In my next research project, I intend to explore the history of boundaries in twentieth-century American psychiatry. How have psychiatrists understood, constructed, reinforced—sometimes violated—the line that separates the therapeutic relationship from other, more informal sorts of relationships? Using the history of borderline personality disorder as a case study, my hope is to shed some light on the ethical, epistemological, and clinical practices that have defined the unique emotional style that has characterized the relationship between psychiatrists and their patients over the twentieth century. In so doing, I aim to show that psychiatry’s broader social and cultural influence rests in some part upon the careful cultivation of this emotional style.

In Spring 2022, I assisted Dr. Brian Callender develop an exhibition at the Regenstein Library Special Collections titled “[Re]Framing Graphic Medicine: Comics and the History of Medicine.” The exhibit focused on exploring the history of medicine “from below,” rather than from the traditional celebratory vantage point of the physicians whose status improved markedly over the nineteenth century. To accomplish this, we turned to neglected primary sources—prints, comics, cartoons, and other graphic media—which allowed us to develop a richer sense of the conflict and contestation that has characterized Medicine since its birth. More details available here!

Three of my fellow MSc students and I curated an exhibit at the Oxford Museum of the History of Science entitled, "For the love of it".  The exhibit spotlighted the tools of everyday scientific endeavor, while also showcasing the objects of some historical amateur scientists.  We collected stories from museum patrons about their experiences with science, both in school and out.  To explore more, you can visit our blog.