Dr Philip Booth
Lecturer - HLSS Foundation Year Programme Leader
My profile
Biography
I am currently working as Programme Leader for the Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences Foundation Year, having recently completed my Leverhulme ECR. My research focuses in the history of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, as well as the history of pilgrimage and tourism and I teach mainly on topics related to Medieval history. I joined MMU in 2019 after working at Lancaster University, the University of Birmingham, and Nottingham Trent University.
When I’m not reading about the latest pilgrimage trends, I like taking my kids out exploring the wilds of Lancashire and Cumbria, watching Derbyshire CCC, following the exploits of Derby County in League One, and indulging in playing 40K and D&D.
Interests and expertise
My research centres around the history of pilgrimage to the Holy Land and thus brings together interests in the history of medieval travel (to the Holy Land and beyond) and the history of pilgrimage more generally (including contemporary expressions).
More generally, I’m interested in the how expressions of pilgrimage have changed over time and space and how these forms of religious travel can create opportunities for cultural interaction and exchange, particularly between groups coming from diverse religious traditions.
My current work includes: a monograph on and new editon of the Holy Land pilgrimage of Thietmar (1217-1218); research into contemporary Mormon pilgrimage to the Holy Land; Thomas Cook’s Palestine tours as pilgrimage; as well as developing funding bids for a project, alongside Dr Kathryn Hurlock (MMU) and Dr Anne Bailey (Oxford), for a project which will explore links between contemporary walking pilgrimages and medieval forms of pilgrim movement and travel.
Teaching
As well as working as programme leaders, this year I’ll be teaching on different parts of the HLSS Foundation Year course including Academic Practices 1 and 2. I’m also teaching on the Medieval L6 unit War of the Roses and unit lead on the L5 unit Pilgrimages and Shrines in Medieval Europe (not running 23/24).
I’m happy to supervise dissertation students on a range of topics throughout the medieval to modern period on all aspects of medieval history, or the on history of travel and or religion.
Research outputs
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Books (authored/edited/special issues)
Bauer, M., Booth, P., Fischer, S. (2023) To Jerusalem and Beyond Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Latin Travel Literature, C.1200-1500.
Booth, P., Tingle, E. (2021) Introduction: Dying, Death, and Commemoration, 1350-1700.
Booth, P., Tingle, E. (2020) A Companion to Death, Burial, and Remembrance in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe C. 1300-1700.
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Chapters in books
Booth, P. (2023) 'Beyond Turner: anthropological approaches and medieval pilgrimage texts.' In Bauer, M., Booth, P., Fischer, S. (ed.) To Jerusalem and Beyond: interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Latin travel literature, C.1200-1500. Heidelberg, Germany: Heidelberg University Publishing, pp. 161-188.
Booth, P. (2019) 'Seeing the Saviour in the Mind’s Eye: Burchard of Mount Sion’s Physical and Spiritual Travels to the Holy Land, c.1274-1284.' Soul Travel Spiritual Journeys in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe. Peter Lang Limited, International Academic Publishers,
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Journal articles
Booth, P. (2021) 'The Dominican Educational and Social Contexts of Riccoldo of Monte Croce’s Pilgrimage Writings.' Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 51(1)