Call for Papers for the First International Conference of the Medieval Caucasus Network, 'Studying Non-Elites in the Medieval Caucasus'. Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Brussels, Belgium, on March 13th-14th 2026. This conference aims to present new, comparative and connective approaches to the study of non-elite groups in the medieval Caucasus, including but not limited to: - Peasants and non-elite pastoralists - Enslaved people - Non-elite women - Religious minorities. We invite papers on any of the above groups living in the Caucasus in the medieval period. Papers may include theoretical, methodological or historiographical overviews; comparative studies, including comparisons between groups in the Caucasus and those in other world regions and time periods; or case studies of individual social groups, social networks, textual or ethnographic sources, or archaeological sites. Papers may be presented in any national or endemic language of the Caucasus. For languages other than English, the organisers will endeavour to provide interpreters, although this cannot be guaranteed. Papers may be presented in person in Brussels, or online. Depending on funding applications, the conference organisers may be able to provide limited travel funding for some attendees. Interested speakers should send a CV, abstract of 100-300 words, contact details and information about funding requirements to mcnconference2026@gmail.com by 30th September 2025. Queries may be directed to this email.