Nov
13

Symposium - In Person and Online - Putting the History into Health Humanities: medicine, ethics and history in health humanities

Deakin Science and Society Network Health humanities scholarship increasingly draws on history to understand how ideas of illness, care, and wellbeing are produced as outcomes of particular social, political and cultural conditions. This symposium brings together historians, literary scholars, and clinical researchers to explore how historical methods can deepen our understanding of contemporary health challenges, from mental illness and disability to reproductive care and public health regulation.

Spanning colonial India, twentieth-century Australia, and contemporary bioethics debates, the day's papers ask what is gained when health humanities puts history back into the frame, and what historical perspectives can offer researchers, clinicians, policymakers and communities working on today's most pressing health questions.

This is a fee-free symposium, with morning/afternoon teas and lunch for those attending in person at Deakin.

TICKETS

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Nov
26

Melbourne - Author Talk - Missing Skulls and a Flying Coffin: a Pink and Wong Mystery by Ross Jones

  • University of Melbourne, Medical History Museum Building, Seminar Room G03 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Fact and Fiction - Author Talk Series

This series of author talks celebrates the 150th year of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Hear from authors of books, showcasing everything from First Nations Healing practices, innovators and leaders in medicine, and social change, to murder mysteries and novels grounded in medical history.

Details and booking

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Nov
4

Auckland - AMHS Lecture, TBA

  • Auckland City Hospital, Ernest & Marion Davis Library, Building 43 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Auckland Medical History Society
Bi-Monthly Meeting


Ernest & Marion Davis Library (EMDL),
Building 43, Auckland City Hospital
Enquiries to AMHS Hon Secretary

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Oct
29

Melbourne - Author Talk, A Formidable Man: John William Springthorpe by Allan Mawdsley

  • University of Melbourne, Medical History Museum Building, Seminar Room G03 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Fact and Fiction Author Talk Series

This series of author talks celebrates the 150th year of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Hear from authors of books, showcasing everything from First Nations Healing practices, innovators and leaders in medicine, and social change, to murder mysteries and novels grounded in medical history.

Details and bookings

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Oct
29

History of Medicine Reading Group, online via Zoom

ANZSHM’s History of Medicine Reading Group meets periodically, convened by Councillor Dr Samantha Kohl-Grey. All members are welcome to participate. A copy of the reading and the meeting’s Zoom link are available at the Members Area via your member login.

In daylight saving states and territories, the meeting is 4-5pm.

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Oct
1

Melbourne - BOOK LAUNCH - The Remarkable Greig Sisters: pioneers in medicine and law, by Iola Matthews

  • University of Melbourne, Medical History Museum Building, Seminar Room G03 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

‘Fact and Fiction’ Author Talk Series

This series of author talks celebrates the 150th year of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Hear from authors of books, showcasing everything from First Nations Healing practices, innovators and leaders in medicine, and social change, to murder mysteries and novels grounded in medical history.

Details and bookings

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Sept
16
to 17 Sept

Oxford UK - Workshop, Modern British History and the Environmental Turn

Modern British History and the Environmental Turn

Environmental approaches are flourishing in modern British history. In contrast to their more peripheral standing within the field a few years ago, there are now papers and panels at the leading conferences, new articles and books, and exciting research networks. It is an opportune moment to take stock of what might be called an emerging ‘environmental turn’ in British history.
This two-day workshop will explore several questions. How can environmental history complement or offer alternatives to existing historiographical narratives and periodisations in British history? What new actors, events, or phenomena might come to the fore? How should it foster engagements with places beyond its national borders or with other disciplines? Is environmental history different from longstanding traditions of ‘landscape’ or ‘urban’ histories of Britain? What contributions can historians make to environmental advocacy and policymaking? And how might a focus on the environment reshape teaching in British history?
Enquiries

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Sept
13

Sydney (in person and online) - History of Anaesthesia: Where have we come from? - Australian Society of Anaesthetists

A fascinating journey through the development of anaesthesia in Australia and the world. From early experimental stages to today’s sophisticated techniques, explore the ground-breaking discoveries and pioneering individuals who have revolutionised patient care.

This seminar is in person and online. Booking details

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Sept
9

History of Medicine Reading Group - Members only - online via Zoom

Reading for this meeting is: Rachel Louise Moran (2026) “‘Perk Up Your Looks and You Along With It’: Postpartum Depression and the Body in 1980s and 1990s US Self-Help Books,” Social History of Medicine, p.1-22.

The paper and Zoom link are available at the Members Area; login to access.

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Aug
13

Online via Zoom, Bicentenary of death of René Laennec, discoverer of the art of auscultation - William Osler Society of Australia and New Zealand

Join WOSANZ in recognising the bicentenary of the death of René Laennec, papers by Nadeem Toodayan and Jacalyn Duffin.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81166702234?pwd=Z2p5EOwUbrJRifGM8rqGJPymrL09R8.1

Meeting ID: 811 6670 2234 Passcode: 936548

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Aug
12

Sydney - Ben Haneman Memorial Lecture - Professor Hans Pols

  • Gallery Room, Mitchell Building, State Library of NSW (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Ben Haneman Memorial Lecture is held jointly by ANZSHM NSW Branch and the State Library of NSW.

2026 Lecturer

Hans Pols, Professor History and Philosophy of Science, University of Sydney - “Origins of Community Mental Health in Australia: Mental Health Professionals, Activists, and Consumers”

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July
23

Online - History of Medicine Reading Group - ANZSHM members only

ANZSHM’s History of Medicine Reading Group is a Members-only discussion, held online via Zoom and convened by Dr Samantha Kohl Grey.

The paper for discussion and the Zoom link can be found at the Members Area of the ANZSHM website, under the Reading Group tile.

The paper for 23 July is by Kristin LaFollette (2025) Rehumanizing Rhetoric, Recuperative Ethos, and Human Specimens: A Case Study of the Indiana Medical History Museum, Rhetoric of Health & Medicine, 8(1): 35-55.

Registration to attend is not required.

Inquiries

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July
23
to 24 July

Melbourne - Conference - Premodern Healthscaping, Health and the Environment in the Preindustrial World: Multidisciplinary Approaches

Health and the Environment in the Preindustrial World: Multidisciplinary Approaches
More information

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July
16

Melbourne - Author Talk - First Knowledges Health: Spirit, Country and Culture, by Shawana Andrews, Sandra Eades and Fiona Stanley

  • University of Melbourne, Medical History Museum Building, Seminar Room G03 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Fact and Fiction

This series of author talks celebrates the 150th year of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Hear from authors of books, showcasing everything from First Nations Healing practices, innovators and leaders in medicine, and social change, to murder mysteries and novels grounded in medical history.

Details and bookings

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July
15

Online Lecture - Ian Duncan - Dangerous to know: Qld’s Asylums and Early Colonial Doctors

Queensland Family History Society: Presenting Series
Seminars online and in person

Enquiries: secretary@qfhs.org.au

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June
29
to 3 July

Sydney - AHA Conference, including Medical History Stream

45th Conference of the Australian Historical Association: Changing Minds
The program includes a Medical History stream.

More information

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June
28

Italy, Summer School on the History of the Life Sciences (for ECR/HDRs) til 5 July

19th Ischia Summer School on the History of the Life Sciences: Problems of Growth
More information

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June
25

Melbourne - Author Talk - Finding Sanity: John Cade, lithium and the taming of bipolar disorder, by Greg De Moore and Ann Westmore

  • University of Melbourne, Medical History Museum Building, Seminar Room G03 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Fact and Fiction

This series of author talks celebrates the 150th year of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Hear from authors of books, showcasing everything from First Nations Healing practices, innovators and leaders in medicine, and social change, to murder mysteries and novels grounded in medical history.

Details and bookings

View Event →
June
4

Melbourne - Author Talk - The Bones by Katrina Watson

  • University of Melbourne, Medical History Museum Building, Seminar Room G03 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

‘Fact and Fiction’ celebrates the 150th year of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Hear from authors of books, showcasing everything from First Nations Healing practices, innovators and leaders in medicine, and social change, to murder mysteries and novels grounded in medical history.

View Event →
June
3

USA - Conference of AAHM and AAHN - Buffalo, New York, USA 3-7 June

99th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the History of Medicine in conjunction with the American Association for the History of Nursing

Enquiries: American Association for the History of Medicine

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May
20

MHSV Quarterly Meeting - Dr Jacinthe Flore, A cultural history of the vagus nerve

The Melbourne Medical History Society of Victoria (MHSV) is ANZSHM’s Victorian Branch. MHSV holds meetings 4 times a year. Visitors are welcome.

Venue: Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, 489 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong

A Guest Speaker is followed by dinner (at cost) for those who wish to stay on. There is no cost to attend the lecture only.

Bookings for dinner are essential, contact MHSV Hon Secretary

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May
6

AMHS Lecture - Tim Cundy, Paget's disease of bone is disappearing: a medical mystery, and David Abernethy, The cause of Kuru and Dick Hornabrook's role in its investigation

  • Auckland City Hospital, Ernest & Marion Davis Library (EMDL), Building 43 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Auckland Medical History Society (AMHS) meets bi-monthly and periodically hosts special interest talks. Meetings are free to attend. Bookings are not required.

Venue: Ernest & Marion Davis Library (EMDL),
Building 43, Auckland City Hospital

Enquiries to AMHS Hon Secretary

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