La psychiatrie et les autres cultures

Psychiatry and other cultures: a historical perspective

Call for papers

Study conference

Museum of the History of Psychiatry S. Lazzaro, Reggio Emilia, Italy

September 2015, exact date to be confirmed

Historically, psychiatry had to measure itself with various kinds of diversity (ethnic, cultural, religious, linguistic, gender), often labelling them as lacking, inferior or even dangerous.The Centre for the History of Psychiatry of Reggio Emilia announces a study conference in order tofocus on the various "encounters" psychiatry has had, since its origins, with those diversities.In particular, presentations on the following issues are sought for:

· Colonial psychiatry: contributions which, through case studies (e.g. biographies ofpsychiatrists, chronicles of mental hospitals, debates on scientific journals etc.), may expandour understanding of this topic reporting Italian and foreign experiences, also comparing different national traditions.

· How psychiatry has dealt, as early as the nineteenth century, but especially in the lastcentury, with the consequences ofmigration on the lives and mental health of millions ofpeople. Papers concerning Italian emigration abroad (transoceanic and European) and also internal migration after World War II, are particularly welcome.

· The history of ethnopsychiatry. Contributions on the origins of transcultural psychiatry aswell as on the most significant representatives of this “boundary” discipline will beaccepted,. We would like to promote research onthe way ethnopsychiatry re-read the historyof psychiatry and re-framed between mental illness, culture and care adopting an historical perspective.

Scholars of all experience levels are invited to submit proposals for papers, sending a Summary inItalian or English (max 500 words),) by 31 March 2015. A completed application form (see attached) and Author’scurriculum vitae should by sent by email together with the Summary to the following email address: chiara.bombardieri@ausl.re.it (specifying in subject: Conference: Psychiatry and other cultures: a historical perspective).

The Scientific Committee of the Centre for the History of Psychiatry will screen submissions and chosen contributions will be included in the official program of the Conference by May 2015.

Conference proceedings will be published.

For info:Mail to chiara.bombardieri@ausl.re.it

Website www.ausl.re.it

The Scientific Committee of the Centre: Laura Carlini Fanfogna, Vinzia Fiorino, Gian Maria Galeazzi, Giorgia Lombardini, Roberto Macellari, Francesco Paolella, Paolo Francesco Peloso, Luca Pingani, Lisa Roscioni, Roberto Salati, Mauro Simonazzi, Luigi Tagliabue

The Executive Committee of the Centre: Gaddomaria Grassi, Mila Ferri, Giordano Gasparini, Elisabetta Farioli, Chiara Bombardieri
Conference Coordinator: Francesco Paolella

Conference Institutional Partners: AUSL of Reggio Emilia, Municipality of Reggio Emilia.