I am the English Subject Lead for the University of Oxford's Astrophoria Foundation Year, and the Stipendiary Lecturer in Old and Middle English at Balliol College for the 2024/5 academic year. For the 2024/25 academic year I am also the co-Executive Officer of the Society for the Study of Medieval Languages and Literatures (SSMLL). My research interests range around the late medieval period in England, and I am predominantly interested in book culture, religious culture, and craft practices. I am also invested in creative-critical practices, folk horror literature, and university access provision for English and the Humanities. My DPhil, 'References to the Material Text in Late Medieval English Religious Literature' was funded by an AHRC-DTP, supervised by Professor Daniel Wakelin, and awarded in 2022.
In 2021, I co-organised the online conference English Perceptions of the Material Text: 1300-1600 with Dr J. R. Mattison. I have published on metaphors of textual materiality in Middle English sermons, teaching Chaucer to A-Level students, and perceptions of the material text as evidenced in late medieval book-craft recipes for the up-coming volume Recipes and Book Culture in England, 1350–1600, edited by Carrie Griffin and Hannah Ryley. My first trade-press book, Book Curses, a short anthology of book curses from throughout literary history, will be published in Autumn 2024 by Bodleian Publishing.
I am particularly interested in projects which incorporate public engagement as a key component. I have worked on several projects like this, including:
I passed the Teaching Recognition Scheme to become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2024.
I have taught across Oxford, and at other institutions, on the following papers/ units:
- Prelims Paper 1a (Introduction to English Language)
- Prelims Paper 2: Literature in English 650-1100)
- FHS Paper 2 (Course II, Paper 3): Literature in English 1350-1550
- FHS Course II, Paper 1: Literature in English, 650-1100
- FHS Course II, Paper 2: Medieval English and Related Literatures, 1066–1550
- Course I, Paper 6: Texts in Motion (Graduate Teaching Assistant)
- Astrophoria Foundation Year, HUMS 1 (Fame); English: Methods; Option Paper: The Body and the Book
- EN1001, Medieval Literature (Royal Holloway, University of London)
I have supervised dissertations on, and am available for undergraduate dissertation supervision, on the following subjects:
- Late medieval drama
- Medievalisms and folk horror
- Medieval textual materiality; early print culture and materiality
- Pragmatic/ instructional medieval literature
- Late medieval lyrics/ affectivity
- Medieval craft practices and literature
I was the English Faculty's Teaching and Careers Officer for the year 2019/2020.
I have significant experience in working in university access provision both at a senior administrative and delivery level. I am the English Subject Lead for the Astrophoria Foundation Year, and previously worked as the St John's College Inspire 9, 10 & 11 Programme Lead. I have devised and led sessions for exhibitions and study days at Oxford and Cambridge.
In my spare time I enjoy making medieval and folk-horror inspired linocut prints, and I often document my process on Twitter.
I would be delighted to hear from you if you would be interested in teaching, supervision, or collaboration. Please do contact me at eleanor.baker@conted.ox.ac.uk
You can find me on Twitter @EleanorMayBaker.
