Global Medical and Health Humanities

World leading academics from across Lancaster's Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences share the latest developments in this dynamic field.

How can the humanities play a part in creating an inclusive, trans-cultural and global healthcare that is fit for the future? Our innovative master’s in Global Medical and Health Humanities explores the forefront of knowledge and practices in medical and health environments around the world.

Join us as we expand the debate through new knowledge and collaborative leadership.

Why Lancaster?

• Discover the latest innovations and research insights in global medical and health humanities
• Develop critical, creative and cross-disciplinary approaches to health and medical challenges in global contexts
• Work with an interdisciplinary team with world-leading expertise in a diverse range of health research settings across the arts, humanities and social sciences
• Learn leadership skills that will equip you to navigate difficult decision-making
• Develop a practical and future-orientated understanding of how change is made
• Immerse yourself in Lancaster’s distinctive, collaborative environment

Cutting-edge approaches to well-being, illness and healthcare

The medical and health humanities are fast-evolving, interdisciplinary fields that marshal expertise in arts, humanities and social sciences to tackle healthcare challenges and drive positive future change.

The key values informing this exciting new field of study are interdisciplinarity, criticality, collaboration and creativity. A range of team-taught modules draw on the theories, methodologies and practices of humanities subjects. You will explore and address some of the major health and medical issues facing the world today and have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge health innovation.

Topics might range from addressing inequalities within health, exploring the need to create inclusive and diverse hospital environments, to engaging with difficult and sensitive issues such as sites of trauma, poverty and environmental crisis in healthcare settings.

You will develop critical and cross-cultural approaches to explore such areas as:

• Narratives and artistic expressions of mental health, illness and pain
• Sites of health activism and intervention
• The collaborative design of future spaces such as inclusive environments and hospitals fit for purpose
• The provision of health advocacy
• The de-colonisation of health, moving beyond Eurocentric, Anglophone perspectives
• Sustainability in healthcare
• Critical Disability Studies
• LGBTQIA+ healthcare
• Global histories of medicine and healthcare

Collaboration in practice

The School of Global Affairs offers three master’s degrees that share a common ethos and course structure. Each provides distinctive yet interconnected opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge, relationships and partnerships needed to meet the global challenges of our time.

You’ll take part in subject-specific modules designed to build in-depth knowledge of global medical and health humanities. You’ll assess, engage in and create responses to real world issues.

In studio modules you’ll work on live briefs and develop practical skills in using cutting-edge AI technologies, assessing ethical dimensions, and unpacking the societal costs and benefits.

On leadership modules, you’ll join with students from other master’s cohorts on projects and use generative, collaborative thinking to create innovative solutions that are relevant to diverse external stakeholders.

Working with students from our other cohorts will bring you into contact with those specialising in global sustainability and the environment and AI. You’ll experience the benefits that harnessing skills and knowledge from diverse groups and subjects can bring.

You’ll have the opportunity to tailor your final project to draw on your academic, personal or professional experience and research ambitions. For example, if you are passionate about dis/ableism, representations of mental health in art practices or LGBTQI+ healthcare environments, you can explore these and many other topics during the course.

A range of innovative assessment types will give you the freedom to represent your chosen topic creatively and persuasively.

Leadership for the future of the world

With its dedicated leadership module, this course prepares you for a future as a collaborative change-maker. The course challenges traditional views of leadership. It adopts an understanding of inclusive leadership that is grounded in critical, creative and collaborative skills - a holistic and humanistic way of thinking.

By taking this interdisciplinary approach and engaging in the discourses of leadership ethics, you’ll be equipped to perform whatever role you take to bring about positive change.

You’ll benefit from the rich, collaborative environment in health innovation and research at Lancaster, being able to participate actively in research events and opportunities provided by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Health Hub and theQueer Medical Humanities Network, as well as, beyond the Faculty, the health research ecosystem hosted at Lancaster's Health Innovation Campus.

Flexible study options

Study alongside work and other commitments by taking this course on a part-time basis. Running over two years, you take a selection of modules each year.

We will liaise with you over your choice of optional modules and your schedule, so that you can successfully balance your work and other commitments alongside the master’s programme.

As a BSc Marketing and Design student, you will be equipped with a strong foundation in the principles and practices of both marketing and design. Throughout the course, you will gain a deep understanding of the complementary and contrasting theoretical frameworks of marketing and design while developing essential design research skills and sharpening your critical thinking. You will learn how to respond to design briefs with creative experimentation and compelling visualisations. You will be able to commission design projects and effectively manage marketing strategies across diverse areas, from packaging to online advertising.

Careers

Additional fees and funding information accordion