Dr. Robert Portass

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Robert Portass is an Assistant Professor at the University of Cambridge, specializing in Early Medieval History. His research focuses on the social and economic history of the Iberian Peninsula from approximately 400 to 1100 AD. He situates his teaching and research within the broader context of the Eurasian world, addressing fundamental questions related to the peasant economy, including aspects such as land markets, supply and demand, rent and tax, credit and debt, specialized production, and capital investment. His academic interests extend to socio-economic history in early medieval Europe, particularly from 600 to 1000 AD, with themes including markets and transactions in trade, studies of peasant and rural societies, the interplay of tax, rent, and labor, and global history concerning non-elite communities. Portass' teaching includes courses on historical thinking and ancient and medieval state societies. He is involved in editorial roles, including serving as a Series Editor for the Late Antique Early Medieval Iberia Monograph Series at Amsterdam University Press and being a member of editorial boards for various academic journals and series.

Research Interests

Experience

Lecturer (and Senior Lecturer)

— Present

University of Lincoln • Lincoln

Focused on teaching Medieval History and conducting research on socio-economic history.

Requirements for University of Cambridge

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
UK Bachelor's Degree with good Upper Second Class Honours or international equivalent Background in international relations, politics, law, economics, security or history is a definite asset
Application Checklist
  • Two academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal statement (approx 500 words)
  • Research proposal (1-2 pages/500 words)
  • Application fee (£50)
Specialization Notes

Standard postgraduate requirements for Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) and related humanities departments.