VMNS Graduate Students 2021-2023

Medieval Icelandic Studies & Viking and Medival Norse Studies orientation meeting August 27, 2021. — See also our graduate students in Medieval Icelandic Studies.

	Adèle Guillemette Miqueau (France)  Scandinavian Languages, Literature and Culture, BA, University of Strasbourg, 2021 I’m very much into history and linguistics, especially after studying Scandinavian culture during my bachelor. I wish to work either in culture or education, either way I want to transmit knowledge to a broad audience.
	Alexandria Faye Skinner (US)  Sociology/Anthropology, Geology, BA, Earlham College, 2021 In my undergraduate work, I focused on the intersections of archaeology, geology, and museum management. I hope to pursue avenues of inquiry on how landscape and collective memory affect how stories are told.
	Alicia Littleford (Canada)  Museum and Cultural Management, Postgraduate Certificate, Centennial College, 2019 History, Specialized Honours BA, York University, 2017 As an undergraduate, my interests revolved primarily around history, more specifically on ancient civilizations and their religious practices. I have also studied museum and cultural management, growing my desire to one day pursue a career within collections and research. Through this program I hope to expand my knowledge of the Norse world with the same scope of religion in mind, both within medieval Iceland as well as how their mythology and folklore spread with them through their exploration. I as well hope to broaden my understanding of runology and witchcraft.
	David McHugh (Canada)  History, BA, University of Calgary, 2020 As an undergraduate student in History, I focused my studies primarily on the cultural understanding of death in Western Europe, and the Viking presence in Anglo-Saxon England. Over the course of this programme, I hope to further explore the influence of Norse beliefs on their death culture during the Viking Age.
	Elise Rose Bouillet (France)  Nordic Studies, Licence, University of Caen, 2021 As an undergraduate, I studied Nordic languages, literature, and civilization with an emphasis on Norwegian and Icelandic. As my main field of interest is ecocriticism, I am looking forward to studying the connection between the Vikings and nature.
	Ellora Nimbkar Rich (US) Linguistics, BA, Swarthmore College, 2020 My background is in historical linguistics, so I am excited to study language change and the ways Old Norse connects to other Indo-European languages I have studied. I am also interested in the history of writing systems, paleography, and runology.
	Erik Nilsson (Sweden) History, BA, Lund University, 2021 My undergraduate had quite a wide focus, and in addition to history I took courses in the social sciences and archaeology. My bachelor thesis was on Gallo-Roman identity and its relational aspects. In the future, I am looking forward to exploring different themes and fields connected to Norse history and archaeology.
	Estefanía Arévalo (Chile) History, Licenciate, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2020 During undergraduate, I focused primarily in the Classical and Medieval period. My approach to the Medieval Norse world has been mostly self-taught, so I look forward to learning more about literature and archaeology. I’m interested in researching the culture surrounding disease and the use of drugs and medicine.
	Evelyn Mccune (US) Languages and Cultures, BA, Texas Tech University, 2021 As an undergrad, I studied the world of classical cultures and minored in both Latin and religious philosophy. I am excited to analyze the Old Norse language and mythology as well as compare them to my previous studies.
	Freyja Elizabeth Petersen (US) History, BA, North Carolina State University, 2020 During my undergraduate education, my studies focused on the lives of women during the Middle Ages and Early Modern Era. I look forward to exploring these topics in the context of medieval northern Europe, in particular studying how women influenced the social and religious spheres.
	Gabriella Renee Rymshaw (US) Art History, BA, Arcadia University, 2019 As an undergraduate, I pursued medieval art history, medieval weaponry, and archival studies. In my thesis, I explored medieval warrior culture as represented in manuscripts and epic poetry. I value the opportunity to grow my archaeological and codicological knowledge at the graduate level.
	Joshua Cardall Burgoyne (US) Russian, BA, University of Utah, 2020 English, BA, University of Utah, 2020 As an undergraduate, I studied English and Russian literature with a particular emphasis on poetry. In addition to learning Old Norse, I aim to continue exploring the poetic arts by delving into Eddic and Skaldic poetry and looking at how myth and narrative are portrayed through various poetic forms.
	Julian Menjivar (US) Medieval Literatures and Cultures, MSc., University of Edinburgh, 2018 English Literature, BA, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2016/li> Throughout my undergraduate, I studied English Literature, developing a passion for Classical, Epic and Medieval Literature. After working with Gender and Medieval Romances and Scottish Mythology in my first master’s program, I am now interested in conducting research with critical theories and Scandinavian Mythology.
	Justine Agathe Apolline Vignolles (France) Scandinavian Languages and Civilization, University of Strasbourg, 2021 In addition to my undergraduate in Scandinavian civilization and language, I come from a historical background. My interests are mainly focused on medieval history, as well as Viking culture and its beliefs. I am first and foremost here because of my passion for pre-Christian folklore, but I look forward to learning about saga literature and old Icelandic with this program.
	Khushaali Shailendra Shukla (India) English, Postgraduate Diploma, Ashoka University, 2021 History, BA (Hons), Ashoka University, 2020 My undergraduate thesis examined literary representations of giants in medieval Europe. Now, I hope to continue exploring the category of the monstrous as it appears in literature from medieval Iceland. I am particularly interested in how the region’s landscape and legal system shaped its storytelling.
	Lotte Lisa Devoldere (Belgium) Historical Linguistics and Literature, MA, Ghent University, 2021 Linguistics and Literature, English & Swedish, BA, Ghent University, 2020 In my previous master’s program, I studied historical linguistics and literature. While here, I want to expand on my knowledge of Old Norse and delve into other subjects like history, archeology, and folklore. These subjects have always fascinated me, so I am very eager to learn more about them.
	Lucia Simova (Slovakia) Medieval Studies, BA, Smith College, 2018 I come from a general medieval studies background with a focus on Old Norse and illuminated manuscripts. In this program, I hope to do further research on the connections between the Norse and Arabic world as well as the influence of Books of Wonders on the Icelandic written tradition.
	Madeleine Louise Steele (England) Creative Writing, MA, Newcastle University, 2016 English Literature with Creative Writing, BA, University of East Anglia, 2015 My background is largely in literature, but history and folklore have always been great interests of mine. An adolescence spent in Sweden intensified my fascination with the North, and I am looking forward to exploring the land of the sagas and how contemporary events and beliefs influenced these stories.
	Malina Ueda (Japan) Literature, BA, Waseda University, 2021 In my undergraduate studies, I focused on Japanese culture in general and folklore, with my thesis comparing the Japanese and Icelandic child ghosts. In my master’s, I am keen on deepening my knowledge of Icelandic folklore and Norse mythology.
	Melanie Joy Anderson (US) Anthropology, BA, University of New Mexico, 2020 My undergraduate degree was focused on archaeology, museum studies, and classical studies, with an emphasis on Ancient Greece. Now, I am looking forward to studying how both magic and mythological creatures are portrayed in Old Norse literature. Additionally, I am interested in researching the relatively archaeologically ‘invisible’ Viking slave market.
	Mikkel Klausen (Canada) Medieval Studies, Greek and Roman Studies, Honours BA, University of Victoria, 2021 During my undergraduate studies, I focused on Viking-Age Scandinavia, particularly the berserkir, and supplemented this with Greek and Roman studies. While I wish to continue with my berserkir research, supported by Old Icelandic, I also want to expand into trade and mercantilism during the Middle Ages.
	Nathan Campbell (England) Archaeology & History, BA, University of Reading, 2021 I have a keen interest in Old Norse culture and archaeology, which prompted me to write my undergraduate dissertation about the archaeological and textual evidence for Old Norse cult temples and practices. I am eager to further explore the dynamic between written depictions and the archaeology of the Viking Age.
	Noah Kip Meseck (US) History, BA, University of Colorado Denver, 2020 History, AA, Arapahoe Community College, 2018 As an undergraduate, I focused on general history studies. I am now excited to focus on Norse history and culture. I am particularly interested in maritime technology, trade and transportation and how early Norse exploration affects the world of today.
	Paige Downey (US) Library and Information Science, MSc., Florida State University, 2017 Anthropology and History, BA, University of South Florida, 2013 I hold bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and history from the University of South Florida where I studied Medieval Western European History and Archaeology. I then attended and archaeological field school on Achill Island, Ireland. After a year off I returned to school to obtain a Master’s of Library and Information Science from Florida State University. I have spent the last several years working in libraries. My interests lie in Medieval Manuscripts, the Irish in Medieval Iceland, and Viking Age Ireland.
	Rebecca Anne Bernstein (US) Romance Linguistics, BA, University of Washington, 2018 I went to the University of Washington where I graduated in 2018 with a BS in Romance Linguistics, a minor in French and extensive coursework in Russian. While French was the main focus of my studies, I also spent one year in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan where I worked with the London School of Languages and Culture teaching English as a Second Language and conducting independent research on case structure and function of the Kyrgyz Language. My interests lie in phonology and syntax, specifically how phonemic changes over time have led Old Norse to become the Scandinavian languages we know today.
	R. Jade Sperr (US) English, Creative Writing, BA, Principia College, 2020 English, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2017 I earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on Creative Writing. In this graduate program, I aim to study the significance stories, especially myth and folklore, have in shaping personal, cultural, and national identity. I’m interested in skalds and the role language plays in preserving and conveying stories.
	Samara Osburn (US) Folklore and Viking Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies BA, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 2021 My background is in Linguistics, Anthropology, and Gender Studies within the realm of Viking Studies, focusing on pop-culture adaptations and translations of saga material. With this program, I hope to expand on my knowledge, leading the way for future translations and comic book adaptations of various sagas!
	Stephen Robert Been (US) History, BA, University of Houston, 2017 Liberal Arts, AA, Houston Community College, 2014 As part of Viking and Medieval Norse Studies at the University of Iceland, I am able to pursue my interest in Scandinavian history, mythology, and literature with greater intensity and focus than during my undergraduate degree in history and anthropology. This includes investigating Viking Age maritime technology, innovation, and naval warfare, the Norse relationship with the Byzantine and Arab worlds, the settlement and exploration of Iceland, Greenland, and North America, as well as Norse Archery in the Viking Age, and its influence on the development of archery in Europe during the Middle Ages.
	Theo Z. Northcraft (US) English, MA, University of Toledo, 2021 English, BA, University of Toledo, 2019 My background is in queer theory and premodern English literature. I am primarily interested in studying transgressive genders and sexualities in Icelandic sagas. I begin my Ph.D. in literature at the University of Toronto in the fall semester of 2022.
	Zachary James Baker (US) English Language & Literature, BA, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, 2019 My undergraduate coursework focused primarily on the history of the English language and literature, and what information a modern audience could glean from historical texts about the subject society’s worldview. As a longtime enthusiast of Norse language and literature, I am excited to formally delve into the social mores and taboos of medieval Iceland as they appear in the sagas and other texts.
	Zachery Tyler Miller (US) English, BA, University of Oregon, 2021 English, AA, Linn-Benton Community College, 20191 As an undergraduate, I studied Old English literature and the history of the Anglo-Saxon people. My time with the Angelþéod has cultivated a deep passion for the Viking Age. I plan to focus my studies on Icelandic folklore and magic.