Christina Wade
I completed my PhD entitled 'Gendered Symbolism as a Medium to Negotiate Power as Evidenced in the Furnished Viking Burials of Ireland' at TCD in 2017. Since finishing this project I have launched Braciatrix.com, a project devoted to an academic, but accessible to the general public, study of beer and brewing history with an aim to create a series of monographs.
My central research interests are gender, particularly how it relates to power, burial practices, the history and archaeology of beer and brewing, and more generally, Viking and medieval history.
The core objective of my PhD thesis was the examination of how gendered constructs and their negotiation in grave goods were modified as a result of cultural contact and amalgamation in Viking Ireland. Progressing from the perceived universal binary of man/woman, my thesis engaged with gender, specifically utilizing masculinities and femininities to contribute to the better understanding of the multitude of nuances in the myriad of constructions and hierarchies of gender. It examined the archaeological sources to ascertain the influence conquest and settlement had on societal expressions of gender and patriarchy in Viking furnished burial practice. In particular, this study analyzed the semiotics of violence and magic; specifically considering how these symbols might have been represented in ‘gendered’ expressions within burial. Essentially, my study examined how gender was used as a medium to negotiate power and societal dominance as evidenced in funerary materials.
In addition to my thesis work, I have spent the last few years extensively researching and writing about beer and brewing history. Initially I was writing for publications like Beoir Magazine, and TheTaste.ie, where I currently write a monthly column. However, in May I embarked on my own project, Braciatrix.com. Like its name suggests, Braciatrix is particularly interested in the contributions of women to beer and brewing history. Inspired by the many amazing women of the modern industry, I decided to embark on a project detailing the history of female brewers, consumers, and sellers of beer. Weaving together the stories of real people with the literary tales and mythological figures, the central aim of Braciatrix is illuminate the pivotal role of women to the story of beer.
I have worked on multiple digital humanities projects, including The Battle of Clontarf website, which was an EU Structural Funds Project, as well as working on two Wikipedia Edit-A Thons. I have also co-written a chapter with the Battle of Clontarf team of historians about our foray into creating content for websites.
Supervisors: Prof. Terry Barry
My central research interests are gender, particularly how it relates to power, burial practices, the history and archaeology of beer and brewing, and more generally, Viking and medieval history.
The core objective of my PhD thesis was the examination of how gendered constructs and their negotiation in grave goods were modified as a result of cultural contact and amalgamation in Viking Ireland. Progressing from the perceived universal binary of man/woman, my thesis engaged with gender, specifically utilizing masculinities and femininities to contribute to the better understanding of the multitude of nuances in the myriad of constructions and hierarchies of gender. It examined the archaeological sources to ascertain the influence conquest and settlement had on societal expressions of gender and patriarchy in Viking furnished burial practice. In particular, this study analyzed the semiotics of violence and magic; specifically considering how these symbols might have been represented in ‘gendered’ expressions within burial. Essentially, my study examined how gender was used as a medium to negotiate power and societal dominance as evidenced in funerary materials.
In addition to my thesis work, I have spent the last few years extensively researching and writing about beer and brewing history. Initially I was writing for publications like Beoir Magazine, and TheTaste.ie, where I currently write a monthly column. However, in May I embarked on my own project, Braciatrix.com. Like its name suggests, Braciatrix is particularly interested in the contributions of women to beer and brewing history. Inspired by the many amazing women of the modern industry, I decided to embark on a project detailing the history of female brewers, consumers, and sellers of beer. Weaving together the stories of real people with the literary tales and mythological figures, the central aim of Braciatrix is illuminate the pivotal role of women to the story of beer.
I have worked on multiple digital humanities projects, including The Battle of Clontarf website, which was an EU Structural Funds Project, as well as working on two Wikipedia Edit-A Thons. I have also co-written a chapter with the Battle of Clontarf team of historians about our foray into creating content for websites.
Supervisors: Prof. Terry Barry
less
InterestsView All (42)
Uploads
Digital Humanities Projects and Publications by Christina Wade
Like its name suggests, Braciatrix is particularly interested in the contributions of women to beer and brewing history. Inspired by the many amazing women of the modern industry, I decided to embark on a project detailing the history of female brewers, consumers, and sellers of beer. Weaving together the stories of real people with the literary tales and mythological figures, the central aim of Braciatrix is illuminate the pivotal role of women to the story of beer.
In 2016 I decided begin a personal exploration of women and brewing history. As I began searching for sources, it became quickly evident that there is a dearth of information available to the general public. Importantly, as an academic, I found it to be an understudied area, particularly outside of England, amongst my colleagues.
In that light, this project was born.
Posts on Braciatrix will run the gamut from things like original research conducted on contemporary sources in Ireland to historical accounts from around Europe to posts about medieval breweries as I travel. As the modern beer industry in the last several decades has seen a surge of female brewers, bloggers and consumers, I also feel this is an important element to include. From medieval to modern and commoner to queen, the end result will hopefully be a series of books detailing women and beer throughout history.
As I am currently based in Ireland and have access to the crucial primary sources, I am also particularly interested in women and beer from the Irish perspective. From scouring the archives and pouring over chancery rolls, I am compiling and analyzing the medieval, early modern, and modern sources.
Co-designer and content provider for the 1014 Battle of Clontarf Website exploring the history, context and legacy of Ireland’s most famous medieval battle.
Print Publications by Christina Wade
Conference Papers by Christina Wade
Talks by Christina Wade
Public Engagement by Christina Wade
Like its name suggests, Braciatrix is particularly interested in the contributions of women to beer and brewing history. Inspired by the many amazing women of the modern industry, I decided to embark on a project detailing the history of female brewers, consumers, and sellers of beer. Weaving together the stories of real people with the literary tales and mythological figures, the central aim of Braciatrix is illuminate the pivotal role of women to the story of beer.
In 2016 I decided begin a personal exploration of women and brewing history. As I began searching for sources, it became quickly evident that there is a dearth of information available to the general public. Importantly, as an academic, I found it to be an understudied area, particularly outside of England, amongst my colleagues.
In that light, this project was born.
Posts on Braciatrix will run the gamut from things like original research conducted on contemporary sources in Ireland to historical accounts from around Europe to posts about medieval breweries as I travel. As the modern beer industry in the last several decades has seen a surge of female brewers, bloggers and consumers, I also feel this is an important element to include. From medieval to modern and commoner to queen, the end result will hopefully be a series of books detailing women and beer throughout history.
As I am currently based in Ireland and have access to the crucial primary sources, I am also particularly interested in women and beer from the Irish perspective. From scouring the archives and pouring over chancery rolls, I am compiling and analyzing the medieval, early modern, and modern sources.
Co-designer and content provider for the 1014 Battle of Clontarf Website exploring the history, context and legacy of Ireland’s most famous medieval battle.