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University of Essex homepage Departments Philosophical Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies Research Medical Humanities
Research cluster

Medical Humanities

Two pairs of hands holding each other

New directions in the medical humanities

This research cluster continues to shape fast-moving interdisciplinary research in the medical humanities, both locally and internationally.

Our contributions include high-impact interventions on debates around autonomy, disability and mental health; insight, objectivity and the management of risk; and experiences of powerlessness in contexts of chronic illness, end-of-life care, addiction and moral distress.

Through this cluster, we have forged multiple partnerships across disciplines, including Law, Sociology, and Health and Social Care; and with non-academic stakeholders, from local hospices to the UK Ministry of Justice, the Judicial College and the Council of Europe. Our work in the medical humanities contributes to the wider Faculty of Arts and Humanities research in Health and Medical Humanities.

Learn more about our members research and interests through their staff profiles. You can also contact members of staff for information on research supervision opportunities.

Our members

Professor Fabian Freyenhagen
Professor, School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Research interests: Theory, history and practice of autonomy; Frankfurt School (especially Adorno); Ethics (particularly critique of Kant's and Kantian ethics); Political Philosophy
Professor Wayne Martin
Professor, School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Research interests: Philosophy of Psychiatry; Phenomenology (esp Hume, Husserl, Heidegger, Th Lipps, L&oslashgstrup); Kant and post-Kantian idealism (esp Fichte); The history and philosophy of logic; Philosophy and painting; Self-Consciousness; Autonomy and the Regulation of Care; Political Philosophy; Will, Agency and Contract
Dr Matthew Burch
Senior Lecturer, School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Research interests: Matt works on issues at the intersection of phenomenology; action theory; and research in the cognitive and social sciences.
Professor Irene McMullin
Professor, School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Research interests: Existentialism; Phenomenology; Ethics
Dr Daniel Watts
Senior Lecturer, School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Research interests: Kierkegaard; Wittgenstein; The theory of judgement; Medical Humanities; Existentialism and phenomenology; Moral and political philosophy and; Philosophy of religion
Dr Joerg Schaub
Senior Lecturer, School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Research interests: Social and Political Philosophy (focus on contemporary theories and 19th century German authors); Frankfurt School and Contemporary Critical Theory; Aesthetics

Research projects

Essex Autonomy Project

The Essex Autonomy Project is a research and knowledge-exchange initiative funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The Ethics of Powerlessness

The Ethics of Powerlessness is an interdisciplinary research project of philosophers at the University of Essex. The project started in July 2015.

Related courses

Are you looking to study a philosophy degree at undergraduate, masters or PhD level? Explore some of the exciting courses below, or visit our subject areas to find out more about the degrees and modules that Essex has to offer. If you're not sure which subject is right for you, you can always search for a course. If you're looking for research opportunities, or to find a supervisor, you can use our research finder by searching for your research interests.

 

Explore our subject area

Browse our other Philosophy research clusters

Feminism, Race and Gender
Medical Humanities
Critical Theory in Philosophy
Phenomenology and Existentialism in Philosophy
Classical German Philosophy
Research in the School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies
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Health and Medical Humanities
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