Timothy Graham, director for the Institute of Medieval Studies, specializes in medieval manuscripts. Graham has taught at Cambridge University, published several books and holds summer seminars for the institute.
Daily Lobo: What are you researching or working on?
Timothy Graham: Two things right now, because administrative work restricts me to a small window. Ann Van Arsdall Ph.D, a retired Sandia Tech writer, and I are working together to edit a volume that honors editing essays from across North America. We hope to get it published within two or three years.
DL: What is the most interesting aspect of your research?
TG: It’s detective work in researching manuscripts, studying to understand the notes they made — they’re difficult to read and interpret. You can’t know what was on their mind. It’s satisfying to study them. It’s like finding the final piece in the puzzle, and it’s a good feeling.
DL: How does the Institute for Medieval Studies relate to New Mexico?
TG: It doesn’t seem to be obvious, but the popularity of lecture series and popularity of lectures around town, especially Albuquerque Oasis groups. They’re very interested in the culture of the middle ages, and I’m not sure why. It could be the difference from their own culture, or they want to know what makes another culture tick. Lectures have been given on the similarities between Native Americans and Europeans in the middle ages, such as traditions, religion, legal, domestic trade and food.
DL: Do you have any advice for those who would like to pursue the field?
TG: Manuscript studies is difficult to train in North America. Few universities offer courses in the field. I have tried to bring it to UNM, especially for grad students. I have tried to establish UNM as a major point for field of study. We have an intensive four-week semester in manuscript studies. People come from Arizona, Texas, Michigan, Tennessee and Oregon.
