First Annual HHH Meeting & Lecture 2026
On 26 March, HHH members gathered in Utrecht for the First Annual HHH Meeting & Lecture. This event is part of the new direction the board aims to pursue, which is strengthening the network function of HHH by organising one larger annual event each year, instead of the two separate spring and autumn meetings. This yearly festive lecture is a moment where everyone can reconnect, share ideas, and celebrate our field.
Round table Lifelong Learning in the History of Medicine
The afternoon opened with a round table discussion moderated by Timo Bolt, which sparked a thoughtful exchange on the current state of (academic) education within the history of medicine and the medical humanities, as well as the direction these fields are taking. Gemma Blok opened the session. She pointed out that all though some (master’s) programmes in the field are disappearing and others are just being established, one thing that is certain is that the expertise of (critical) medical humanities scholars remains essential, in particular for furthering critical thinking and reflection about medicine and health(care).
Building on this, Manon Parry reflected on similar developments in Amsterdam, where parts of medical humanities education have been cut back. These events led to an idea that she has been developing for some time: creating an e-book or e-learning module for medical historians and healthcare professionals, designed to bring together and share existing knowledge in a more accessible and effective way.
Next, Rina Knoeff spoke about a new master’s programme currently being developed in Groningen, titled Medical Humanities in Practice. This international programme, developed in collaboration with universities in Galway, Bratislava, and Ghent, places a strong emphasis on hands-on experience. Students will complete internships as part of their training, preparing them for what may become a new professional role: the medical humanities professional.
Overall, the session was lively and engaging, with participants reflecting critically on both the challenges and opportunities facing the field. Before the start of the lecture, there was a short break for coffee and tea, offering a chance to continue conversations informally.
Annual HHH Lecture by Hieke Huistra – The Living Dead: Donated Bodies in Dutch Academic Hospitals, 1970-2020
As newly appointed HHH board member, Hieke Huistra also delivered the first Annual HHH Lecture. Her talk was based on a project funded through the NWO Open Competition SSH XS, which explores the moral dilemmas medical professionals encounter when working with donated bodies. She carried out this project together with student assistant Marit de Wit, and two other researchers.
At the heart of both the research and the lecture was a central question: what happens to bodies donated to science once they are no longer needed for research or education? The outcomes of the project showed that practices in this area have changed considerably over time, shaped not only by shifting social norms but also by practical constraints.
In the Netherlands, bodies can only be donated at eight university medical centres (UMCs), and historically, these institutions have handled remains in different ways. These practices were often driven by practical considerations. For example, at the Radboud UMC in Nijmegen, the absence of a crematorium meant that donated bodies were buried after ‘the science was done’. Today, however, all donated bodies are transferred to specialised crematoria outside the UMC system.
The question of what to do with donated bodies after their scientific use has run out remains complex and sensitive, largely because of the ethical implications involved. A donated body is not simply an object but was once a living person. During the lecture Hieke highlighted that ways of thinking about these bodies have evolved over time, with growing awareness and reflection surrounding these practices.
It was a very engaging lecture, full of examples and quotes from interviews with people in different roles at the UMCs who worked with donated bodies. The audience was clearly interested, which showed during the Q&A at the end of the lecture.
Gerrit Arie Lindeboom Award
Next, it was time for the presentation of the Gerrit Arie Lindeboom Award, which is awarded every two years by Stichting Historia Medicinae, alternating between a prize for a publication and a PhD thesis from the previous four years. This year, the award for the best medical history PhD thesis was presented.
The jury evaluated five submissions in total, from which dr. Pauline Dirven was selected as the winner. She received the prize for her dissertation Embodied Performances of Forensic Expertise, which she defended in 2024 at Utrecht University under the supervision of Prof. Willemijn Ruberg.
Her research examines how forensic experts seek to establish credibility and construct a professional public image through their work. The jury praised the dissertation for its innovative combination of perspectives. More details about the jury’s assessment can be found here.
Closing remarks by HHH board
The meeting was concluded by Timo Bolt, who shared a few final announcements. HHH recently welcomed Hieke Huistra as a new board member, which also means that someone else will be stepping down from the board: Rina Knoeff.
Rina has been a driving force behind the growth and strengthening of the network. She consistently brought creative ideas for meetings and helped maintain structure during board discussions. The medical history network, and HHH as part of it, owes much of its current status to her dedication and efforts.
Afterward these closing remarks, it was time for drinks at the nearby Grand Café Living, where the conversations continued in a more informal setting. We hope all attendees enjoyed the afternoon and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at our next meeting in 2027!
