Christendom College history professor Dr. Alessia Berardi has been awarded the Leonard Boyle Dissertation Prize for Medieval Studies by the Canadian Society of Medievalists. Her dissertation, titled “Vita, scientia, doctrina: Stephen Langton and the biblical model of the ‘good master’ in the twelfth-century schools,” earned her the impressive honors, with the Canadian Society of Medievalists calling it a “remarkable contribution” and a testament to Berardi’s high level of knowledge and skills in medieval studies.
Berardi joined Christendom’s faculty in 2021, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching. She holds a B.A. and M.A. from Università degli Studi di Milano and completed her doctoral studies at the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, with her award-winning dissertation serving as the capstone of her doctoral studies.
In her dissertation, Berardi argues “for the existence of a ‘magisterial model’ for twelfth-century masters of theology based on the image of the ‘good bishop’ provided by Gregory the Great in his Pastoral Rule.” Making a distinction between masters of the arts and masters of theology, Berardi analyzes, and provides transcriptions of, previously unpublished material by Stephen Langton, further situating him in historical context and noting the relationship between his views and those of preceding masters.
The Canadian Society of Medievalists, established in 1993, promotes the study of the Middle Ages in Canada and beyond. The Leonard Boyle Dissertation Prize is one of the society’s initiatives to recognize and encourage excellence in medieval scholarship, with Berardi’s dissertation highlighting the high standards the society seeks out each year.
The society was effusive in its praise for Berardi’s dissertation, calling it a “tour de force in how meticulously transcribed and deciphered medieval manuscript material can provide new knowledge of a field.”
“Indeed, this thesis is ‘of significant importance’ for our understanding of the creation of the university in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries,” said the society.
Berardi’s work in medieval studies has been supported by numerous grants and fellowships, with this recognition by the Canadian Society of Medievalists serving as a testament to her dedication and scholarly contributions.
For more information about the Leonard Boyle Dissertation Prize and the Canadian Society of Medievalists, visit the Canadian Society of Medievalists. To learn more about Dr. Alessia Berardi and her work at Christendom College, visit here.