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Institute for Medical Humanities
Art by Lonfeldt

Become an IMH Fellow

We warmly invite expressions of interest from Durham University staff and postgraduate students who would like to become a Fellow of the IMH. 

Ways to get involved in IMH 

There are different ways to get involved in the life of our Institute. Researchers from all disciplines and career stages are welcome to join in our core activities on a regular or ad hoc basis. Everyone can: 

  • Participate in research seminars, workshops and public events, offered in person and online  
  • Talk to us about current and planned research in medical humanities  

If you are a member of staff at Durham University and want a closer connection with the Institute, you may wish to become an IMH Fellow.* 

What is an IMH Fellow? 

We are using the term 'fellow' both in its academic designation and in the earlier sense of being 'a companion, an associate, a comrade.' Fellows will be active members of the IMH community, sharing our vision to develop, champion and extend the contribution of the humanities and social sciences to health. 

IMH Fellow status is available to:  

  • Durham University Academic Staff 
  • Durham University Research Staff 
  • Durham University Professional Services Staff 
  • Durham University Postgraduate students and researchers 

What do we offer IMH Fellows?  

  • Research development and promotion 
    Opportunities to showcase and develop your research within the field of medical humanities across the University and externally. We will support you to enhance the profile of your research across IMH digital platforms and at health-focussed University, regional or national events. We will also share funding opportunities and provide letters of support for research proposals where appropriate.  
  • A formal title and recognition 
    A formal designation which can be added to your University website staff profile, CV and email signature. This can also be helpful to add to your research bids and proposals.  
  • Advice and support from our Creative Facilitation Unit, Research and Engagement Team, and Digital and Communication teams, to help you to establish research partnerships, plan and run effective workshops, develop networks and cross-sector engagement.   
  • Networking opportunities 
    Invitations to IMH gatherings and regular Fellows-only events where you will meet researchers from across the University and have opportunities to exchange research ideas, share insights and develop new collaborative opportunities. 
  • Access to partners across the Health, Policy and Voluntary sectors 
    IMH has developed an extensive list of cross-sector partners and can help you to connect with appropriate partners to support new collaborations and research plans.  
  • PGR network access 
    If you are a Postgraduate IMH Fellow we have an active PGR network which gathers for socials and collaboratively plans a series of events. 

What do we ask of IMH Fellows? 

  • That your research and related activity is connected to or aligned with the medical humanities, helping to define Durham's research profile in this field. 
  • That you participate in the life of the IMH in the ways listed at the top of this page, and also potentially in proposing and coordinating activities. If you are a staff member this may include contributing to the MA in medical humanities and supporting wider ECR initiatives.   
  • That you agree to being an ambassador for IMH in University departments and networks: responding to requests for information and championing the work of the IMH and medical humanities community more broadly. 

How to apply 

  • The IMH Executive will respond to all expressions of interest within a month of submission. 
  • Successful applicants will be added to the IMH Teams Channel and Fellows email list. They will have the title IMH Fellow added to the staff profile and will receive information on up-coming events and opportunities of relevance. 

If you would like any more information please contact our Event and Fellows Team on imh.events@durham.ac.uk 

* Honorary Fellow Positions for people external to the University are awarded in line with the University's Honorary and Visiting Titles Policy. Nominations are made via the IMH Executive Committee for individuals external to the University, who have made a substantial contribution to research and research-led teaching at Durham under the aegis of the IMH and those who have a close connection to the strategic research priorities of the Institute.