Introducing Dr. Sophie Hartles

The college community was delighted to hear the wonderful news from former student Sophie Hartles on achieving her Ph.D.

A little bit about the Ph.D

I started my PhD in Renaissance Studies in 2020 at the University of Warwick. As part of this, I designed my own research project titled ‘Laughter and Violence in the Italian Renaissance: The Physical and Emotional abuse of the beffa’ and secured a competitive fully funded 4-year scholarship from Midlands4Cities to support this research. My project investigated the overlap between violence and humour in sixteenth-century Venice and Bologna through a study of the beffa, a particularly cruel type of joke. This research follows in the path of accomplished social and cultural historians, asking why did sixteenth-century Italians laugh at things we find so perplexing or even repulsive, and what does this tell us about their culture?

To successfully complete this research, I spent six months in Italy using the Venetian and Bolognese state archives and libraries, where I consulted over 170 folders of archival records as well as engaging with rare books, manuscripts, and printed comic literature. This required Italian language, Latin language, and Palaeography skills, and it was undertaken during the challenging times of the Covid pandemic.

During the PhD, I had the opportunity to present my research at renowned international conferences held in the UK, Italy, US, and Canada, where I was able to network with other Renaissance scholars and gain valuable feedback. A particular highlight was the research fellowship I was awarded to study in the Newberry Library in Chicago for a month in March 2024.

Why did you choose the area of intensive study?

I always enjoyed the subject of History at school but my passion for Italian History began in Year 7 when I travelled to Italy with the Archbishop Beck College Concert Band where we performed at a number of venues in Lake Garda. I fell in love with Italy and from then on, I read about Italian culture and history in my spare time. This prompted me to apply to the University of Warwick who offered a bachelor’s degree in Italian Renaissance History, which I thoroughly enjoyed and from then on, I was fascinated to learn more about cultural life and social interactions in Renaissance Italy. I went on to do a Master’s in History at the University of Manchester where I wrote a short thesis on Renaissance humour and the beffa, which then led to my PhD project.

Where did you study for the Ph.D?

I studied at the Centre for the Study of the Renaissance at University of Warwick, in Coventry.

What is next for you?

I am currently applying for visiting fellowships to travel to international archives and collect research for a future post-doctoral project. I have so far submitted applications to study in Texas and Venice. This would allow me to collect new research and apply for post-doctoral positions at UK Universities, where I will research a new project but also lecture on Renaissance History. Another goal is to secure a book contract in the next year and publish my research as a book. It’s a very competitive career but with lots of exciting opportunities to travel and publish, so I am looking forward to my next steps.

The photos show Sophie conducting research in Italy, presenting a paper in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in Chicago during my research fellowship.

Coda

Headteacher, Paul Stirling said “Well done Sophie, thank you so much for sharing your experience, journey and passion. We send our very best wishes to you in the years ahead”.