Anne Marit Mengshoel, Professor at the University of Oslo and member of the Critical Physiotherapy Network, is offering a two-year postdoctoral scholarship in Musculoskeletal disorders: Recovery from fibromyalgia. The project is a collaboration between the university and the EU and allows for the successful candidate to stay for one year in Oslo and one year at their home University funded by the University of Oslo. For further information about the Scientia Fellow postdoctoral program, follow this link. Anne Marit has provided some more information about her research, department and institute: Our department is multidisciplinary, including staff with backgrounds in nursing, … [Read more...] about New postdoc scholarship: Recovery from fibromyalgia
Sociology of bio-knowledge at the limits of life
The March special issue of the Journal of Sociology has a special issue edited by Emma Kowal and the ever-excellent Alan Petersen, from Deakin and Monash Universities in Australia exploring the sociology of 'bio-knowledge,' and so may be of real interest to physiotherapists. Kowal and Petersen's editorial offers a potted history of sociology's interest in the field and provides some very useful references. The editorial is reproduced below, and an index of the full edition of the journal can be found here (link). Sociology of bio-knowledge at the limits of life In what has been called ‘the century of biology’ (Venter and Cohen, 2004), the reach of the ‘bio’ seems limitless. This prefix … [Read more...] about Sociology of bio-knowledge at the limits of life
Three theses on gender and physiotherapy
Gender is an issue that has become increasingly important in physiotherapy scholarship in recent years. The first time research by a physiotherapist that specifically addressed this question was a paper by Anne Parry with what must still be the best title for any research paper ever written: Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did backwards and in high heels (pdf). The paper still resonates strongly with me and has some important things to say about our professions gendered history. Anders Ottosson's seminal work on the 'feminization' of physiotherapy in 19th century still stands as one of the most important works on the subject, but there are other important works too, and these … [Read more...] about Three theses on gender and physiotherapy
Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom
There has been a lot of interest in the problems of anxiety in the media recently. About a month ago, Scott Stossel - editor of the high profile Atlantic Magazine - appeared on the Kim Hill Saturday morning radio show here in New Zealand having written a very moving account of his lifelong battle with crippling anxiety. Scott is a very successful editor and well known personality, so it came as a shock to many people that he had suffered so long (and seemingly managed) with this condition. (You can hear the full interview with Kim Hill here). More recently, Australian writer, singer and broadcaster Sian Prior spoke candidly about her own battle with anxiety. A few days ago, the … [Read more...] about Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom