Histories of Sexual Health Research at Aston: Tracing Sexual History through the Aston University Archives
Examine Aston University's archives to uncover the history of sexual health research from 1960 to 1989. Analyze archival materials to connect local research initiatives to broader social movements and their impact on society and sexuality studies.
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Project Description
Project Overview
This doctoral research engages with the Aston University Archives Centre (AUAC) to investigate the history of sexual health research at Aston University between 1960 and 1989. It focuses on key figures such as Dr Martin Cole and Dr Philip Cauthery, who pioneered student sexual health initiatives. The project examines archival materials to understand the historical and social dynamics of sexual health research, its contemporary reporting, and its connections to social movements.
What You Will Do
The student will identify and analyze archival materials related to sexual health research conducted at Aston. The project involves answering key questions about the nature of research during the period, how it was reported, and its relationship to broader social movements. A multidisciplinary approach combining history, sociology, and heritage studies will be applied.
Expected Outcomes
The research will produce academic contributions relevant to sex studies, archival science, and social history, particularly illuminating the local-global dynamics of sexuality research. The results will also impact understanding in education, culture, politics, and society by detailing Aston's role in sexual health history.
Why This Matters
This project deepens understanding of historical sexual health research and its societal impact, revealing how archives serve as portals to hidden social histories. Given Aston's central role in pioneering sexual health initiatives, this research situates these developments within wider social movements, offering insights into the politics of sexuality and health education in the late 20th century UK.
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Eligibility
Supervisor Profile
Dr Ilaria Scaglia is a researcher specializing in social history, archival research, and heritage studies at Aston University. Her work explores intersections of social movements, sexuality, and archival interpretation. She contributes to interdisciplinary approaches that synthesize historical and sociological methods to uncover hidden and marginalized histories.