Joëlle Rollo-Koster is a distinguished professor of history, a renowned medieval scholar, and an accomplished author. And this fall, in recognition of her outstanding academic research and writings in French history, the French government named her a Chevalier of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques.

“I’m delighted to be recognized by my home country,’’ said Rollo-Koster. “I’ve worked hard at sharing the history and culture of France with my students and readers. It’s a pleasure and extremely fulfilling to do something I love every day.’’

Born and raised in Toulon on the southern Mediterranean coast, Rollo-Koster joined URI as an assistant professor in 1996, becoming a full professor in 2007. Her expertise is in the social and cultural life of the late European Middle Ages, from the 1300s to the 1420s. She studies social and cultural behaviors, including politics, marriage, day-to-day life, religious views, and death. She is recognized worldwide for her scholarship on the city of Avignon and its papacy.

Rollo-Koster is the author of seven books, including Avignon and Its Papacy, 1309-1417: Popes, Institutions and Society; Death in Medieval Europe: Death Scripted and Death Choreographed; Raiding Saint Peter: Empty Sees, Violence and the Initiation of the Great Western Schism; and The People of Curial Avignon.

“Joëlle Rollo-Koster is a distinguished scholar of medieval history and is recognized for her exemplary teaching and scholarship that addresses French history and culture,’’ say Winifred Brownell, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “We are indeed fortunate to have her on the faculty at the University of Rhode Island.’’