Sophie Aimée Ahlemeyer
Research:
My PhD Project, provisionally titled "Wom(b)anhood: Herstory, treatment and conceptions of endometriosis from the 20th century onwards", 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 and use history to examine medical biases in the diagnostic and treatment processes around endometriosis. I focus especially on biases relating to gender, sexual identity, and sexuality, drawing on history to discuss and criticise how endometriosis treatment can often be focused on the preservation of fertility 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.
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”.
Education and related experience:
2018 - 2021: BA (Hons) History and Politics, University of Warwick
2021 - 2022: MSc Gender, Peace and Security, London School of Economics and Political Science
Oct - Dec 2022: Clinical observership in the Endometriosis Centre of the University Hospital Münster (UKM)
2023 onwards: PhD in History, University of Warwick. Funding: Richard and Anne Crossman Memorial Scholarship