Review of the Research Institute for History and - Universiteit Utrecht

oader audience. A lively venture is the study of medieval Artes-literature, coordinated by prof. Orlanda
Lie. With her research group (WEMAL) which recruits most of its membership from outside the university,
and her interdisciplinary publications and projects, Lie has managed an impressive continuity and a research
endeavour that involves an interesting mixture of academics and dedicated amateurs.
A 6. Internal evaluation, analysis, perspectives and expectations for the research programme
1. Strengths
Ancient and Medieval Cultures is carried by an interdisciplinary group of researchers with a tradition of close
cooperation. The shared responsibility for the courses in Medieval Studies has contributed very much to its
successful functioning. The presence of a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds among the members is
considered of vital importance to the group’s outlook. This is also the foundation for the ongoing discussions,
within the group, but also with numerous national and international colleagues, who come to Utrecht to
participate in the programme’s many activities. These have now been consolidated in the Utrecht Centre for
Medieval Studies, which provides both a platform and a coherent image for Utrecht’s medievalists. Since the
medievalist dr Bas van Bavel and his collaborators have become part of the adjacent research programme of
Social and Economic History, the social-economic aspect of medieval research is also being covered.
2. Weaknesses
The co-operation of the ancient historians with the more numerous medievalists may seem a weakness, but
in fact the exploration of similar research interests proves to be fruitful. The Ancient historians are handicapped
by the absence of Classics and Classical Archaeology, whilst at present the medievalists lack a senior Germanist.
Furthermore there are impending vacancies for Medieval French, English, Art and Latin. The group
expects to be able to fi ll these vacancies but not always at a professorial level. Especially with regard to Medieval
Art and Latin we will strive for the appointment of colleagues suffi ciently senior to be able to supervise
research students. On the other hand, the Faculty of Arts has supported the project group by the fi lling of
four vacant chairs during the review period: Medieval Dutch Literature (Wackers), Ancient History (Blok),
Medieval Music (prof. Karl Kügle) and Celtic Studies (Prof. Peter Schrijver will be appointed November
15, 2005).
3. Opportunities
The newly created Faculty of the Arts and Humanities, which also includes Religious Studies and
Philosophy, will provide new opportunities to reinforce existing ties with colleagues in those other disciplines.
In particular the area of Ancient Culture is invigorated by the intensifi ed collaboration between Ancient
History, Ancient Philosophy and the sections of Old and New Testament in the Theology Department, in the
shape of combined teaching in MA-programmes, seminars, conferences and several research projects. The
medievalists also intend to make the most of these new possibilities. More generally, the International Prestige
Master in Medieval Studies and the VICI-project in Greek History create new platforms for the expansion of
the two components of the programme.
4. Threats
The winning formula of the group—i.e. a broad diversity of disciplinary backgrounds well-integrated into
a coherent research programme—is threatened by imminent retirements under a tight budgetary regime.
Some optimism seems justifi ed as there has been no lack of appreciation or support on the part of OGC or
the Faculty of Arts for ancient and medieval research. Young scholars make an extremely important contribution
to the programme. It is clear that not all of them can get academic jobs in Utrecht, but it is equally clear
that over the period under review, this research group has trained some highly qualifi ed future colleagues in a
variety of disciplines.
13 Ancient and Medieval Cultures OGC
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