"Otherness" at IMC in Leeds: An Open Letter

Department of Modern Languages Rhode Island College

Durham University

Digital Humanities Coordinator, Michigan State University

Assistant Professor of English, Rice University

United States

This sort of thing needs to be challenged. It happens too often. This is not the first time but we need to make it one of the last.

I did not attend the IMC this year but was shocked to hear of the experiences of my colleagues of colour at the conference. I hope that this can be addressed - I love attending the IMC and think it is a very important resource for our field.

Assistant Professor of English, Skidmore College

Durham University

University of Geneva

Leeds this year struck an uneasy balance for me. I was able to attend several very nuanced, inclusive, and inspiring panels, the type to help push the field in the right direction; however, others not only left a great deal to be desired, they left a palpable discomfort amongst attendees and a bitter taste in the mouths of those who anticipated a more thoughtful approach to a highly charged issue. At the very least, the organisers of the conference should acknowledge these shortcomings, particularly the off-base comments that were made. We can hardly expect to push our field forward if some of our most visible representatives cannot even acknowledge the very aspects of the field that we are seeking to remedy.

University of Edinburgh

This was my first IMC Leeds and while I found the conference stimulating overall (and the town lovely), I was disappointed with the "Other" thread. Frankly it struck me as a bit lazy and not very well thought out, especially as it concerned the makeup of panels. Needless to say this resulted in part in a lot of my friends and colleagues feeling excluded, something I feel Leeds should be taking very seriously.

Associate Professor of English Pennsylvania State University, Brandywine

Assistant Professor California State Polytechnic University, Pomona California (USA)

Associate Professor Butler University Indianapolis, IN (USA)

Recently we have seen the rise of far-right groups and activists in several countries. Many of them are using Medieval times and culture to promote their agenda, using symbols and cultural elements in their work. It is high-time we Medievalists said enough for this nonsense. No one can claim humanity's past and the cultural heritage of mankind as their own, let alone destroy it. We need to stand up as one and say no to racism, and maybe we should start it in our own circles. Attila Bulenda, MA, University of Iceland

United States/Australia-- PhD University of Chicago Divinity School

It is urgent that the present situation should be addressed and solved as soon as possible.

Assistant Professor Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME (USA)