Unlocking the Chains: Madness and medicine across York’s history Paula Larsson
Event details
What does York’s past reveal about how we have cared for bodies and minds?
Paula Larsson, vaccine historian and co-director at Uncomfortable York traces the evolving history of medicine and mental health in York, from early public health measures and institutional reforms to ongoing struggles for patient autonomy and care. Through engaging storytelling you’ll be invited to explore how ideas of illness, treatment and control have shaped both the city and the lives of its people.
Join us as we look beyond York’s well-known stories to uncover voices often left out of the historical record. Our event foregrounds the experiences and contributions of women, people of colour and LGBTQIA+ individuals whose stories have often been marginalised or overlooked in this narrative.
Through familiar streets, buildings and institutions, you’ll be invited to see York differently. We’ll ask thought-provoking questions about power and compassion, questioning who gets to tell the story of the city. Whether you’re a history lover or simply curious about York’s past, this event will bring you new stories about the city you thought you knew.
This event is presented by Uncomfortable York.
About Uncomfortable York
Uncomfortable York is a walking tour community interest company and certified social enterprise dedicated to exploring diverse histories. Led by university students and scholars, our tours offer expert, research-driven insights. Launched in May 2023 with support from the University of York’s Institute for Public Understanding of the Past, we are the latest extension of Uncomfortable Tours, a social enterprise also active in Oxford and Cambridge. Our tours challenge perspectives on how history is presented, fostering open and engaged learning.
About the speaker
Paula Larsson is a vaccine historian and Co-director at Uncomfortable York.
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