Prato Consortium
The CMRS is the hub of the Prato Consortium for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. This Consortium was established in 2009 through a series of memoranda of understanding with external partners. These include the universities of Warwick, Toronto, London (Queen Mary College), Edinburgh, Durham, and Arizona, along with the State Archives of Prato. The PCMRS aims to facilitate the pooling of expertise and skills to enhance teaching and research in the field.
PCMRS Postgraduates
The Prato Consortium Postgraduate Roundtable is an annual event held at Monash University’s Prato Centre in mid-December. Held in a congenial and friendly setting, the Roundtable allows postgraduates from member institutions, as well as others, to showcase their research in an informal, yet highly expert environment.
First held in 2012 and scheduled to conincide with the yearly Consortium meeting, the primary mission of the Roundtable is to give developing scholars the chance to present emerging research to the gathered Consortium academics, gaining valuable feedback and honing their presenting skills in the process. It is also intended that the Roundtable will induct postgraduates into the dynamic and highly respected Consortium community, introducing them to leading scholars from around the world. Papers and sessions are conducted in accordance with the conventional format, and since 2012 over twenty young scholars from across Europe, North America, and Australia have participated in the Roundtable. To round out the program the Consortium has traditionally invited a member academic to run a seminar with the student cohort, a session foucsed on issues relevant to them as they look beyond postgraduate study towards postdoctoral work.
The PCMRS also encourages student networking. Activities take place at major international conferences, facilitating collaboration and socialising among PCMRS postgraduates.