Lunchtime Talk: ‘Oxford in the History of Medicine’

‘Oxford in the History of Medicine: Bright ideas, discoveries and innovations through the ages’

Oxford’s scientists, medics and their patients have made some remarkable contributions to medical science down the ages, particularly in the 17th, 20th, and 21st centuries.

They have refined scientific method, investigated the anatomical workings of the body and the brain, agonised over ethics, revolutionised diagnosis, theorised about both physical and mental health, deliberated about how to deal with patients, tested treatments and come up with cures and ways of preventing sickness in the first place.

This talk starts with a treacle well and a dragon and ends with some of the cutting-edge research undertaken today.

Tickets cost £6 and are available online via Eventbrite (booking fee applies) or at the Museum shop.

Further information

Complimentary tea and coffee will be available to enjoy during the talk. We recommend arriving before the start of the talk if you would like to grab a refreshment.

Sales from tickets help support our work to deliver fun and accessible family activities, community engagement projects, schools workshops, exhibitions and special events for Oxford’s people in our Museum spaces.

Victoria Bentata is an Oxford Green Badge Guide and member of the Oxford Guild of Tour Guides. She has an Oxford University degree in Modern Languages and an Oxford Brookes University MA in History. Her dissertation focused on the Inter Services Topographical Department at Manchester College Oxford during WWII.  She is the author of Oxford City Walks, a book of 15 walks with guiding commentary, and regularly leads specialist tours of Oxford including Oxford in the History of Medicine. See her website for more details.

Access

There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall via the entrance closest to Carfax Tower (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift to the Galleries and then a lift to the basement.

Accessible toilets are available in the Museum (close to Museum Makers) and in the Town Hall on the ground floor, before entering the Museum. Please contact the Museum team if you’d like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements. Further access information can be found on our page dedicated to access at the museum.

Photo consent

Please be aware that photographs will be taken at this event for use in marketing. If you (or a member of your group) would prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of staff know during the event.