UZH and Charles University Collaborate on 3rd Summer School in the History of English
From 30 June to 4 July 2025, the University of Zurich (UZH) and Charles University in Prague jointly organized the 3rd Summer School in the History of the English Language. The week-long program brought together scholars and students from across Europe for an intensive academic exchange at the historic Klementinum, home to the National Library of the Czech Republic.
The summer school offered a rich program of introductory and advanced lectures and seminars covering more than a millenium of English linguistic history, from pre-Old English runic inscriptions to 19th-century court records. Organised jointly by the University of Zurich and Charles University, the event brought together participants from institutions including Cardiff University, University of Ljubljana, University of Łódź, LMU Munich, University of Oslo, University of Oxford, University of St Andrews, Tallinn University, and Trinity College Dublin.
UZH’s contribution was led by Professor Olga Timofeeva, who delivered an introduction and seminar on Middle English. “This summer school provides a rare and invaluable opportunity to connect with colleagues from diverse linguistic traditions,” she noted. “The exchange of ideas across cultures and academic backgrounds greatly enriches our field.” Postdoctoral researcher Johanna Vogelsanger, who delivered seminars on A Linguistic Atlas of Early Middle English(LAEME), added: “Working closely with both early-career scholars and established researchers fosters fresh perspectives and ensures that historical linguistics continues to thrive as a discipline.”
Alongside the academic programme, participants experienced Prague’s rich cultural heritage, adding a valuable dimension to the summer school by fostering informal exchanges and strengthening international ties.
The event was supported by UZH’s Global Funding Scheme (GFS), which provides competitive grants to UZH researchers, staff, and early-career scholars for initiatives that advance UZH’s global engagement. The next GFS call will open in 2026, inviting proposals that develop or deepen international partnerships.
The next edition of the summer school will take place in Cardiff in [month, year], with a future gathering planned for Zurich. This is an opportunity for UZH to welcome this global network of historical linguists to its own campus.