Amy Hall

School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities

PhD Student (History)

Profile

Thesis title: Historical methodologies of interpretation and analysis: defining experience and identity in narratives of mental illness, c.1800-2000

Supervisors:

  • Chris Millard (Primary)
  • Esme Cleall (Secondary)

Period:

Post-1800

Thesis Abstract:

Autobiographical narratives of mental illness have been leveraged for medical, literary, and historic understanding since their emergence in the 19th century. This research examines the approaches used to interpret and analyse these texts, and as such the personal experience of given biographers, identifying and critiquing the diverse landscape of disciplinary methodology. Further to this, the research will explore an under-examined theme of these narratives: the relationship between the self and illness alongside changing dynamics of identity and agency.

Qualifications
  • PhD History, University of Sheffield, 2023 - present
  • MSc Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 2020
  • BMedSci Medical Humanities, University of Sheffield, 2018
  • DipMedSci Medicine, Durham University, 2017
Publications and Conferences

Journal articles:

  • Wilson A, Millard C, Sabroe I. Physician Narratives of Illness. The Lancet, 394:10192;20–21.
  • Sabroe I, Mather S, Wilson A, et al. Error, injustice, and physician wellbeing. The Lancet, 397:72–873.

Book chapters:

  • Wilson A. Mental illness and doctors in historical context. In: Gerada, C. Behind the White Coat. Abingdon: Routledge;12–21.