Dr Amanda McVitty , , , PhD

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts in History - Massey University (2008)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), First Class Honours in History - Massey University (2011)
• Master of Arts with Distinction in History - Massey University (2012)
• Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2016)

Certifications and Registrations

• Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Prizes and Awards

• Philippa Maddern ECR Publication Prize. Awarded to an Early Career Researcher for the best article-length scholarly work in any discipline/topic falling within the scope of medieval and early modern studies. - ANZAMEMS (Australian and New Zealand Association of Medieval and Early Modern Studies) (2021)
• Leonard Boyle Dissertation Prize, 2017. Awarded annually to an outstanding dissertation in any field of medieval studies. - Canadian Society of Medievalists (2016)
• George Yule Essay Prize, 2015 The George Yule Essay Prize is awarded biennially, at each ANZAMEMS conference. - Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies (ANZAMEMS) (2014)

Research Interests

Medieval history

English legal history

Gender history

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
British History (210305): European History (excl. British, Classical Greek and Roman) (210307):
Gender Specific Studies (169901):
Historical Studies (210300): History And Archaeology (210000):
Law And Legal Studies (180000):
Other Studies in Human Society (169900): Studies In Human Society (160000)

Graduate Supervision Statement

I welcome proposals for postgraduate research in medieval or early modern history, with a focus on Britain and western Europe. My specialities are gender history (including kingship and queenship); English and French legal history; and political history including popular politics, rebellion and dissent.

I aim to develop a coaching relationship with postgraduate students and to guide their development into confident independent researchers. My goal is to help students recognise and achieve their intellectual potential by helping them plan and carry out well-designed research, and by testing and strengthening their capacities for critical thinking and the deep analysis of historical evidence. Central to my supervision style is guiding students to create a sustainable writing practice that enables them to progress against clear expectations and agreed milestones but with the flexibility to adapt to changed circumstances. I encourage students to build their own academic networks by attending and presenting at conferences and seminars, becoming involved in relevant scholarly associations, and attending postgraduate training and other events.

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

• 2024 - Amelia Barker - Doctor of Philosophy
  Laywomen and Authority in France during the Great Western Schism, 1378 to 1417.

Media

• 29 Sep 2020 - Magazine, Online
  Medieval Herald: Interview with E. Amanda McVitty
  Amanda McVitty answers questions about her new book Treason and Masculinity in Medieval England, which explores the relationships between gender, law and politics in later medieval England. Dr McVitty
• 12 Oct 2022 - Online
  Treason and Masculinity in Medieval England
  Author interview with the New Books Network podcast
• 08 Mar 2021 - Online
  Proofed: A Boydell & Brewer Blog
  Featured post on Treason and Masculinity in Medieval England (Boydell Press, 2020). Dr McVitty explains how her book presents a new interpretation of treason, not only as a legal construct, a politica
• 05 Nov 2022 - Magazine
  Warrior Queens of the Middle Ages
  Medieval women were far from historical bit players and a captivating new history puts them in their proper place. Extended review of Femina by Janina Ramirez. The New Zealand Listener is a weekly New
• 04 Mar 2021 - Online
  BBC HistoryExtra
  Interview: Dr Amanda McVitty, author of the new book Treason and Masculinity in Medieval England (Boydell Press, 2020), explains what treason meant in the Middle Ages. She explains how the crime was t