The Mid-America Medieval Association, affectionately known as MAMA, was established in 1977.

Founded by University of Missouri-Kansas City Associate Professor of History Jim Falls and University of Kansas Professors of History Lynn Nelson and Richard “Skip” Kay, the organization strives to enhance medieval studies in the Midwest region through events, membership, and the yearly MAMA Conference.

Call for Papers for The Medieval Out of Time & Place

Members of MAMA hail largely from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska and Iowa. With Kansas City as the geographical center of the membership base, it has become the group’s nexus and the host city for the annual convention, held at UMKC every other year. In alternate years, the annual meetings take place at one of the universities in the MAMA region. The host institution will also provide the MAMA President for that year.

The Conference, which now usually falls on a Saturday end-of-September/beginning-of-October, includes a plenary address by a nationally-known medievalist and a presentation of papers on any medieval topic. Of the 30+ papers typically presented, the Jim Falls Paper Prize is awarded to the best graduate student paper.

With an average attendance of 80-100 people, the conference includes papers from academics presenting their latest research, and encourages M.A. and Ph.D. students to deliver their research as well.

A list of past plenary speakers and programs may be found at the MAMA Conference Archive

Membership in MAMA will keep you up-to-date on upcoming events and conference plans.

There are no annual dues. A minimal registration fee covers the conference expenses, with a little help from the host institution.

You can request to join the MAMA email list by:

Email: MAMA@umkc.edu

Mail:

Mid-America Medieval Association
203 Cockefair Hall
5121 Rockhill Rd
Kansas City, MO 64110

Fax: (816) 235-5723