University Of Edinburgh Research Articles

The Formation of a Language of Science: Vitalism in 18th-century Scotland

Vitalism was a scientific theory that prevailed in 18th-century Scotland. Due to the influence of Boerhaave and the teaching of native scholars, vitalism appeared in Scotland in the first half of the 18th century. Its prosperity was closely related to the personal activities of William Cullen and marked by the acceptance and use of vitalism by other new disciplines, especially chemistry. Due to the continuous progress of experiments and the update of experimental instruments, vitalism was gradually replaced by experimental conclusions. Analyzed by social network analysis, the influencing factors affecting the spread of vitalism in Scotland in the 18th century are obtained. Officially, the University of Edinburgh and the teacher-student relationship were the main influencing factors; unofficially, William Cullens influence was the main influencing factor. As a scientific theory, vitalism experienced a limited rise and fall process; as a language of science, vitalism was borrowed by literature and other disciplines and has an influence even in biology today.

AndrewKloesandLaura M.Mair: Social Christianity in Scotland and beyond, 1800–2000. Essays in Honour of Stewart J. Brown. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2024; pp. ix + 298.

AndrewKloes<scp>and</scp>Laura M.Mair: Social Christianity in Scotland and beyond, 1800–2000. Essays in Honour of Stewart J. Brown. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2024; pp. ix + 298.

Exploring pre-diagnosis hospital contacts in women with endometriosis using ICD-10: a Danish case-control study.

How does pre-diagnosis use of hospital care differentiate between women later diagnosed with endometriosis and age-matched controls without a diagnosis? Women with hospital-diagnosed endometriosis had more frequent hospital contacts in the 10 years leading up to the diagnosis compared to women without a diagnosis of endometriosis, and the contacts were related to registered diagnoses in nearly all of the included ICD-10 chapters for the entire period. Only a few studies have investigated the utilization of health care among women with endometriosis in the time before diagnosis, but current research shows that women with endometriosis have a higher utilization compared to women without diagnosed endometriosis. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the type of contact related to the higher utilization by using the ICD-10 diagnoses registered to the hospital contact. This study was conducted as a national Danish registry-based case-control study of 129696 women. Cases were women with a first-time hospital-based diagnosis of endometriosis between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2017. Using density sampling, we identified 21616 cases. Each case was matched on age at the date of diagnosis (index date) to five women without hospital-diagnosed endometriosis (n = 108080) at the time of matching. The utilization and registered ICD-10 diagnoses related to the hospital contact were included for the 10 years before the index date. The probability of having a high number of hospital contacts (six or more) was more common among women with endometriosis (68.6%) compared to women without endometriosis (55.7%) In general, women without endometriosis were more likely to have fewer than six contacts. The diagnoses registered to the contact among cases were related to a greater variety of ICD-10 chapters when compared to controls with the same number of contacts. For nearly all of the included ICD-10 chapters, women with endometriosis were more likely to have a diagnosis over the entire period compared to controls, with the only exception being in the chapter related to pregnancy. Our results are only applicable for women with hospital-based diagnosed endometriosis since we were not able to include women diagnosed at the general practitioner or private gynecologists. We were not able to make a causal interpretation, as we do not have information on the onset of symptoms of the included diseases. The association may be overestimated due to detection bias. However, a sensitivity analysis only changed the results slightly, indicating a low risk of this bias. This study is in accordance with previous studies on the subject, indicating that the utilization of health care prior to endometriosis is not necessarily restricted to endometriosis-related symptoms and that endometriosis can be associated with many other diseases. Future studies may explore hospital contacts and causes/diagnoses following the endometriosis diagnosis to further shed light on whether our results are due to a pattern of multiple pathologies or rather an expression of misdiagnoses among women with endometriosis before diagnosis. This study is supported by grants from the project Finding Endometriosis using Machine Learning (FEMaLe/101017562), which has received funding from The European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and Helsefonden (21-B-0141). A.W.H. received grant funding from NIHR, CSO, Roche Diagnostics, and Wellbeing of Women. A.W.H.'s institution received consultation fees from Theramex, Joii, Gesynta, and Gedeon Richter. A.W.H.'s institution received honoraria for lectures from Theramex and Gedeon Richter. A.W.H. is listed as co-inventor on a patent application (UK Patent App No. 2217921.2, International Patent App No. PCT/GB2023/053076). P.T.K.S.'s institution (University of Edinburgh) received consultation fees from Gesynta Pharma AB and BenevolentAI Bio Ltd. P.T.K.S's institution (University of Edinburgh) declares a patent application (UK Patent Application No. 2310300.5. Androgens in diagnostic strategies for endometriosis). P.T.K.S. is a treasurer of the World Endometriosis Society, Fellowship in the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and a Scientific Advisor of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. N/A.

Contrasting versions of Medical Police, the forerunner of Public Health, in Edinburgh in the early 19th century.

Andrew Duncan Senior and John Roberton were medical figures who wrote about Medical Police, the forerunner of Public Health, at the turn of the 18th century in Edinburgh. Duncan was an establishment figure, already a Professor at Edinburgh University Medical School when he began a series of lectures on the legal context of medicine, the first of its kind in the UK. Roberton was a less conventional person whose medical qualifications were dubious but who wrote a textbook on Medial Police, the first in the English language. Both were influenced by the German Johann Frank, but developed very different models of Medical Police. Duncan's form depended on education and reflected social attitudes in post-enlightenment Scotland while Roberton was a committed miasmatist and championed an interventional, sanitarian approach. This approach was imaginative, employing an army of medical officers to enforce the policy funded by extra taxes, but this proved too interventional for 19th century Scotland, Roberton left Edinburgh and went to London and never again published on the topic of Medical Police or lectured on the topic. By contrast, Duncan's influence continued through the Chair of Medical Police and Medical Jurisprudence at the University of Edinburgh that he initiated and championed.

The fundraising turnover epidemic: An evaluative holistic model

Demand for fundraising professionals across the advancement sector globally is increasing, leading to a war for talent. This is fuelled by the great resignation, where people are reassessing their priorities (work—life balance), and post-pandemic reflection (current job alignment with long-term goals and values). In addition, opportunities for career development, remote working and location flexibility are increasing. Burnout, stress and cultural and generational influences also impact the need to reassess the attraction and retention of fundraising professionals. It is widely known that the turnover rate in the sector is high, with the average tenure of a fundraiser being between 18 and 24 months. Other research suggests even less at 16 months, citing that ‘fundraising turnover is an epidemic’.1 This paper shares research findings from a survey conducted globally with 52 fundraising/advancement professionals, seeking to answer two questions:• What are the key motivational factors that both attract and retain fundraisers?• Do these motivational factors change through the career life cycle?The paper was inspired following a session at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, European Annual Conference in August 2023, where the co-authors presented on the topic ‘Unleashing the power of your people: attracting, retaining and maximising the potential of your diverse talent pool’. This paper also shares reflections from two of the other panellists from the conference, both fundraising professionals, on their experiences in retaining fundraisers in their teams: Liz Reilly, former Director of Philanthropy &amp; Donor Relations, University of Edinburgh, and Juan-Pablo Garrido, Director of Development, UIC Barcelona. The paper includes supporting insights from research undertaken by the co-authors on motivational theories and their application to the survey results. The paper provides insights on taking a different approach to retention, presenting a framework model that can be applied and one that seeks to be more transformational for the individual and organisation. Although this research is specifically focused on one of the advancement professions — fundraising — it could be applied to talent management within broader advancement and further tested to see if the hypothesis in the model has a broader application.

Carrie L. Sulosky Weaver, Marginalised Populations in the Ancient Greek World. The Bioarchaeology of the Other. (Intersectionality in Classical Antiquity.) Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press 2022

Carrie L. Sulosky Weaver, Marginalised Populations in the Ancient Greek World. The Bioarchaeology of the Other. (Intersectionality in Classical Antiquity.) Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press 2022

Open Research at Edinburgh

Open research practices, which seek to foster research collaboration, transparency, and accessibility, are an integral part of research culture change. Policies are being introduced, particularly at the level of research funding and publishing, to make open research the ‘new normal’. However, the support currently available to help researchers adopt open research practices varies by institution; college, school, or department; and research discipline and methods. Our primary aim in this report was to identify the open research support available to University of Edinburgh research students and staff at various levels including central, local, and grassroots initiatives. As a secondary aim, we sought to understand post graduate researchers’ (PGRs) experiences with open research, including PGRs own personal knowledge and adoption of open research, their experiences accessing support, and what kinds of support they think would benefit them most. This report presents a summary of open research support available at the University of Edinburgh between October 2023 and February 2024, alongside key findings and action items related to open research support for PGRs from semi-structured discussions with seven researchers across the University’s three colleges.

Three sustainability case studies in the scholarly publishing ecosystem

Key points Of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, academic publishers and Higher Education institutions are focusing on Environmental Sustainability. Oxford University Press has made progress on carbon neutrality for its operations; protecting biodiversity; and minimizing waste. Its ambitions go further. Taylor &amp; Francis has a goal of being a net zero carbon business by 2030, and has made progress in areas including reduction of book inventory and transport. The University of Edinburgh has set targets of achieving net zero by 2040 and zero waste by 2030. It is ambitious in its further action, aiming to lead by example. All contributors emphasize the collaborative effort required: within their organization, across their sector, and with relevant industry bodies. They usefully explore their own roles as agents of change.

HPB SO74 - Autologous Islet Transplantation combined with Pancreatic resection in Adults and Children

Abstract Background After extended pancreatic resections there is a risk of developing difficult to manage diabetes. The current NHS commissioning criteria only allows autologous islet isolation and transplantation in adult patients having total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis. We present our experience of pancreatic resection combined with autologous islet transplantation (AIT) in both adults and children. Method Patients were assessed for AIT electively or as an emergency if an extended resection was required for trauma. Patients with chronic pancreatitis were assessed for Total Pancreatectomy (TP) by a multi-disciplinary team which included gastroenterologists, diabetes physicians, pain specialists, surgeons and psychiatrists. A similar approach was used in children. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively with a MMT to assess any borderline diabetes. Results 22 (20 adults and 2 children, age range 9-64 yrs) patients underwent pancreas resection with AIT. Two patients had islet isolated remotely (Edinburgh and Kings College). Five received AIT for trauma (one total and four subtotal). Other indications included Chronic Pancreatitis (n=17) one of which had Familial Hyocalciuric Hypercalcaemia. Ten had gene mutations PRSS1 (n=6) or SPINK1 (n=4). Mean number of islets transplanted were 1534 IEQ/kg ranging in total from &amp;lt;5000- 443,000 IEQ. Patients with mutations received lower numbers of islets. Five remained insulin independent, overall 78% had measurable C peptide. 4/17 Chronic pancreatitis still have abdominal pain. Conclusion Pancreas resection combined with AIT is a viable treatment for both adults and children, even in those presenting with severe pancreatic trauma. Achieving good islet yields in patients with gene mutation remains a problem and is related to the extent of disease and duration of symptoms. Timing of TPIAT in these patients is critical if good outcomes are to be achieved.

Distant-Reading Communities: Monolingualisation in Fin-de-Siècle European Literary Historiography

Abstract A return to earlier forms of distant reading multilingual corpora allows us to reflect on the monolingual authorial position that manages and mediates the language diversity and linguistic specificity (literariness) of multilingual corpora with the objective of fostering supranational (imagined) communities of readers (Anderson, 1983). Revisiting the distant-reading practices of fin-de-siècle Britain can help us identify historiographical focal points and priorities, provide an understanding of the scope and circumference of the corpus, and reveal the conceptions of gain and loss perceived as integral to distant reading. The tension between enrichment and dispossession inherent in the practice of literary historiography is acute when it comes to multilingual corpora, compiled to facilitate a crossing and re-weaving of the boundaries of language, understanding, and community. In the 12-volume series Periods of European Literature, edited and, in part, written by the journalist, literary historian, and Chair of Rhetoric and English Literature at Edinburgh University, George Saintsbury (1845–1933), Anglophone comparatists represent the multilingual corpora of exemplar works, gauging the necessity for, or dispensability of, translation, and managing the “great unread”, which, in this case, equates the “great unreadable”. In their desire to build imagined communities of readers of European literature, Saintsbury and his contributors tend to operate in a monolingual supralinguistic sphere in which languages, authors, and works are named, passages are occasionally quoted, but in which no reading of literature, neither on the side of the comparatist, nor of the reader, takes place. Literary language is thus only tangentially part of literary historiography.

Women, Feminism and Italian Cinema: Archives from a Film Culture by Dalila Missero, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 2021, 188 pp., £90.00 (hardback), £19.99 (paperback), £5.00 (Ebook), ISBN: 978-1-474-46324-9 (hardback), 978-1-474-46325-6 (paperback), 978-1-474-46327-0 (Ebook)

Women, Feminism and Italian Cinema: Archives from a Film Culture by Dalila Missero, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 2021, 188 pp., £90.00 (hardback), £19.99 (paperback), £5.00 (Ebook), ISBN: 978-1-474-46324-9 (hardback), 978-1-474-46325-6 (paperback), 978-1-474-46327-0 (Ebook)

9.X.2. Activating the ASPHER-WHO Public Health Core Curriculum: Interprofessional Skills

Abstract The updated ASPHER-WHO Public Health Core Curriculum builds on ASPHER’s previous work on Competencies for Public Health Professionals (2006-2020), reflects the changing needs of our population and planet and public health professionals. The key objectives of this workshop are to: - Share the updated ASPHER core curriculum for public health; - Illustrate examples of public health challenges that young professionals have championed for inclusion; - Share the Faculty of Public Health (UK)’s work on Fair training as a case study on operationalising public health leadership on equality, diversity and inclusion and demonstrating the core competencies in action. A curricular content survey of member schools and programmes yielded responses from 60 schools, with &amp;gt; 500 submissions of detailed. subject curricula. These have been compiled into 36 Subject Areas in four Domains, namely: (1) Core Subject Areas in Public Health: (2) Subject-specific Areas in Public Health;(3) Core Cross-curricular Subject Areas; and (4) Core Interdisciplinary Professional Skills in PH. The development process was guided and grounded by the expertise and passion of young public health professionals. They are helping us make the core curriculum fit for purpose for the near future and provide them with the skills required to be a competent member of a supportive public health team in an ever changing world. This Workshop will profile selected Subject Areas from each Domain using real life challenges facing WHO European Region to show how the core curriculum integrates research, theory and practice to help build those essential interdisciplinary skills. The examples will focus on Economics in Public Health (Domain 1); Public Health and Criminal Justice; (Domain 2); Health Literacy and Infodemiology, Mental Health and Wellbeing (Domain 3); and Integrative Learning in Action; Communication Skills; Advocacy, Negotiation; Collaborations and Partnerships; and Leadership, Management and Implementation Science (Domain 4). Discussions for each of the Subject Areas will be led by an expert in the area. We will also illustrate an example of these competencies in action, how they are helping shine a light on the challenges we face in creating that supportive team and environment and how the potential for collaboration helps us to capitalise on the expertise available in some schools and programmes for the benefit of all. Key messages • Learning interdisciplinary skills are essential for effective public health analysis, advocacy and action. • Collaboration across countries, schools, professions and generations can create transformational change. Speakers/Panelists Mary Codd University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Karl F Conyard University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Jenny Houston University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Samia Latif Faculty of Public Health, London, UK Olalekan Popoola ASPHER, UCD, Dublin, Ireland

7.Y.2. Solidarity and public health teaching and practice in the age of new normal

Abstract This workshop will address the concept and topic of solidarity as it pertains to public health (PH). The objectives of the workshop are: • To explore what is understood by solidarity in the context of PH; • To consider the PH scenarios in which solidarity may be an important construct; • To consider how solidarity is understood by PH experts and practitioners, and • To profile investigate how solidarity is represented in educational and training programme in PH. Solidarity is a social determinant of health. It is proven as a crucial factor in achieving PH objectives such as: compliance with vaccination campaigns; donations of bodily samples to biobanks; or refraining from polluting. It can be defined as a cost taken upon oneself for the sake of a group with which one identifies (Prainsack and Buyx 2017). As PH is about achieving health objectives through public participation, solidarity can be seen as the kernel of PH practice. In an era with emerging PH threats, from pandemics to climate crises, the importance of understanding the many meanings and uses of solidarity is essential to PH practitioners. There is much more in solidarity than meets the eye. Solidarity is largely a mystification of a collective identity, a boundary-making mechanism that draw the line between ‘us’ and ‘them’, and most importantly, it is the generator of what is understood as ‘public’. Facing increasing challenges in PH, solidarity is a concept to be thoroughly apprehended. Is there one solidarity, or rather multiple solidarities? What are the referent publics of different solidarities and how do they interact? Can be a global solidarity? Is solidarity a normative or descriptive concept? Is solidarity the outcome or the generator of pro-social behaviour. These are questions that will be discussed in this round table workshop session. Curious to learn about PH views on solidarity, we conducted structured interviews with PH experts to ascertain views on solidarity as a key concept in PH; whether the concept should be incorporated into PH education programme, and if so, how best to do that. Preliminary findings suggest that all interviewees agreed that solidarity is a key concept in PH but when asked to define solidarity, provided diverse answers. They acknowledged that solidarity should be taught in different stages of PH education, but admitted that it rarely appears in current curricula. Many interviewees stated that solidarity may be culturally and politically determined and should be discussed through case studies and guest lectures as well as theory. The added value of this workshop is to raise awareness about the importance of the concept of solidarity and its importance in PH education and training programmes. The workshop will run as a Round table discussion, in which each panellist will make a short presentation on a specific subject, which will then be discussed between panel members and audience. Key messages • Solidarity is considered a key concept for the practice of public health, yet has been constantly contested as too vague and even too political. • Presenting key challenges facing the teaching of solidarity as competence in public health; its conceptual ambiguities and cultural differences and the different uses of solidarity as a value and tool. Speakers/Panelists Farhang Tahzib Faculty of Public Health, Haywards heath, UK Mary Codd University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Alison Mc Callum University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Hagai Boas Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, Jerusalem, Israel

Ten lessons for future MSCA/COFUND applicants

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) support researchers' training and development and prioritise international mobility and interdisciplinary collaboration. As the European Commission’s flagship doctorate and post-doctorate fellowship programme, it is fiercely competitive. This perspective piece aims to support future applicants of the programme by presenting ten lessons learned derived from three MSCA/COFUND projects: DTA3 doctoral programme in the UK, Train@Ed post-doctoral programme at the University of Edinburgh, and iMED at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The lessons cover recruitment strategies, enhanced training and career development programmes, and effective project management. Key recommendations include initiating early recruitment, supporting international mobility, embedding EDI within processes, promoting social cohesion, aligning stakeholders' expectations, developing standardised procedures, appropriately managing time and finances, and maintaining realistic project plans. These insights aim to assist future MSCA/COFUND applicants in improving project impact and sustainability.

Decentering the Center: Dialogues with Zeynep Çelik

Review of Susan Slyomovics, ed., Ordering Imperial Worlds: From Late Medieval Spain to the Modern Middle East, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2023, 328 pages, 14 b&amp;amp;w illustrations, 49 color illustrations. ISBN 9781399517867. In this volume of essays in honor of Zeynep Çelik, scholars engage with her rich corpus on built environments of the Mediterranean. Utilizing transdisciplinary and often innovative methods, they draw on diverse voices across space and time to interrogate the idea of empire.

Cross-Cultural Histories and Traditions Between the Cut and Engraved Glass Scenes of the UK and Japan

Recent research conducted by Heritage Crafts, a prominent national advocacy organisation dedicated to preserving traditional heritage crafts in the UK, has unveiled a concerning trend: several traditional craft skills teeter on the edge of extinction within the UK. This revelation stems from the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, an initiative which identifies crafts facing the risk of endangerment. In their recent 2023 publication, Heritage Crafts highlighted the distressing decline of cut and engraved glass craftsmanship in the UK, categorising and placing both brilliant cutting (as endangered) and copper wheel engraving (as critically endangered) on the Red List of Endangered Crafts in the UK. This means that these crafts pose the risk of not being actively practised. In December 2023, the alarming downturn of these crafts in the UK was explored and discussed during a conference held at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), entitled Edo-Kiriko: The Art of Japanese Cut Crystal. This event explored the cross-cultural connection and exchange that exists between Scotland and Japan, drawing upon a rich historical exchange that saw the transmission of Western-style glassmaking from Scotland to Japan in the 1870s–1880s. It also details the more recent exchange that has been in place between Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and the Horiguchi Kiriko glass studio in Tokyo, Japan. This modern-day exchange has seen the recent transmission of glass-cutting skills through a masterclass led by Toru Horiguchi at ECA. This paper presents this conference, introducing the invited speakers and creating a commentary on the proceedings and the plenary discussions that unfolded. Focus and discussion will be given to the factors that have contributed to the current decline of cut and engraved glassmaking in the UK and the possible measures that could be taken to support and safeguard this field. The final part of this paper will offer a reflection on the conference proceedings and will conclude by making an urgent call for the future of cut and engraved glass craftsmanship in the UK. It is hoped this paper will draw attention to the urgent need for support from education and funding bodies, to safeguard and protect these vital heritage crafts, which boast a rich history in the UK.

The Life and Contributions of Dr. Abraham Colles: A Pioneer in Orthopaedics.

Abraham Colles (1773-1843) was a pioneering Irish surgeon whose contributions significantly advanced the fields of anatomy and surgery. Best known for describing the "Colles' fracture" of the distal radius, Colles' meticulous clinical observations and innovative treatment methods remain influential in modern orthopaedic practice. Born in Kilkenny, Ireland, Colles pursued medical education at Trinity College Dublin and the University of Edinburgh before training in London under the renowned surgeon Astley Cooper. Upon his return to Dublin, Colles was appointed resident surgeon at Steevens' Hospital, where he spent the majority of his career. Beyond his work on fractures, Colles made notable contributions to the understanding and treatment of syphilis, leading to the formulation of "Colles' law," and he introduced new surgical techniques for treating vascular conditions, including aneurysms. A dedicated educator, Colles played a central role in shaping Irish surgical practice through his teaching and leadership at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. His legacy endures not only through his clinical innovations but also through his impact on medical education and public health in Ireland and beyond.

A bibliometric analysis of cerebral small vessel disease.

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a significant contributor to both stroke and dementia. While numerous studies on CSVD have been published, herein, we have conducted a bibliometric examination of the literature on CSVD, revealing its hot spots and emerging patterns. We used the Web of Science Core Collection as our primary database and conducted a literature search from January 2008 to January 2023. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, online bibliometric platform, and R-bibliometrix were employed to conduct bibliometric analysis and network visualization, including the number of publications, countries, institutions, journals, citations, authors, references, and keywords. A total of 4891 publications on CSVD were published in 790 journals by 19,066 authors at 3,862 institutions from 84 countries. The United States produced the most written works and had a significant impact in this field of study. The University of Edinburgh had the highest publication count overall. The journal with the most publications and co-citations was Stroke. Wardlaw, Joanna was the most prolific author and commonly cited in the field. The current areas of research interest revolved around "MRI segmentation" and "Enlarged perivascular spaces in the basal ganglia." We conducted a bibliometric analysis to examine the advancements, focal points, and cutting-edge areas in the field of CSVD to reveal potential future research opportunities. Research on CSVD is currently rapidly advancing, with a consistent rise in publications on the topic since 2008. At the same time, we identified leading countries, institutions, and leading scholars in the field and analyzed journals and representative literature. Keyword co-occurrence analysis and burst graph emergence detection identified MRI segmentation and Basal ganglia enlarged perivascular spaces as the most recent areas of research interest.

The Edinburgh History of the British and Irish Press, Volume 1, Beginnings and Consolidation 1640-1800, edited by Nicholas Brownlees, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh 2023

The Edinburgh History of the British and Irish Press, Volume 1, Beginnings and Consolidation 1640-1800, edited by Nicholas Brownlees, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh 2023

Radha Gobinda Kar: The visionary trailblazer bridging traditions and modernity in Indian medicine

Radha Gobinda Kar is a prominent figure in Indian medical history, renowned for his vision and dedication towards establishing an Indian-led medical institution during British colonial rule. Born in 1852 in Betore, West Bengal, Kar’s early life was deeply influenced by his father, Durga Das Kar, a physician who emphasized the importance of education in Bengali language. This influence shaped Kar’s future contributions to Indian medical education. Despite his initial passion for theatre, Kar pursued medicine, graduating from Calcutta Medical College in 1880. His academic brilliance led him to Scotland, where he earned Honors in Medical Science from the University of Edinburgh. However, despite the allure of a prosperous career in England, Kar returned to India, driven by a sense of duty to his homeland. Kar’s most significant legacy is the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, established in 1886, which remains one of India’s premier medical institutions. His vision for this institution was rooted in the belief that India needed its own medical school to serve its people’s needs rather than the colonial administration. This vision led him to endure numerous hardships, including begging and selling his belongings to fund the institution’s establishment. His efforts culminated in creating a medical college that integrated Western and traditional Indian medical practices, reflecting his belief in a holistic approach to healthcare. His life inspires the generations, reminding the power of dedication and visionary thinking in transforming the society.