Since 2003, the IEHCA’s summer university has served as a key platform for the discussion of new research in Food & Drink Studies. The 2017 issue will survey the field with questions like:

What are the major interests and issues currently explored in anthropology, classics, gastronomy, history, literary studies, sociology and other disciplines? Which general trends have emerged over recent years? How can our understanding be further advanced in the future?

Leading specialists from different backgrounds will tackle these issues with reference to their current research and graduate students are invited to present their ongoing projects to an international audience in a stimulating and supportive atmosphere. As on previous occasions, academic debates at our attractive venue overlooking Tours city centre will be complemented by informal exchange with other specialists, opportunities for personal study (not least in the rich holdings of the IEHCA library), engagement with regional culinary cultures and field trips to congenial sites in the area.

We welcome proposals (of max. 2-3 pages) for 15 minute papers from masters / doctoral researchers on any aspect of food / drink studies from Antiquity to the present. All discussions are conducted in English and no knowledge of other languages is necessary. Participants wishing to hold their talks in French, German or Italian may do so, but will be expected to provide extended abstracts in English.

Proceedings are co-directed by an experienced team consisting of :
- Isabelle Bianquis, Professor of Anthropology (Université François-Rabelais, Tours/France)
- Antonella Campanini, Instructor in Medieval History (University of Gastronomic Sciences, Bra-Pollenzo/Italy)
- Beat Kümin, Professor of Early Modern History (University of Warwick/United Kingdom).

Thanks to the generous support of the IEHCA, we can offer a number of bursaries covering the full registration fee (400€). Selection will be based on overall academic quality/promise of submissions received before the closing date. Please indicate on the application form whether you would like to be considered for such a bursary.

For full registration details, an application form (to be submitted by 16 June) and further information please visit the summer university website.