About the History of Medicine
The History of Medicine Unit was established on the 1st December 2000, the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Birmingham Medical School, to support and promote teaching and research in the History of Medicine and help develop the reputation in this field in one of the UK's major research universities.
As a result of the Unit's location, staff and students are able to develop a high level of interaction with clinicians and medical scientists, which influences the design and execution of research strategies and the dissemination of research. The Unit is also highly interdisciplinary, bringing together scholars not only from Medical Sciences and Applied Health Sciences, but also from Medieval and Modern History, Ancient History, Archaeology, Education, Modern Languages, Health Sciences, Nursing, and Dentistry.
Aims and objectives
The History of Medicine plays an important part in the understanding of the progress and current dilemmas facing modern biomedical science and clinical practice today.
As a result, the Unit was founded in order to achieve the following academic aims and objectives:
- Provide a stimulating and supportive environment for members of staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students and also to visiting scholars involved and interested in the history of medicine.
- Attract visiting scholars, particularly from overseas, to the University to study the history of medicine.
- Promote interdisciplinary research between professional historians, particularly in the College of Medicine and Health, as well as in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Support the staff of the Unit and the University in raising funds for research in the History of Medicine.
- Organise colloquia, conferences, informal workshops and regular meetings of the History of Medicine and Health Research Seminar.
- Act as consultants on the History of Medicine and medical achievements in the West Midlands to the Birmingham Medical School, the University, other professional bodies and the general public.
- Provide teaching and postgraduate supervision in the History of Medicine to the College of Medicine and Health and the wider University.