Hormonal rebellion

Hormones are curious. They connect the biological and the social; they are involuntary, but we can influence them. They are key to essential physiological processes and imbued with layers of social meaning. What we experience changes our hormones, and what our hormones do changes our experience.

This event brings together social scientists and medical researchers to explore ‘rebellious hormonal stories’ through a lively group discussion amidst an exhibit of illustrations from our book Hormonal Theory.

This will include not only social stories about hormones but biomedical work as its own form of storytelling and an invitation for audience members to tell their own stories based on their experiences.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s Curious festival of knowledge is back, from 2−15 September!

Curious, is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s festival of knowledge. It brings together a range of leading thinkers and invites anyone who is curious-minded to come together to learn, discuss big ideas, ask questions, and get curious across two weeks of free events.

Check out the full programme of events here.

SPEAKER

Dr Sone Erikainen

Lecturer in Sociology, University of Aberdeen

Sone Erikainen is a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Aberdeen where their work focuses on medical sociology and the sociology of gender and sexuality. Their research and publications cover areas such as new and emerging biotechnologies; gender and sports science; medicalisation of sex, gender, and sexuality; and gender and sexual diversity.

SPEAKER

Dr Varsha Jain

Clinical Lecturer, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh

Dr Varsha Jain is a Wellbeing of Women Clinical Research Fellow at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh, investigating why women suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding. She is a practicing clinician specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology and also has an accomplished science portfolio, including her work as one of the first academic doctors to focus on researching women's health in relation to space.

SPEAKER

Dr Ros Malcolm

Assistant Professor in Anthropology, Durham University

Roslyn Malcolm joined Durham University’s Anthropology Department as Assistant Professor in 2020. Through research on autism, more-than-human sociality, embodiment, gender, environmental stress and hormones she seeks to understand the stories we tell about selves, bodies and environments, and the role biomedical knowledges play in models of their functioning.

SPEAKER

Professor Hilary Critchley FRSE

Personal Chair of Reproductive Medicine, University of Edinburgh

Hilary Critchley is Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh, and a Consultant Gynaecologist with the NHS. Her research career in menstrual disorders, abnormal uterine bleeding, and implantation spans more than 30 years and she has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles. She has been recognized for her excellence by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and other eminent societies.

SPEAKER

Dr Andrea Ford

Wellcome Trust Research Fellow in Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Edinburgh

Andrea Ford is a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society. As a medical anthropologist, her research broadly investigates how ideas about gender, bodies, knowledge, nature, and technology shape childbearing, periods, and women’s health conditions. She leads the project 'FemTech Innovation: Care provision, knowledge production, and menstrual health in the UK and US'.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+

• Accessibility Statement: We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements, please make us aware of this just now during the booking stage. Or if you have any questions about how we can support your requirements, please contact the Curious team on: [email protected].
• Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on [email protected].
• To view our full accessibility information please .
• Filming/photography: There may be photography/recording at this event. If you would like to not be recorded, please speak to a member of the Curious team when you arrive.
• Covid-19: If you would like to wear a face mask, please feel comfortable to do so at our events. Please be mindful of other participants and stay at home if you have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.

Host or Publisher The Royal Society of Edinburgh