Translational Humanities with Kirsten Ostherr
Episode 75 - August 18, 2021
Kirsten Ostherr (Rice University) joins Merle and Lee to discuss the role of the humanities in the context of Covid, in particular in an applied sense. The interview begins with an overview of Kirsten’s project and a few examples of current work in the applied humanities that attempts to address Covid. Kirsten notes how her background has helped her reconsider and reframe the traditional roles of the humanities in this context, and continues to highlight some of the limits and challenges the humanities must face in the 21st century mediascape. She also comments on some ideas to increase the humanities outreach among specific and more receptive audiences.
Further Reading
- Engebretsen, Eivind, Gina Fraas Henrichsen, and John Ødemark. “Towards a Translational Medical Humanities: Introducing the Cultural Crossings of Care.” Medical Humanities 46, no. 2 (June 1, 2020): e2.
- Maienschein, Jane, Mary Sunderland, Rachel A. Ankeny, and Jason Scott Robert. “The Ethos and Ethics of Translational Research.” The American Journal of Bioethics: AJOB 8, no. 3 (March 2008): 43–51.
- “Humanities as Essential Services,” Inside Hire Ed, Kirsten Ostherr, May 21, 2020.
- "Movies have perpetuated racist ideas about illness for more than a century,” Washington Post, March 17, 2020, Kirsten Ostherr.
- The Translational Humanities Project Website.
Our Guest
Kirsten Ostherr
Gladys Louise Professor, English Department – Rice University
