Malamatenia Vlachou Efstathiou

Please tell us about your research project?
My thesis project in Digital Palaeography, titled Characterization of Medieval Scripts, explores the core tasks of paleography—the description and historical analysis of graphic variation in the Middle Ages—through the integration of computer vision tools. Traditional paleographic criteria often fall short in fully explaining the emergence and evolution of script types, and my research aims to refine these approaches by systematically analyzing script variation using objective and measurable elements. Additionally, while computational methods have made significant advances, ensuring the interpretability of results in handwriting analysis remains a challenge. My goal is to bridge the gap between traditional and digital paleography by developing a quantitative approach that aligns with the methodologies used by paleographers. Some of my case studies include the morphological comparison of the Northern and Southern Textualis script type, as well as the scribal hands of Henri du Trévou and Raoulet d'Orléans, two royal scribes in the court of Charles V in the late 14th c., who often collaborated in producing manuscripts for the royal court.

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme?
I am the recipient of the monthly scholarship offered by the Maison Française d'Oxford for the month of February.

First impressions of Oxford/the University?
I really like the layout of the city and how seamlessly it intertwines with university life. There’s something effortless about doing research in Oxford, as if academia has woven itself into every aspect of social life. Beyond the impressive libraries and the medieval charm of the city, which perfectly complement the high level of seminars and academic discussions, I especially enjoy the calm atmosphere, the convenience of everything being close by, and—my personal favorite—the small bakeries with their amazing chai lattes and pastries!