Dr. Carolyn Muessig

Biography

Carolyn Muessig is a distinguished academic serving as the Chair of Christian Thought in the Department of Classics and Religion at the University of Calgary. With over 25 years of experience, she taught at the University of Bristol, UK, where she held several leadership roles including Head of the Department of Religion and Theology and Director of the University's Institute of Research in the Humanities and Arts. Muessig is recognized for her editorial contributions, notably co-editing the journal Medieval Sermon Studies and the Medieval Religion Culture series with Routledge. In 2018, she co-curated a public exhibition at Downside Abbey, focusing on medieval treasures. Her research specializes in medieval religious culture and the history of preaching in Western Europe, with particular emphasis on female preaching, popular devotion, and the intersection of monastic and mendicant traditions. She is actively involved in the academic community as the Vice President of the International Medieval Sermon Studies Society and is currently working on projects examining the history of premodern female preaching. Muessig has authored various works and has participated in numerous podcasts discussing medieval mysticism, including significant figures such as Julian Norwich and Catherine of Siena. She is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of scholars through her teaching and supervision of graduate research.

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