The theme of beyond archives is an interesting one for a discipline that relies heavily on existing sometimes still only physical collections. This panel invites papers that explore any aspect of the archive in Old and Middle English literature.

Archives re-imagined or re-created might include exploring medieval archives being created, either in history or fantasy/fiction. Representation or records of archives in Old and Middle English, as well as modern literature set in the relevant eras might provide paths of exploration. More options include considering archives damaged or lost in fires, such as the Cotton fire and the Beowulf manuscript, or digital ones erased such as the British Library cyber attack a few years ago. Questions of what survives and does not, what has been recreated, or finding opportunity in such losses are possible approaches.

Further areas of relevance could address other kinds of archives beyond the library or collection, such as memory or institutional or cultural knowledge. Particularly for diaspora communities (ancient, medieval or later) this possibility might prove of interest. Similarly, the emergence of new technology, including but not limited to AI, cameras, scanners, etc. and their roles in physical and digital preservation, archive creation or restructuring, or enabling new discoveries or ways to learn about the texts and their physical circumstances might provide interesting avenues. Questions of preservation as well as what to keep and what to leave behind, both medieval and modern, would also be suitable.

Questions of access might also be relevant, including funding, environmental impacts of collecting or visiting an archive, general accessibility, and so on. Relatedly, the teaching of archival work is at a cross-roads in terms of methods past and present, including the future of paleography, codicology, and beyond would fit into this panel’s theme and time frame as well.

Please send abstracts of approximately 350 words, along with a cv or brief biographical statement, to Dr. Kathleen Burt at kathleen.burt@mga.edu by no later than April 24, 2026.