Call for Papers
13th Annual SMRS
June 8-10, 2026
Saint Louis University
We invite proposals for papers, complete sessions, and roundtables. Any topic in the scholarly investigation of the medieval and early modern world is welcome. This year our organizing, optional theme is: “Materiality.”
Individual papers should be twenty minutes in length. Scholars may also organize and submit full session proposals of three papers each. Scholars in a session must represent at least two institutions. Scholarly organizations are encouraged to sponsor proposals for complete sessions; organizing at least two sessions in coordination with each other is highly recommended. All papers must be delivered in-person.
Mini-conferences, or sub-conferences, large and small (ranging from 15 to more than 100 people), are hosted by societies and occur within the larger context of the SMRS (see below). Additionally, some societies sponsor sessions in the main SMRS. See below, for calls specific to these mini-conferences and society-sponsored sessions.
Most scholars present one paper but are permitted additionally to participate in panel discussions. As far as formal, separate papers, scholars are limited to one paper in the main SMRS plus one paper in a mini-conference, if they wish to participate in both. All submissions are centralized and are made through the SMRS website. Mini-conference organizers evaluate proposals specific to their mini-conferences.
The submission portal will open on November 1. The portal has buttons for submission to the main SMRS and for each of the mini-conferences. The deadline for all submissions is December 31, 2025. Decisions will be made by the end of January, and the final program will be published in March.
Individual papers should be twenty minutes in length. Scholars may also organize and submit full session proposals of three papers each. Scholars in a session must represent at least two institutions. Scholarly organizations are encouraged to sponsor proposals for complete sessions; organizing at least two sessions in coordination with each other is highly recommended. All papers must be delivered in-person.
Mini-conferences, or sub-conferences, large and small (ranging from 15 to more than 100 people), are hosted by societies and occur within the larger context of the SMRS (see below). Additionally, some societies sponsor sessions in the main SMRS. See below, for calls specific to these mini-conferences and society-sponsored sessions.
Most scholars present one paper but are permitted additionally to participate in panel discussions. As far as formal, separate papers, scholars are limited to one paper in the main SMRS plus one paper in a mini-conference, if they wish to participate in both. All submissions are centralized and are made through the SMRS website. Mini-conference organizers evaluate proposals specific to their mini-conferences.
The submission portal will open on November 1. The portal has buttons for submission to the main SMRS and for each of the mini-conferences. The deadline for all submissions is December 31, 2025. Decisions will be made by the end of January, and the final program will be published in March.
MINI-CONFERENCES
International Arthurian Studies Mini-Conference
The International Arthurian Studies-North American Branch returns to the SMRS in June 2026. The IAS-NAB welcomes individual proposals or proposals for complete sessions on any topic pertaining to Arthurian studies, whether medieval or its modern adaptations. Inquiries may be directed to Professor Evelyn Meyer ([email protected]) & Professor Siân Echard ([email protected]), incoming President of the IAS-NAB.
South-Central Renaissance Conference
We are pleased to welcome the South-Central Renaissance Conference (SCRC) to the SMRS for the second time. The SCRC welcomes paper proposals in all areas of Renaissance studies. Besides general sessions, it regularly hosts sessions affiliated with the Queen Elizabeth I Society, the Andrew Marvell Society, and the Society for Renaissance Art History. Presenters in this mini-conference must be members of the SCRC and can join at https://southcentralrenaissanceconference.org/. Submissions will be made via the SMRS website and will open November 1.
To view a PDF of the SCRC call for papers click here. The 2026 invited speakers are: Susan Doran (Louis L. Martz Lecturer), Valerie Schutte (William B. Hunter Lecturer), and Evelyn Tribble (Keynote Lecturer).
Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy
The 2nd Biennual Conference of the SMRP will take place at the 2026 SMRS. Featured speakers are SMRS plenary speaker Bob Pasnau (University of Colorado Boulder) and Stephen Ogden (University of Notre Dame), who will deliver the presidential address. We invite proposals for individual papers as well as for complete sessions on any area or topic in Medieval or Renaissance Philosophy. Anyone wishing to be included on the program must be a current member of the SMRP. To join or renew go to https://smrpblog.wordpress.com/join/. Abstracts of 250-300 words will be submitted via the SMRS submission portal. Questions should be directed to conference organizers: Susan Brower-Toland ([email protected]) and Can Laurens Löwe ([email protected]).
Additional Call for Papers for Pre-Organized Sessions
International Boethius Society:
“Boethian Matters”
The theme for the 2026 SMRS is Materiality, and the International Boethius Society seeks papers which may speak to this theme as well as others. The materiality of Lady Philosophy’s dress, the way the Consolation of Philosophy draws attention to its materiality through the prosimetric form, Boethius’s philosophy of the value of material goods, the question of the relationship of the material universe to eternity, and his treatment of Porphyrian and Aristotelian classifications of materiality in the logical works are all just a few possible topics one may explore in the fascinating range of concepts to which the theme of materiality might speak. Papers on any topics which address the question of Boethius’s life, times, works, and influence (in philosophy, literature, theology, art, and history) are also welcome. Please send your abstracts of 250-350 words with accompanying CV to Anthony G. Cirilla, Co-editor of Carmina Philosophiae: The Journal of the International Boethius Society, at [email protected] by December 29th, 2025.
Also please consider becoming a member of the International Boethius Society to help support our efforts to promote Boethius scholarship: https://boethius.blogspot.com/p/ibs-membership.html.
International Boethius Society:
“Boethian Matters”
The theme for the 2026 SMRS is Materiality, and the International Boethius Society seeks papers which may speak to this theme as well as others. The materiality of Lady Philosophy’s dress, the way the Consolation of Philosophy draws attention to its materiality through the prosimetric form, Boethius’s philosophy of the value of material goods, the question of the relationship of the material universe to eternity, and his treatment of Porphyrian and Aristotelian classifications of materiality in the logical works are all just a few possible topics one may explore in the fascinating range of concepts to which the theme of materiality might speak. Papers on any topics which address the question of Boethius’s life, times, works, and influence (in philosophy, literature, theology, art, and history) are also welcome. Please send your abstracts of 250-350 words with accompanying CV to Anthony G. Cirilla, Co-editor of Carmina Philosophiae: The Journal of the International Boethius Society, at [email protected] by December 29th, 2025.
Also please consider becoming a member of the International Boethius Society to help support our efforts to promote Boethius scholarship: https://boethius.blogspot.com/p/ibs-membership.html.
