Healing Histories

How do we define knowledge? And whose contributions do we recognise in creating scientific and medical knowledge?

Perceptions of what is considered knowledge and whose contributions are recognised have long been shaped by cultural and colonial power systems. A lasting legacy of European colonialism is a Eurocentric bias that has led to the systematic underrecognition of contributions from the Global South, particularly Africa. This is highly relevant as universities continue to confront colonial legacies embedded in knowledge production, curricula, and research practices.

This interactive exhibition celebrates “unsung heroes” (individuals, communities, and cultures) from Africa and other parts of the Global South whose work has influenced medical and scientific breakthroughs. Through multimedia displays, it will also showcase ongoing decoloniality initiatives across Scottish universities and institutions, including efforts to diversify curricula, knowledge production, and research practices.

In collaboration with the Edinburgh Medical School 300 Project, the exhibition also engages with the local histories of science, medicine, and empire.