool, is frequently featured in textual sources of the pre-Modern North. Archaeological studies of the period have also linked burial evidence with ritual practices, proposing that certain tools were used to perform magic.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Crossing boundaries with magic
Magic represented in literature
Transgression through magic
Tools of magical practice
Classifications and fluidity of magic
Use and intention of magic
Magical creations

We are especially interested in interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies for this conference.

Submission guidelines

The language of the conference is English and will be a hybrid event, taking place both at the University of Aberdeen and online. Papers should not exceed 20 minutes and will be followed by 10 minutes of discussion. We encourage student, early career, established and independent researchers to participate. If you wish to present a paper, please email an abstract of 250-300 words alongside a short personal biography that includes your name, pronouns, area of study, institutional affiliation (if relevant), and if you plan to attend the conference in-person or virtually by 31 July 2023 to nate.richardson-read@liverpool.ac.uk

This conference is generously supported by the University of Aberdeen's Development Trust Student Fund and the Scottish Society for Northern Studies.