Hosted by Western Michigan University's Medieval Institute, the International Congress on Medieval Studies is an annual gathering of around 3,000 scholars interested in medieval studies. The congress features 550-575 sessions of papers, panel discussions, roundtables, workshops and performances. There are also some 100 business meetings and receptions sponsored by learned societies, associations and institutions. The exhibits hall boasts nearly 70 exhibitors, including publishers, used book dealers and purveyors of medieval sundries. The congress lasts three and a half days, extending from Thursday morning, with sessions beginning at 10 a.m., until Sunday at noon.

The 56th International Congress on Medieval Studies will take place virtually.  All events—live on the internet, recorded, and pre-recorded—as well as the virtual Exhibits Hall and the virtual talent show are available exclusively to those registered for the Congress. Online registration opens in March and extends until Saturday, May 29.

The live events of the Congress take place Monday–Saturday, May 10–15, with 90-minute sessions, gatherings, and business meetings beginning each day at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. EDT (except Saturday, when events commence for the day at 11:00 a.m.). These will be on the Zoom platform.

Recorded live-on-the-internet sessions and meetings are available to registrants for the following two weeks. Three pre-recorded lectures—two plenary lectures and the Reception of the Classics in the Middles Ages Lecture—will be available throughout the three weeks.

The meeting site opens to registrants on May 7. The library of more than 200 live-recorded sessions will be available to registrants Monday through Saturday, May 17–29.