Taking place across our Autumn/Winter season, Thackray Insights invites you to delve deep into eye­ opening topics and explore the unheard stories of medicine.

‘To understand the causes of life, we must first have recourse to death’ – Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

Human remains have for centuries been key to the way we have understood our own anatomy. Used for dissection and research in disease, they are often housed in museum collections the world over. Remains also have the power to tell us about the person they once were and unpack the stories of the world in which they lived.

Join our panel of experts for a lively discussion surrounding the history of human remains, how they have broadened our medical and historical understanding, and the ethical arguments surrounding their collection and display.

This event is an Insights Panel Debate – grab a coffee and join the discussion as we quiz a group of experts.

About the Speakers
Dr Richard Bellis is Associate Lecturer in Medical Humanities (University of St Andrews). His research focuses on the history of human remains in medical research.

Dr Katherine Rawling is a historian of medicine and visual culture, and a Lecturer in 19th century British History (University of Leeds).

Cat Irving has been caring for anatomical and pathological museum collections for over 20 years and is currently the Human Remains Conservator for Surgeons’ Hall.