Victoria Leonard
LeonardVA1@cardiff.ac.uk
14.07.2015
Report for the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies
In January 2015 I applied for funding from the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies (Donald
Atkinson Fund) to attend the International Medieval Congress at Leeds University, 6-9 July 2015, and
to deliver a paper. I had been invited by Dr Chris Doyle (Department of History, National University
of Ireland, Galway) to speak as part of a panel entitled ‘Damnatio Memoriae: Reform, Renewal, and
Rhetorics of Legitimation in Late Antiquity’. Other speakers included Dr Richard Flower (University of
Exeter), Dr Adrastos Omissi (University of Oxford) and Chris Doyle, with Professor Mark Humphries
as Chair.
The financial support of £669 I received from the Donald Atkinson fund enabled me to accept the
invitation to speak at the International Medieval Congress, which I would otherwise not have been
able to do. I am particularly grateful to the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies for allocating
money to cover my childcare costs. The funding I was awarded enabled me to attend the full
duration of the conference for four days, covering overnight accommodation in Leeds, travel and
childcare, as well as the registration fee for the conference.
My paper, entitled ‘An Accidental damnatio memoriae? Concealed Imperial Standards from FourthCentury Rome’, was delivered on Tuesday 7th July. The paper was well-received, with positive and
interested questions in response. Numerous academics approached me afterwards to discuss my
research. The Conference itself was more widely beneficial as an excellent networking opportunity
and the large number of papers presented by academics from various locations, particularly Europe.
I intend to publish my research presented as an article in a suitable peer-reviewed journal. The
number of photographs I need to seek permission to publish as part of my article may delay this
process, but I hope not excessively.
Financial Statement:
Money awarded - £669
Registration Fee - 4 days - £119
Accommodation - 4 nights - £47 per night - £188
Travel - Return train ticket from Cardiff - £146
Taxis - £24
Childcare – 4 days – £200
Total: £677