Introduction

Microhistory.org is run by the Center for Microhistorical Research at the Reykjavik Academy in Iceland. This is a website for the various projects about microhistory, including bibliography on published microhistorical works, studies on memory and postmodernism. This website will also include references to recently published monographs and articles with a short introduction about its context. The plan is to add information on upcoming conferences, seminars and meetings. Scholars who are using microhistory in their research are encouraged to add their names to a list, which will be found on the website, of currently active microhistorians with a reference to their own homepage or information relating to their work. Other information is also welcomed on the website, like course syllabi on microhistory, books or articles which are not to be found in the bibliography, or new material on microhistory which individual scholars wish to share with the rest of the world. The plan is to attempt to define what microhistory really is with an ongoing discussions about the concept. All input is welcomed.

Scholars are encouraged to contact the chair, dr. Sigurdur Gylfi Magnusson sigm@akademia.is (www.akademia.is/sigm), and the co-chair, David Olafsson do32@st-andrews.ac.uk, with any questions relating to the website. We will be developing it for the next few months and all suggestions are not only welcomed, they are strongly encouraged.

The Center for Microhistorical Research

The Center for Microhistorical Research is an independent research institute at the Reykjavik Academy (www.akademia.is). It has been in the forefront of introducing the use of microhistorical methods in Iceland for the last ten years. The Center for Microhistorical Research has focused on independent research, publications and distribution of microhistorical monographs and articles. The focus has been on different kinds of personal sources which have been collected by manuscript departments around the country for the last 150 years. It has also worked to develop a new methodology and conceptual framework for microhistorical research in the future. The Center has set an agenda to be an important link to the outside world of microhistorians. Its stated goal is to become an alternative for scholarly debates, by bringing together microhistorians from all over the world to explore its strengths and weaknesses. At the same time, it will hopefully emerge as a center for international information about research, teaching, and meetings related to microhistory. The Center will run this international database and this website with the goal to provide information for students and scholars alike who want to know more about the practice of microhistory.

The Reykjavik Academy

The Reykjavik Academy is an independent research institute that was established in 1997 by young scholars in the humanities and the social sciences. It is the home of 80 scholars who have received their education from all over the world, mostly in Europe and USA. It is open to scholars from abroad as well as Icelanders who need an office space for their research or writing, either permanently or temporarily. The creative and relaxed atmosphere and companionship with writers, artists and scholars of various disciplines makes the Academy a super place to work. It is an alternative research institute which was formed by well educated scholars who have not secured a permanent job within the more established universities or institutions. It is a model which is likely to work in other countries as well, since the international job market has been facing the same dilemma as the Icelandic one. For more information see www.akademia.is or contact the manager, Vidar Hreinsson for additional references (vidar@akademia.is).