Many of these scientists and physicians, primarily interviewed for their contributions to medical research or clinical care, have also been involved with educational programmes, at home and abroad. These interviews all include discussion of establishing, running, and/or assessing a variety of educational curricula, ranging from undergraduate to specialist.

Harper, Peter

Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics in Cardiff, Peter Harper is a world-renowned geneticist and author. Along with his landmark discoveries in the genetics of muscular dystrophies and Huntington’s disease, he helped to set up medical genetics services in Wales. His book Practical Genetic Counselling (1998) is utilised by clinicians worldwide, and he is also the author of A Short History of Medical Genetics (2008). Knighted in 2004, he was a consultant to the History of Modern Biomedicine Research Group. 

Hodgson, Shirley

One of the first clinical geneticists to specialise in familial cancers, Professor Shirley Hodgson co-authored the first textbook on human cancer genetics, and has worked on several genetic diseases. As the daughter of the renowned geneticist Lionel Penrose, she initially avoided the field and moved somewhat unintentionally from general practice into genetics. 

Parry, Eldryd

After graduating from medicine in the UK during the 1950s, Professor Sir Eldryd Parry was seconded to University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, and went on to hold senior positions in medical universities throughout Africa. He founded the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) in 1988 and introduced the THET and COBES programmes, thereby improving training and retention of medical specialties in Africa. For his contributions to healthcare, he received an OBE and was appointed KCMG in 2011.

Witness Seminars

British Contributions to Medical Research and Education in Africa after the Second World War

Medical Ethics Education in Britain, 1963-1993

The Development of Narrative Practices in Medicine c.1960–c.2000