The Premodern Bodies Research Cluster (PreModBod) is an interdisciplinary community of researchers interested in cultural histories of the human body and diverse methodological approaches to the ancient, medieval, renaissance and early modern periods. We take a global approach to the human body, encouraging research exchange across a wide range of cultures, regions and disciplinary expertise.
We are interested in new and diverse approaches to one of the oldest subjects of cultural study: the human body itself. We explore the representation, experience, treatment and uses of the human body, as well as its intersections with religious practices, knowledge, institutions, materialities, animals and the environment.
Each semester we gather to exchange ideas and in progress research through collection visits, group discussion of our primary sources (artworks, objects, texts), informal exchange of bibliography impacting current member’s research and thoughtful discussion of the scholarship (both recent and established) which has most impacted different disciplines’ sustained work with ‘the body.’
PreModBod is chaired by Dr Jess Bailey (ECA), co-organised by postgraduates Scarlett Butler and Elodie Pascal. Organisers interests include disability, sexuality, medicine, beauty, death and religion.
We encourage members at all stages of their careers – from postgraduate students to early career researchers and established scholars. All schools and disciplines are welcome, as are members from external institutions or organisations. We look forward to meeting researchers across the University of Edinburgh, join us!
Get in touch with us to join our contact list, find out about our events or suggest an activity. Email: s.butler@ed.ac.uk.
Header image: Anonymous, Six Early-Modern Anatomical Illustrations, MS P 20, fol. 554b and 555a. Via: Islamic Medical Manuscripts in the National Library of Medicine Collections, Bathesda, USA. View the journal here.
