Elena Rossi
Research Topic
A Rose Among the Thorns?: An Investigation into How Women Encountered Worlds of Learning 1200 to 1500.
My research considers how women encountered worlds of learning in the university towns of Oxford, Paris and Bologna. Research on medieval universities has tended to focus purely on the experience of scholars. When women appear in university history, they are merely the objects of university men, whether in their textbooks and disputations, or in cases of abuse. By moving beyond the objectification of women, I consider how and why women interacted with scholars, examining their various motives and experiences, including personal relationships, familial connections, patronage, spiritual guidance, education and abuse.
More broadly I am interested in medieval education, particularly the development of universities, and the role of gender and families within intellectual networks. I am also working on a new project on the soundscapes of medieval universities.
Supervisor: Dr Hannah Skoda
Scholarships and Awards
Oxford-Leon E and Iris L Beghian Graduate Scholarship (2020-2024)
Dinah and Jessica Nichols Scholarship (2018-2019)
Jonathan Riley-Smith Prize (2018)
Academic Affiliations
Post Graduate Representative, History of Education Society (2023-)
Scouloudi Fellow, Institute of Historical Research (2023-2024)
Exchange Student, Università di Padova (2023)
Peter Gosden Fellow, History of Education Society (2022-2023)
Colloquium Secretary, London Medieval Society (2021-)
Social Media and Website Secretary, London Medieval Society (2018-2021)
Publications
'Women and Medieval Universities', in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Medieval Women's Writing in the Global Middle Ages, ed. by Michelle M. Sauer, Diane Watt and Liz Herbert McAvoy (2024)
‘British Library Manuscript Additional 8537 as a Source for Florentine/Pisan University History’, The Electronic British Library Journal (2022)
Research Experience
Academic Assistant, St John's College, Oxford (2022-2023)
Research Assistant on project concerning the careers of professors in late medieval and early modern Italian universities, London School of Economics (2019-2020)
Teaching
Special Subject: Joan of Arc and Her Age, 1419-1435
Outreach Work
Outreach Tutor, Oxford History Faculty (2022-2024)
Student Lead, Medieval Student Experience, Queen Mary, University of London (2018-)
Lecturer, Inspire Summer Schools, St John's College, Oxford (2022)
Researcher in Residence, Oxford History Faculty and St. Gregory the Great Catholic School (2021-2022)
Intern, Citizens Project, Royal Holloway, University of London (2018-2020)
Twitter: @elenafranrossi
