Connecting the dots between medieval history and the modern world
Welcome! I am a historian and an author specializing in the Middle Ages, although I often venture outside of my scholarly comfort zone to explore how the Middle Ages continue to be imagined and reimagined to this day.
I teach classes about premodern Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as world history, at Washington State University. The best (and the most challenging) part of my job is to show students—especially non-history majors—why history matters and why understanding the past can make us better equipped at dealing with the challenges of the present.
My research explores everyday life and social tensions in medieval towns, including issues of marginalization, persecution, and ideas about cleanliness and pollution. I am also fascinated with how the Middle Ages have been remembered and reimagined over time—from political ideologies to popular culture. My most recent book, Medievalisms and Russia: The Contest for Imaginary Pasts, examines how the medieval past continues to influence modern Russia, including authoritarian politics, imperialism, and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
*** Now in paperback! ***
My most recent book:
Medievalisms and Russia: The Contest for Imaginary Pasts (ARC Humanities Press, 2024)
How has the medieval past shaped Russian politics, society, and culture over the last few centuries? Why does it continue to influence Russia to this day?