Thackray Insights invites you to delve deep into eye opening topics and explore the unheard stories of medicine.
How can we use creative practice to debunk the myth of a ‘normal’ brain? Arya Thampuran delves into the digital artwork of Nigerian artist Eloghosa Osunde, comparing personal experiences of depression and neurodiversity with the latest scientific findings.
For decades, autistic talent has been connected primarily with skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). Dr James McGrath examines the history of this link, and sheds light on how Arts and Humanities approaches work alongside the sciences towards a more holistic, interdisciplinary recognition of autism.
About the Speakers
Arya Thampuran is an Assistant Professor at Durham University‘s Institute for Medical Humanities and co-leads the Black Health and Humanities and Neurodivergent Humanities Networks. Her research combines medical humanities and critical race studies, exploring African diasporic approaches to mental health and healing. Her work advances decolonial, intersectional approaches to healthcare, illness and wellbeing.
Dr James McGrath is a Senior Lecturer in English and Creative Writing whose research explores autism through interdisciplinary perspectives, combining literary studies, creative practice and lived experience. His work examines cultural representations of autism and challenges scientific, medical and social misconceptions, informed by his own late diagnosis. His monograph, Naming Adult Autism: Culture, Science, Identity, brings together academic and autobiographical writing to advance humanities-based approaches to understanding autism. He also contributes to autism advocacy and healthcare through advisory roles and collaboration with NHS services.
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