The most important thing friends, family, and colleagues can do for you is remind you that doing your best is plenty good enough!
Joyce Salisbury · In Her Own Words
Remember, it's never easy for anyone — you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Doing your best is more than enough. Don't focus on what's unfinished; celebrate what you've accomplished.
Balancing Ambition With Life’s Demands and Finding True Fulfillment
Explore moreHer Story
Dr. Joyce E. Salisbury is an eminent American historian and Professor Emerita of Humanistic Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. A specialist in medieval and early modern social and gender history, she earned her Ph.D. in Medieval History from Rutgers University. Over her long academic career, she served in multiple leadership roles, including associate dean and director of international education, and was honored as the Frankenthal Family Distinguished Professor.
Dr. Salisbury is a prolific author with more than ten influential books and hundreds of publications. Her scholarship explores themes such as early Christianity, martyrdom, medieval sexuality, and the role of animals in medieval society. Her notable works include Perpetua’s Passion: The Death and Memory of a Young Roman Woman, The Beast Within: Animals in the Middle Ages, and the textbook The West in the World. She also served as editor of The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Daily Life, which received national recognition.
Beyond academia, Dr. Salisbury is known for bringing history to broader audiences through public lectures and media. She has taught several courses with The Great Courses series, including The Middle Ages Around the World and The History of Spain: Land on a Crossroad. Her work with the Semester at Sea program and appearances on platforms like PBS and NPR reflect her dedication to making history accessible and engaging. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades for teaching excellence and scholarly contribution.
Her Interview
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a deep passion for history, a commitment to rigorous scholarship, and the continual pursuit of sharing knowledge in meaningful and accessible ways. My academic journey has been shaped by a dedication to uncovering and illuminating the complexities of the past, particularly through the lens of people traditionally outside power, from women to peasants to the poor. As the author of Rome’s Christian Empress: Galla Placidia Rules at the Twilight of the Empire, I’ve sought to bring forward lesser-known stories with depth and nuance. Currently, I’m writing a 24-lecture series on The Mediterranean World which will appearing in 2026—a project that reflects both my scholarly focus and my passion for public education.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The study of history requires a strict adherence to the truth wherever the sources lead, and I work hard on this value.
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