Our summer newsletter has just hit inboxes! 📨☀️ July's edition shares news from the Platform & IMH, new publications, and articles from @the-polyphony.bsky.social. We’re having a break from our monthly newsletter in August – we will be back in your inboxes in September. mailchi.mp/durham.ac.uk...

IMH newsletter: July 2026

News & updates from the Institute for Medical Humanities, Durham University.

mailchi.mp

Great to see Hearing the Voice – our interdisciplinary study of voice-hearing which ran from 2012–2022 – featured in this important report on interdisciplinary mental health research! www.durham.ac.uk/research/ins...

Inquiry into interdisciplinary mental health research - Durham University

durham.ac.uk

As part of her In Practice Research Fellowship, Dr Estelle Verdi has published a scoping review exploring how creative health approaches may support the mental health and wellbeing of minoritised women following baby loss. Read the article in full 👇 medhumsplatform.org/new-publicat...

New publication from In Practice Research Fellow: Creative health and baby loss in minoritised women

Estelle Verdi has co-authored a scoping review exploring how creative health approaches may support mental health of minoritised women following baby loss.

medhumsplatform.org

Was glad to attend this workshop earlier this week hosted by @durhamimh.bsky.social. Very thought provoking presentations and discussions.

How do we evaluate quality in co-produced research? A new publication co-authored by Kate Marks (Moving Bodies Lab) & Brett Smith (Narrative Practices Lab) explores how quality can be assessed in ways that reflect the values and aims of co-production. Read more 👇 medhumsplatform.org/new-publicat...

New publication: Evaluating quality in co-produced research

What does 'good' co-produced research look like? Kate Marks, Brett Smith and Victor Merino-Expósito explore in this new article for Critical Public Health.

medhumsplatform.org

Last month the IMH held a PhD Showcase event celebrating the diversity and creativity of research in the medical humanities. One of our Postgraduate coordinators has shared a recap of the event and explains the creative feedback process that was used in the panels. www.durham.ac.uk/research/ins...

IMH Postgraduate Researcher Showcase

Last month the IMH held a PhD Showcase afternoon celebrating the diversity and creativity of research in the medical humanities.

durham.ac.uk

I'm super excited about this workshop! 📚 Gender, Autism, and Affective and Epistemic Injustice workshop @durhamimh.bsky.social Tuesday 7th July 10-3.30 A HYBRID workshop developing interdisciplinary conversations around key issues www.durham.ac.uk/research/ins...

We are delighted to share that the premiere of a co-choreographed dance piece by Moving Bodies Lab researcher Emily Davis and dancers living with multiple sclerosis (MS) has received enthusiastic feedback following its debut at Healing Arts Scotland. Read here: medhumsplatform.org/high-praise-...

High praise for dance performance at Healing Arts Scotland

The premiere of a co-choreographed dance piece by Moving Bodies Lab researcher Emily Davis and dancers with multiple sclerosis has received enthusiastic feedback following its debut at Healing Arts…

medhumsplatform.org

📣 Our June newsletter has hit the wires! Find out about our Medical Humanities in Practice Fellows, our new IMH Co-Director, a pioneering research project on self-harm, highlights from The Polyphony and more! Read and subscribe here: mailchi.mp/durham.ac.uk...

IMH newsletter: June 2026

News & updates from the Institute for Medical Humanities, Durham University.

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Interested in our MA in medical humanities? There are still a few places left on our Webinar and Taster Session (3 July, 15.00–15.50 BST). Sign up now! www.durham.ac.uk/research/ins...

MA in MedHums Webinar - Durham University

durham.ac.uk

🥼 Our final Lab Coat Lunch is on Wed 8 July! Hear from creator of SOUL PAINT Sarah Ticho @sarahticho.bsky.social. @soulpaint.bsky.social is a virtual reality experience combining 3D drawing, playful embodied interaction & personal introspection 🎨 Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/soul-paint...

SOUL PAINT: Where are you feeling?

Lab Coat Lunches 2026 – visual and material practices within and beyond the medical humanities (online)

eventbrite.co.uk

Last month, we were invited to contribute to 'Understanding the value of creative methods within research', a workshop hosted by the Rural Durham Community Research Network. Mary Robson delivered a presentation alongside a creatively facilitated planning activity for participants. Read more here👇

The Creative Chicken or the Ethical Egg?

Reflections on the 'Understanding the Value of Creative Methods within Research Event' organised by the Rural Durham Community Research Network.

medhumsplatform.org

We recently celebrated the achievements of our 2025–26 Medical Humanities in Practice Fellows 🎉 This year's projects demonstrate the power of practitioner-led research and cross-sector collaboration. Read more about the event and the Fellows' inspiring work 👇 medhumsplatform.org/celebrating-...

Celebrating the 2025-26 Medical Humanities in Practice cohort

Earlier this month we celebrated the achievements of our first cohort of In Practice Fellows.

medhumsplatform.org

Join us for a hybrid workshop developing interdisciplinary conversations around key themes of GAIA: gender, autism, and affective & epistemic injustice. 📆 Tues 7 July, 10am – 3.30pm (BST) 📍 Durham University More info & book: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/workshop-g...

Workshop: Gender, Autism, and Affective and Epistemic Injustice

A hybrid workshop developing interdisciplinary conversations around key themes of GAIA: gender, autism, and affective & epistemic injustice

eventbrite.co.uk

Our final welcome from our new cohort of In Practice Research Fellows – today we share our interview with Maddie-Rose Carbone! Maddie is a Programme and Evaluation Lead at Creative Health Camden. Get to know Maddie in our written interview 👇️

Introducing Maddie Rose-Carbone: New Medical Humanities in Practice Research Fellow

An interview with Maddie Rose-Carbone, who joins us as a Medical Humanities in Practice Fellow.

medhumsplatform.org

💡 Discover our MA in Medical Humanities! A reminder of our upcoming sessions to find out more: 🔶 In-person Open Day, Sat 27 June - drop-in session 2.50–3.50pm (BST) durhamuni.eventsair.com/2026-postgra... 🔷 Online info session, Fri 3 July 3-3.50pm (BST) www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ma-in-medi...

Next up in our interview series with the new cohort of In Practice Research Fellows is Sam Slatcher! Sam @samslatcher.bsky.social is a freelance creative practitioner and researcher working at the intersection of arts, community and wellbeing. Hear from Sam 👇️

Introducing Sam Slatcher: New Medical Humanities in Practice Research Fellow

An interview with Sam Slatcher, who joins us as a Medical Humanities in Practice Fellow.

medhumsplatform.org

Continuing to welcome our new cohort of In Practice Research Fellows, today we share our interview with Sophie-Jo Peel! Sophie-Jo is Creativity and Health Project Coordinator at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Teaching Trust. Find out more 👇️ medhumsplatform.org/introducing-...

Introducing Sophie-Jo Peel: New Medical Humanities in Practice Research Fellow

An interview with Sophie-Jo Peel, who joins us as a Medical Humanities in Practice Fellow.

medhumsplatform.org

Next in our interviews with the new cohort of In Practice Research Fellows is Kate Quinn! Kate is a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS & co-director of Heavy Metal Therapy which specialises in mental health support for people in the alternative music community.

Introducing Kate Quinn: New Medical Humanities in Practice Research Fellow

An interview with Kate Quinn, who joins us as a Medical Humanities in Practice Fellow.

medhumsplatform.org

📺️ Catch up on our events! Last week, Interdisciplinary AI brought together Professor Caroline Bassett, Dr David Watson, and Dr Adam Linson for a conversation on AI, narrative theory, philosophy of science, machine learning, and philosophy of art. Watch the recording👇 vimeo.com/1202789743?s...

Interdisciplinary AI

An interdisciplinary conversation with Professor Caroline Bassett, Dr David Watson, and Dr Adam Linson, bringing together narrative theory, philosophy of science, machine learning, and the philosophy ...

vimeo.com

Why do more births now end in caesarean section? Congratulations to IMH Fellow Halima Akhter on her new article exploring the social and political factors behind rising intervention rates in England and Bangladesh in @uk.theconversation.com! @durham.ac.uk theconversation.com/why-more-bir...

Why more births now end in caesarean section

As emergency caesarean rates rise, research from Bangladesh and England suggests decisions are shaped by more than clinical need.

theconversation.com

Continuing to welcome the 2026-27 cohort of In Practice Research Fellows, next up is Fouziya Asim! Fouziya is a Cancer Outreach Co-ordinator with extensive experience working within the voluntary and community sector. Read our written interview with Fouziya 👇 medhumsplatform.org/introducing-...

Introducing Fouziya Asim: New Medical Humanities in Practice Research Fellow

An interview with Fouziya Asim, who joins us as a Medical Humanities in Practice Fellow.

medhumsplatform.org

How are doctors portrayed in memoirs, television, and popular culture – and why does it matter? Join us for a thought-provoking hybrid talk with Danielle Spencer exploring narrative medicine. 📅 25 June 📍 Durham University/Online 🎟️ Free Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heroic-doc...

Heroic Doctors?: From Medical Memoirs to The Pitt

A hybrid talk by Danielle Spencer about the contemporary genre of physician-author memoirs and their representations in popular media.

eventbrite.co.uk

💡 Discover our MA in Medical Humanities! Have you ever wondered how your previous studies in the arts, humanities or social sciences could be expanded, enriched and applied to pressing issues of health and wellness in our world? 🧵

We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new IMH Co-Director, Shauna Concannon 🎉 Shauna is Assistant Professor in Digital Humanities and Computer Science @durham.ac.uk and brings a wealth experience to the role, starting on 1 September 2026. Welcome! www.durham.ac.uk/research/ins...

New Co-Director Shauna Concannon - Durham University

We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new IMH Co-Director, Dr Shauna Concannon.

durham.ac.uk

A new open-access paper led by Emily Tupper and colleagues of the Moving Bodies Lab explores the often-overlooked work that happens before people begin walking or cycling in community programmes. Find out more and read the paper 👇 medhumsplatform.org/access-at-th...

Access at the doorstep: New publication

A new research paper led by Dr Emily Tupper of the Moving Bodies Lab sheds light on how volunteer-led walking and cycling programmes help people access and stay engaged in physical activity.

medhumsplatform.org

Around 6.4% of the UK population report having self-harmed in their lifetime. But how is self-harm influenced by culture? Congratulations to @veronicaheney.bsky.social who has won a prestigious Wellcome Early Career award to re-configure understandings of self-harm. @durham.ac.uk

Veronica Heney to shed new light on self-harm - Durham University

durham.ac.uk

Get to know our new In Practice Research Fellows! First up is David McQuillan, a creative health producer, artist and programme manager working across arts, health and communities in West Yorkshire. Read our written interview with David 👇 medhumsplatform.org/introducing-...

Introducing David McQuillan: New Medical Humanities in Practice Research Fellow

An interview with David McQuillan, who joins us as a Medical Humanities in Practice Fellow.

medhumsplatform.org

🥼 Catch up on our Lab Coat Lunch series! The third talk features visual artist Steve Geliot‘s exploration of the differences between working as an artist in acute hospital settings and working creatively in ‘end of life’ care. 📺️ Watch it here: vimeo.com/1192215901?f...

Lab Coat Lunch 3: After the War – Arts and film practice in hospice care

The third of the ‘Lab Coat Lunches’ series, hosted by the Visual and Material Lab, features Steve Geliot's exploration of the differences between working as an artist in acute hospital settings and…

vimeo.com

Join us for 'Gender, Autism, and Affective and Epistemic Injustice', an engaging workshop exploring the intersections of autism, gender, emotion, knowledge, and social justice. 📅 Tue 7 July 10am–3.30pm 📍 Hybrid / Durham University More info & book (free!) www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/workshop-g...

Workshop: Gender, Autism, and Affective and Epistemic Injustice

A hybrid workshop developing interdisciplinary conversations around key themes of GAIA: gender, autism, and affective & epistemic injustice

eventbrite.co.uk