Sophie Aimée Ahlemeyer
Research:
My PhD Project, provisionally titled "Antagonistic futurism: treatment and conceptions of endometriosis during the 20th century", sits at the nexus between the fields of history, history of medicine, and gender studies. Writing a feminist history, I explore women’s experiences with endometriosis from the early 20th century onwards, while using historical sources and methods, as well as gender studies theories to examine medical biases in the diagnostic and treatment processes surrounding endometriosis. In my examination of historical sources, I focus especially on biases relating to gender, sexual identity, and sexuality. To do so, I employ the theory of reproductive futurism, which I use to discuss and critique how endometriosis treatment has often been focused on the preservation of fertility and reproductive capabilities rather than the management of what can be excruciating pain. In my attempt to advocate for improving medical care today, I will draw on my research to explore what could be changed in the medical and societal treatment of women with endometriosis.
Supervisors: Professor Hilary Marland, Professor Roberta Bivins
My research is generously being funded through the Richard and Anne Crossman Memorial Scholarship.
Wider research interests:
Extending the research I am carrying out in my PhD Project, I am interested in gender-sensitive medicine more broadly, including its history, as well as understandings of pain, and scholarship around reproductive futurism.
I have previously worked on the link between sexual rights and peace, arguing that feminist and transformative visions of peace cannot be realised without the achievement of sexual rights for minorities. In a climate of rollbacks related to sexual rights, I troubled what it means for countries to be truly “at peace”.
Conference papers and publications:
Sophie Aimée Ahlemeyer and Reece Goodall, ‘The unholy fusion of reproductive futurism and toxic nostalgia in Immaculate and The First Omen’, in Toxic Nostalgia: Undead Memory in the 21stCentury, ed. by Simon Bacon (Lanham: Lexington Books, forthcoming).
Sophie Aimée Ahlemeyer, 'Antagonistic futurism: Using Reproductive Futurism as a tool for historical analysis of endometriosis', British Society for the History of Science Postgraduate Conference (2024).
Sophie Aimée Ahlemeyer, 'Methodologies in Historical Writing: Ethics, using medical case notes, and feminist theory in historical analysis', University of Warwick History Department Postgraduate Conference (2024).
Teaching:
Academic year 2024/25: CH169 - Beyond Science: Collaborative Student-Led Challenges (group mentor)
Education and related experience:
Aug 2024: Clinical observership in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of the University Hospital Münster (UKM)
2023 onwards: PhD in History, University of Warwick. Funding: Richard and Anne Crossman Memorial Scholarship
Oct - Dec 2022: Clinical observership in the Endometriosis Centre of the University Hospital Münster (UKM)
2021 - 2022: MSc Gender, Peace and Security, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
2018 - 2021: BA (Hons) History and Politics, University of Warwick