Student Blog Issue #6: Sophie Tallon recounts her experiences in HPS.
This year marks my fourth year at Cambridge. As an undergraduate, I was a member of Homerton College, studying Human, Social and Political Sciences. I absolutely loved the HSPS tripos, and I am incredibly grateful to the supervisors who encouraged freedom and creativity within my work. Throughout this course, I studied Marsilius of Padua’s medieval political-legal theory, religious identity in Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Fanon’s decolonial theory, the quantification of the self, abolition approaches to child justice and more. The course allowed me to learn, experiment, and apply ideas both classic and contemporary, and theoretical and empirical. Notably, I have no previous experience of studying health or medicine!
Drawing upon my previous enjoyment of the sociology of media, I planned my dissertation in the sociology of media, wanting to focus on 24 Hours in A&E. Growing up during COVID-19, the relationship between health and media has always been intriguing to me, and something I had yet to explore. This led me to Medical Sociology, and eventually, the Health, Medicine and Society MPhil.
Reflecting on my undergraduate experience, I think the most valuable lesson I have taken with me is the importance of playfulness. Playfulness allowed me to approach HMS without feeling daunted; I valued the opportunity to enjoy the course, rather than worry that I was out of my depth in new disciplines. I feel most at home when I am able to play with ideas, and an interdisciplinary course facilitates this. I enjoy connecting theories and evidence across different subjects, sometimes imagining myself like a TV detective, connecting different pieces of evidence with a red string. The Health, Medicine and Society MPhil has given me the opportunity to delve into new disciplines and content matter, exploring History, Philosophy, Sociology and Anthropology. The course facilitates idea-sharing across disciplines and encourages both breadth and depth. I have enjoyed this course a lot, and I predict that I will continue to do so! The supervisors, seminar leaders, and subject managers are supportive, and I have been surprised by the commitment to academic freedom. I was met with support and encouragement when I asked to produce my first essay on Virgin Island, a Channel 4 TV show inviting adult virgins to a luxury Mediterranean intimacy retreat. The open-mindedness and collaboration between students and departments across the HMS MPhil is a unique feature of this course, and I have loved it.
Research topics
As mentioned, my first essay considered biomedicalisation theory in the context of Virgin Island, concentrating on the biomedicalisation of virginity within the programme. Despite the slightly unorthodox subject matter, I was supported by my subject manager and supervisor, who provided helpful insight, comments, and encouragement. I wish I could offer an insightful or meaningful description of my research interests in the show, but, honestly, I just love reality TV.
My second essay considered reproductive politics in the context of Lebanon, using the Lebanese debate over civil marriage law as the crux of the argument. I was able to draw upon my HSPS background and utilise political nation-state theory, but reinterpret this through the lens of reproductive governance in Lebanon. The relationship between religion and reproduction was considered, and I was able to reflect on not only the Sociology of Reproduction module, but also on the discussion in the History of Medicine modules concerning the relationship between childbirth, medicine, and religion.
My third essay is grounded in the Ageing in the Contemporary World Anthropology module, and I reflect on my own experience as a twin to challenge traditional, individual conceptions of ageing. I am currently writing this essay, and I am really enjoying the chance to write in an ethnographic style. It is refreshing and exciting to return to anthropology as a Masters student, and reflect on my growth as a first-year undergrad attempting anthropology for the first time.
My dissertation will once again involve a TV programme, which has become a running theme throughout my academic journey, stretching as far back as A-levels, where my English Language coursework analysed fights in Dance Moms. It’s hard to say if this is because I enjoy media theory, or enjoy conducting ‘research’ from a sofa, but I think the answer is a little bit of both! My dissertation marries my interest in media and medicine through an analysis of 24 Hours in A&E. Through this research, I hope to continue expanding my understanding of media theory, the transmission and distribution of medical knowledge, and the consolidation and construction of medical authority. I would like to start to develop a knowledge base in public health and consider the changing landscape of public health in a digital world.
Next steps
It is unsurprising that this course has ignited a deep interest in health, medicine and society in me! Unfortunately, I am unable to pursue a career as a medical or healthcare provider because I would spend the whole time retching and/or fainting! Instead, I would love to pursue work in the policy field.
Throughout this course, I have been confronted with vivid and tangible descriptions of how healthcare institutions shape lives, relationships, and societies. The different disciplines have helped me consider the theoretical and the empirical, macro trends and micro nuances. I will be pursuing a career in policy, hoping my interdisciplinary background will provide me with research skills, open-mindedness, and analytical sharpness to help shape the future of health and social care.