About
We are a team of researchers with a passion for Medical Humanities situated at the Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies, University of Vienna. We are curious about the way societies think and talk about health and illness, the ethical and social impacts of such narratives and images, and the medical/cultural practices that shape our ideas about these topics. As humanities scholars, we also care deeply about the potential of creative work and the arts to help patients, doctors and caregivers.
If you are interested in our current events such as workshops and conferences, as well as our Medical Humanities projects, please get in touch via the contact form. We look forward to potential collaborations!
News
- Apparently Recovered: An Interview with Monika Pietrzak-Franger on her New Visual Study of Long Covid in the polyphony
In a compelling new interview for the polyphone, scholar Genevieve Smart sits down with Professor Monika Pietrzak-Franger at the University of Vienna to discuss her groundbreaking and innovative publication, Apparently Recovered: A Study of Long Covid (original title: “Scheinbar Genesen: Leben mit Long Covid und das Recht auf Hoffnung”). What does it mean to be “apparently recovered” in a healthcare system that is not built to house chronic illness? Breaking away from traditional academic formats, this publication takes the form… - ‘Experimental Pedagogies for Health and Care’ (June 15-16, Vienna) Workshop Recap and Reflections
How can we teach, share knowledge, and challenge traditional academic hierarchies within the Medical Humanities? In the ‘Experimental Pedagogies for Health and Care’ workshop held at the University of Vienna from June 15–16, 2026, we sought to deeply engage with this question. The workshop offered the opportunity for researchers, activists, curators, and artists alike to reflect on how practice-based and collaborative methods can reshape our classrooms and institutions. In a newly published workshop recap from the polyphone, contributors Genevieve Smart,… - “Foto Tonic” with Prof Dr Monika Pietrzak-Franger at Foto Arsenal Wien
Join Monika Pietrzak-Franger for a tour of the current exhibitions at Foto Arsenal Wien, a drink and a talk. “Foto Tonic” When?: Thursday, 30 July 2026, 18:00-19:30 Cost: EUR 15 incl. admission, tour & drink Language: German For: Adults Meeting point: Main entrance / foyer FOTO ARSENAL WIEN Registration necessary. Buy your ticket here. More information: activities@fotoarsenalwien.at - Conference & exhibition “Photo I Brut”: interview on OE1
Radio programme “Leporello” covered “Photo I Brut” on 23 June. Listen to the podcast! Linn Ritsch interviews Monika Pietrzak-Franger (University of Vienna) and Felix Hoffmann (Foto Arsenal Wien) for OE1 on the conference “Photo I Brut . Artistic Practices Between Visual Culture and Health: Museums, Markets and Artists” (17 June 2026) and the Foto Arsenal Wien exhibition “Photo I Brut”. Listen to the podcast: “Photo Brut: Kunst und Ethik” More about the exhibition “Photo I Brut”More about the Lecture series… - Sonderausstellung “Horizontal – Das Krankenbett und die Welt im Liegen”
im Berliner Medizinhistorischen Museum (bmm) der Charité (vom 29.5.2026 bis zum 2.5.2027) — Nichts ist so sehr mit dem Kranksein verbunden wie das Liegen im Bett. Die Sonderausstellung “Horizontal – Das Krankenbett und die Welt im Liegen” geht der Frage nach, wie sich Wahrnehmung und Weltbezug verändern, wenn das Bett zum Lebensmittelpunkt wird. Historische Objekte und Archivmaterialien, künstlerische Arbeiten, aktivistische Positionen und die Stimmen Betroffener treten in einen Dialog, der den Bogen vom 19. Jahrhundert bis in die Gegenwart spannt….