Given the prevalence and success of undergraduate research initiatives in higher education throughout America and Europe, the undersigned believe that undergraduates should have the opportunity to submit an abstract to any panels listed in the Call for Papers and to be judged according to the same standards as any other scholar who submits to these panels. Far from detracting from the quality of the conference, such a change will instead only serve to enhance the reputation of the ICMS as one of the most intellectually rigorous, generous, welcoming conferences in the field. Furthermore, given the conference's privileging of pedagogical sessions that reinforce outstanding teaching practices, this move seems like a natural fit for the overall philosophy of the ICMS. 

This is a friendly petition intended to show the organizers of the ICMS how much support there is for having well-prepared undergraduates present at the conference. The ICMS is much beloved among medievalists, and this change would only increase that community.