2. Contesting Menopause: Feminist Science, Gender, and the Making of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Host

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Duration

36 months

The research

The selected applicant will develop their own research project along the following objectives (although the proposal does not have to be limited to these objectives):

1. To analyse the role of vernacular and feminist science writing for the creation and shaping of public perceptions of HRT
2. To explore how activists and feminists contested medicalized and pathologizing conceptualizations of the menopause and associated norms of gender by strategically mobilizing different forms of expertise, embodied knowledge, and social networks
3. To map out the circulation of feminist science writing on HRT by tracking how activist and feminist writings fed into public discussions and shaped medical discourse and knowledge production on gender and hormone transitions
4. To get a better understanding of the role of the media, journalism, activism, and vernacular science writing in shaping norms and ideas of gender in the second half of the 20th century through the case of HRT

Various methodological approaches are welcome, but it is encouraged that the project uses methodologies from mediastudies, historical analysis, and science & technology studies.

Your experience

Candidates should have:

• A Master’s degree in history or equivalent. The degree must have been obtained by the application deadline
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position
• Good collaboration skills and ability to work independently
• Excellent higher education track record and scientific curiosity

The following experience would be valuable, butis not essential: 

• Experience with research with trans communities/marginalized groups
• Knowledge of German (the working language at the institute)

The position

A Doctoral Research Fellowship in the History of Medicine is available at the Charité –Instituteof the History of Medicine and Ethics in Medicine. The selected applicant will be enrolled in the PhD program at the Charité and complete the course work as part of the Gender-InSIGHTnetwork. The applicant will develop their own dissertation project and work independently to conduct the research and complete the doctoral thesis within the 36 months position. The selected applicant will be based in Berlin andshould takepart in the routineand dutiesof the institute.During the course ofthe PhD position, a secondment is planned at Berlin Museum of Medical History.