Francisco Cintrón Mattei Wins the Grand Prize in the Middle Ages for Educators Sweet 16 Competition

We are proud to announce that Francisco Cintrón Mattei (Ph.D. Candidate, Medieval Institute) is the Grand Prize Winner of the Middle Ages for Educators (MAFE) Sweet 16 Competition. It was no easy feat! Francisco had to work on a lesson plan, record a video, provide discussion questions, and rally people to vote for his teaching resource throughout the months-long duration of the competition. He advanced through each round of the tournament. Along the way, he won various cash prizes as well as a travel stipend to present his work at the Medieval Academy of America's Centennial meeting in Boston in March 2025.

Titled "'Convivencia' in the Marketplace: The Daily Life of Muslims, Christians, & Jews in Muslim Spain," Francisco's work introduces students to the risāla of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn ‘Abdūn (active between the late eleventh century and early twelfth century); the risāla is a guide for medieval market inspectors. With this "slice of life" primary source, Francisco helps students better understand the complex, nuanced ways that Muslims, Jews, and Christians interacted in al-Andalus.

Thanks to his work, educators have a wonderful video to reference should they want to teach about multiconfessional dynamics in Muslim Spain.

Congratulations to Francisco for his hard work and achievements!