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Grad student wins top dissertation prize
Scanlan-Teller’s dissertation, entitled “Bishops, Abbots, Kings and Crosses: 12th-Century Irish High Crosses in Munster as Monuments of Ecclesiastical Reform,” blends art history, secular history and church history. Scanlan-Teller analyzed materials from Ireland, England and continental Europe to craft an argument about 12th-Century high crosses in Ireland. Her research connects four high crosses to local history surrounding their sites and demonstrates how the crosses relate to Ireland’s ecclesiastical reform. The judges called Scanlan-Teller’s dissertation a significant contribution to discourse about 12th-Century Irish politics, art and ecclesiastical developments. In making the award they said, “Her thesis is impeccably researched, convincingly argued and elegantly written, showing the greatest professional finish. Her careful presentation of the difficult subject matter transforms a technical topic into a graceful work of scholarship that will appeal to and enlighten any reader interested in Irish Studies.’’ Maria Tymoczko, the University of Massachusetts Amherst professor of comparative literature who headed the committee, said, “The committee truly enjoyed reading her dissertation, and I learned a great deal from it.” Lawrence Nees, professor of art history and Scanlan-Teller’s academic adviser, said the judges’ comments regarding Scanlan-Teller’s elegant writing are high praise because the conference includes many English and history professionals who pay great attention to prose. Nees pointed out that most dissertations are never published, and that Scanlan-Teller already had a publishing contract before her formal commencement date. The American Conference for Irish Studies is a multidisciplinary scholarly organization founded in 1960, with more than 1,500 members worldwide. The dissertation prize includes a monetary award of $500. Article by Kathy Canavan To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |
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