I will remember the face of the man who I had not expected to see. In suburban Johannesburg, the soil begins to turn into a rich gold color. The soil summons an enticing depth to the earth, where as Jean-Luc Nancy (1994) writes, we find existence as the cradle between our birth and our death. […]
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James Poskett: Naval Expertise Conference, May 10-11 2013
For those regularly following this blog, you’ll know I’m keen on exploring how maritime and medical history can be brought together, particularly with respect to developing critical global histories of both. If you share my enthusiasm, you might be interested in the following conference, due to take place 10-11th May 2013 at Wolfson College, University […]
Ayesha Ahmad: Where Our Ancestors Walked (Danced)
I recently attended a performance by choreographer, Gregory Maqoma, from South Africa. I was not aware of the profound reflections that would occur during the movements of his dance; a depiction of the life-story of his great-grandfather. […]
Ayesha Ahmad: Call for ‘Stories’; Symposium edited by Tod Chambers
Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics will publish an issue devoted to personal stories from bioethicists about the experience of being ill or caring for a person who is ill. We are particularly interested in those stories that have affected how a bioethicist “does” ethics. We want true, personal stories in a form that is easy to read. […]
Seema Biswas and Professor Mark Clarfield: ‘In a Better World’
How often when we seek to do good can we cause real harm? The Academy award-winning Danish film, In a Better World, explores this paradox through the lives of Elias and his parents: for Elias’ father – a doctor – trying to save the world comes at a heavy price. Written by Anders Jensen, who also penned […]
Ayesha Ahmad: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – A Socio-Political Construct or Illness Entity?
I recently attended a seminar meeting at St Pancras Hospital, chaired by Dr Khaldoon Ahmed, on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Amongst an elite crowd of Dr Walter Busuttil, Medical Director at Combat Stress, Professor Roland Littlewood, University College London, and Dr Brock Chisholm, Forced Migration, whether PTSD is a socio-political construct or illness entity was […]
Ayesha Ahmad: Seminar June 20th 2012 on ‘Narrative Epileptology’ by Dr Maria Vaccarella, Kings College London
Dr Maria Vaccarella will present her ongoing research at an open seminar at the Centre for Health and Humanities, King’s College London. Dr Vaccarella’s subject refers to the cultural history of epilepsy in the West, and narrative medicine applied to epilepsy care; creating a valuable insight into the interaction between health and the humanities. The […]
James Poskett: Digital surgeons at sea
A few months ago I was raving about the prospects of a maritime history of medicine, the ship’s medicine chest being the focus of some of my latest studies. Since writing that piece, the Wellcome Trust and National Archives have completed the digitisation of the Royal Navy Medical Officers’ journals. The project, entitled Surgeons at […]
Ayesha Ahmad: Seminar Details – The Role of Non-medical Professions in the Health Humanities: A Roundtab
The Role of Non-medical Professions in the Health Humanities: A Roundtable Discussion King’s College London, Council Room June 12, 2012 18:00-19:30 Hosted by Dr. Jessica Howell and Rachael Renaud for the ‘Re-reading Nursing’ Research Group Professor Brian Hurwitz, Professor Anne Marie Rafferty and Dr. Angela Woods […]
Ayesha Ahmad: Hearing Voices; Illusions and delusions as God enters the doctor-patient dialogue
As medicine evolves, or rather reveals, nuances that speak of an inherent interdisciplinary nature, how are we to recognise and become accustomed with voices other than the language of textbooks; the sounds of monitors and machines; and the neutral tone of the doctor to patient dialogue? What happens when the patient hears God? […]