History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group (HoMBRG) Archives
The History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group (HoMBRG) has meticulously compiled a comprehensive archive of oral and written history, designed to preserve the evolution of medical science. By combining videoed interviews, written documentation, and recorded seminars, the project ensures that the insights of pioneering clinicians and scientists are available for future generations. All materials are deposited with the Wellcome Library and are provided via open access through the HoMBRG website, iTunes, and a partnership with the Medical Heritage Library.
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Key Facts
- Archive Scope: Covers clinical genetics, neuroscience, global health, infectious diseases, and medical technologies and ethics.
- Core Projects: Includes Witness Seminars, Today's Neuroscience Tomorrow's History, and SAD at 30.
- Scale: The Witness Seminar series consists of 62 volumes as of May 2017.
- Accessibility: All publications are open access and available online via the internet archive and HoMBRG website.
- Data Integration: Records for publications and interviewees have been integrated into Wikidata using the History of Modern Biomedicine ID (P3885).
The Witness Seminars
Launched in 1993, the Witness Seminars utilize oral history methodology—the recording of personal memories and experiences—to document the development of modern biomedicine. With approximately four meetings held annually, these seminars capture the voices of diverse contributors to medical progress for the purposes of research, education, and outreach.
The resulting transcripts are typically edited and published online within 18 months. Notable volumes include studies on the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), Migraine, Narrative Medicine, and the Development of Brain Banks. Recent volumes have been edited by E M Jones, C Overy, and E M Tansey.
The series has received critical acclaim. In 1999, the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine described the first two volumes as intellectually stimulating, while medical historian Irvine Loudon wrote in the British Medical Journal in 2002 that the series represents "oral history at its best."
Notable Participants
The seminars have featured a wide array of experts, including Sir Douglas Black, Sir John Gray, Sir Raymond Hoffenberg, Professor Sir Stanley Peart, Professor Anthony PM Coxon, and Dr Sheila Howarth, among others such as Usama Abdulla, Thomas Brown, Professor Dugald Cameron, Professor Stuart Campbell, John Fleming, Professor John MacVicar, Professor Peter Wells, Dr James Willocks, Professor Peter Lachmann, Sir Patrick Nairne, and Dr Peter Williams.
Specialized Research Initiatives
Today's Neuroscience, Tomorrow's History
Funded by a Wellcome Trust Public Engagement grant between 2006 and 2008, this initiative focused on the intersection of neuroscience and history. The project recorded interviews with twelve prominent neuroscientists, including Uta Frith, Michael Rutter, Salvador Moncada, and Geoffrey Burnstock, focusing on three primary themes: neuroimaging, psychiatry/neuropsychology, and neuropharmacology.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) at 30
In 2014, a specialized seminar titled "The Recent History of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): 30 Years of SAD" was conducted. Chaired by Professor Sir Brian Follett and featuring Norman Rosenthal and Alfred Lewy, this project resulted in the production of several podcasts and the publication of Volume 51 of the Witness Seminar series.
Clips and Conversations
Starting in 2015, the Group expanded its reach by producing oral history interviews with notable clinicians and scientists. These are distributed as video interviews on YouTube and as transcripts on the Group's official website.
Archive Summary
| Project/Component | Primary Format | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Witness Seminars | Transcripts/Volumes | General Biomedicine Development |
| Today's Neuroscience | Interviews | Neuroimaging, Psychiatry, Neuropharmacology |
| SAD at 30 | Podcasts/Volume 51 | Seasonal Affective Disorder |
| Clips and Conversations | YouTube/Transcripts | Notable Scientist/Clinician Profiles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I access the HoMBRG archive materials?
Materials are available online via the History of Modern Biomedicine Archive, the internet archive, the HoMBRG website, and iTunes. Physical documentation is deposited with the Wellcome Library.
What is the purpose of the Witness Seminars?
The seminars use oral history to record the contributions of individuals to modern biomedicine, creating a historical record for use in education, research, and outreach.
Which medical themes are covered in the archive?
The archive broadly covers five themes: neuroscience, clinical genetics, medical technologies, global health and infectious diseases, and the ethics of research and practice.
How is the archive integrated with modern data tools?
A Wikimedian in Residence was employed to create Wikidata records for the publications and the individuals interviewed, using the History of Modern Biomedicine ID (P3885).
How many Witness Seminar volumes have been published?
As of May 2017, there are 62 volumes in the Witness Seminar series.