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Paris, Biblioth\u00e8que nationale de France. D\u00e9partement des Manuscrits. Latin 10532, page 2, detail. Hor\u00e6 ad usum Fratrum Pr\u00e6dicatorum, dites Heures de Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric d\u2019Aragon. Image Public Domain via https:\/\/gallica.bnf.fr\/ark:\/12148\/btv1b8427228j\/f6.item.<\/p><\/div>\n
In keeping with our 2026 Theme of <\/b>\u201cTransformations and Renewals,\u201d<\/b><\/a> for our 2026 RGME Symposium<\/strong> we explore perspectives and experiences in learning and teaching (and vice versa), considered across generations, subjects, and methods. At the center are observations about the challenges and opportunities for the transmission of the past in the hands of the present, notably considering that process through written records, and taking into account our responsibilities for the future. We focus on experiences, at various stages across lifespans, and what they teach us.<\/p>\n In a nutshell: we reflect about \u201cManuscripts, Books, Written Materials, and their Powers as Teachers.\u201d We also attend to processes by which we might learn, be taught, and embark upon teaching, in cycles that might interlink in response to inspiration, encouragement, cautions, discoveries, serendipity, and choices made or revised as experience or evidence might direct.<\/p>\n The scope for subjects of teaching and learning can range across a multitude of periods, genres, methods, processes, purposes, and results. They span manuscripts and beyond, medieval and more, including documents, prints, arts, crafts, skills, sciences, and a multitude of approaches to the transmission of learning.<\/p>\n We wish to gather stories and compare notes. We will hear from young students, practicing teachers, scholars, retirees, and others in the worlds of learning and practice, whether in the classroom or beyond. We recognize that these worlds can have wide horizons and that the learning experiences and the agencies for learning can extend across a given lifetime as well as move across lifetimes.<\/p>\n We take into account a wide range of approaches in both Arts and Sciences. We attend to the experiences of people where they stand in their journey. Although the state of education in the present climate encounters challenges aplenty, the individual and collective dedication to teaching and its transmission from person to person and generation to generation, as well as across the ages, calls for celebration of the joys of learning, along with the processes of sharing and mentoring them.<\/p>\n Some questions to examine might include:<\/p>\n Generally we seek presentations of some 20 to 25 minutes, longer presentations of some 40 to 45 minutes, responses of some 10 to 15 minutes, and comments of varied lengths \u2014 impromptu included \u2014 for roundtable discussions and conversations. They will occupy sessions of 1 \u00bd hours, which include scope for Q&A. We begin to draw up the program, with sessions settling into place.<\/p>\n Participation is welcome and flexible: Advise, Attend, Preside, Talk, Present, Respond, Ask Questions, Give Feedback, Compare Notes. Join the Celebration!<\/p>\n Please let us know if you wish to participate. We look forward to comparing notes, learning, and learning anew.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We assemble the program. The symposium is organized by Mildred Budny<\/strong> and Ann Jianxue Chen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n People who will participate, whether as Advisers, Presiders, Moderators, Presenters, Respondents, Panelists,\u00a0 Commentators, and Behind-the-Scene Supporters<\/strong>, whether in-person or online, include (in alphabetical order):<\/p>\n Cortney Anne Berg <\/strong>(City University of New York Graduate Center) As we shape the Program<\/strong> and find Venues<\/strong> for parts of the event (see below), we invite Contributions<\/strong>. These forms of participation might suit different styles, personalities, genres, and approaches.<\/p>\n Sessions in preparation include:<\/p>\n “Manuscripts as Pedagogy” Subjects include practices in pedagogy across time, the transmission of literary cultures, the r\u00f4les of women in that transmission, the nature of written sources as witnesses, case-studies centering on specific manuscripts or printed books (or fragments thereof), and interviews or conversations with teachers, students, and practitioners in a wide range of fields of activity and agency.<\/p>\n In shaping the event, we look for Venues<\/strong> and Sponsors<\/strong>. As we work to gather the delicious and nutritious Food for Thought<\/strong>, we also think about sustenance in the forms of Food and Drink<\/strong>, back-up operations online and in-person by the RGME Production Team<\/strong>, and other components to enable a vibrant accomplishment of this eagerly collaborative event.<\/p>\n Please get in touch.<\/p>\n As we shape the Program<\/strong>\u00a0and its cast of Participants<\/strong>, we explore venues for some of its parts to take place in-person. We aim for all sessions to be accessible online. Recordings for some of them might become available, with permissions.<\/p>\n Updates<\/em>:<\/p>\n Part of the event has been approved to take place at Princeton University<\/strong> on Monday 7 December<\/strong>. We thank our co-organizer, Ann Jianxue Chen<\/strong>, for securing approval for this very special event, co-organized by the RGME<\/strong> and the East Asian Cultural Association (EACA)<\/strong> of Princeton University, and open to all in hybrid format.<\/p>\n 2026 Symposium Poster RGME + EACA: Monday 6 December. Poster designed by Ann Jianxue Chen.<\/p><\/div>\n A New Update<\/em><\/p>\n Part of the event has been approved to take place at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, <\/strong>on Friday 4 December<\/strong>. We thank Nancy Bisaha<\/strong>, Thomas E. Hill, <\/strong>and Ronald Patkus<\/strong>\u00a0for this welcome development.<\/p>\n Share your questions, suggestions, and requests with us, as we collaboratively design the event.<\/p>\n Posters are available for download and display.<\/p>\n As the program takes shape, you may register through our Eventbrite Portal:<\/p>\n Note<\/em><\/strong> that there are three different registration portals on our Eventbrite Portal.<\/p>\n Registration Option 1<\/strong>. <\/span>ONLINE Attendance for the full event<\/span> (2 December \u2013 8 December), Options 2\u20133<\/strong>. <\/span>IN PERSON Attendance for each of the two venues <\/span>(4 December and 7 December) 2. <\/span>IN PERSON Event at Vassar College<\/span> 3. <\/span>IN PERSON Event at Princeton University<\/span>Call for Participation<\/h2>\n
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\nContact: director@manuscriptevidence.org<\/a> or mildredbudny@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\nPeople<\/h2>\n
\nPhillip Bernhardt\u2013House <\/strong>(Research Group on Manuscript Evidence)
\nRebecca Bramlett<\/strong> (Syracuse University Libraries)
\nMildred Budny<\/strong> (Research Group on Manuscript Evidence)
\nAnn Jianxue Chen <\/strong>(Princeton University)
\n<\/strong>Zenon Donaldson <\/strong>(University of Waterloo)
\nAugustine Dickinson <\/strong>(Universit\u00e4t M\u00fcnster<\/span>)
\nDaria Elagina <\/strong>(Universit\u00e4t M\u00fcnster<\/span>)
\nRobert Martin Kerr <\/strong>(Universit\u00e4t des Saarlandes)
\nHannah Goeselt <\/strong>(Massachusetts Historical Society Library)
\nJustin Hastings<\/strong> (Research Group on Manuscript Evidence)
\nAntony R. Henk\u00a0<\/strong>(Medievalisms \u2013 Ruhr-Universit\u00e4t Bohum)
\nThomas E. Hill <\/strong>(Art Library, Vassar College)
\nKevin Maringer <\/strong>(The Pirbright Institute, Surrey)
\nBeppy Landrum Owen
\nZoe Langer <\/strong>(Rare Book School)
\n<\/strong>David Porreca<\/strong> (University of Waterloo)
\nMark Saltviet<\/strong> (Independent Scholar)
\nAnna Siebach\u2013Larson <\/strong>(Colgate University)
\nDavid W. Sorenson <\/strong>(Allen G. Berman, Numismatist)
\nN. Kivilcim Yavuz <\/strong>(University of Leeds)
\n<\/strong>And more!<\/p>\nSubjects and Sessions<\/h2>\n
\n“Learning to Read, From the Ground Up: Mothers, Teachers, Schooling”
\n“Transmission of Literary Cultures”
\n<\/strong>“Experiments in Teaching: Reports from the Classroom”<\/strong>
\n“Books as Teachers”
\n“Students as Teachers, Teachers as Students”
\n“Notes from the Fieldwork”<\/strong>
\n“Insights from Lessons Learned and In Progress: Hindsight and Foresight”<\/strong>
\n“Learning for Life”
\n<\/strong>And more!<\/p>\nSupport and Hospitality<\/h2>\n
Venues<\/h2>\n
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Posters<\/h2>\n
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Save the Date<\/h3>\n\n
Registration<\/h2>\n
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\n\u2014 including for the hybrid portions on two of those days<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nNote: These in-person events will also be accessible online
\nFor online participation see above (Option 1)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nFriday 4 December<\/strong>, 3:00\u20135:00 pm EST (GMT-5)<\/p>\n\n
\nRegistration<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nMonday 7 December<\/strong>, 3:00\u20136:00 pm EST (GMT-5)<\/p>\n
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