PhD Studentship: Sir Geoffrey Jefferson (1886-1961) and the making of British neurosurgery (history of medicine)

Project description: This studentship, based in the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM), will develop a comprehensive understanding of the history of neurology in Manchester across the twentieth century. Research will examine the work of neurosurgeon Sir Geoffrey Jefferson (1886-1961) and his collaborators, including Dorothy Davison (1890-1984), an important figure in the art of medical illustration. Jefferson published many important works such as those on fractures of the atlas vertebra (often referred to as Jefferson's Fracture), and in 1924 performed the first successful embolectomy in Britain. Holding several surgical positions in the Manchester area, Jefferson took up the first neurosurgical chair in England at The University of Manchester and Director of the Neurological Laboratories in 1945 before being elected to the Royal Society in 1947. Dorothy Davison trained at the Manchester School of Art and entered the field of medical illustration through work done on Egyptology at the Manchester Museum. Well known for her neurological, orthopaedic and haematological paintings, Davison produced several illustrations for Jefferson whilst working at the MRI and The University of Manchester. She was a pioneer in the field, and in 1939 was appointed Medical Artist by The University of Manchester, training a new generation of medical artists.

This project will explore Jefferson’s work across clinical research, neurosurgery and medicine, as well as his formative role in shaping the British neurology through contributions to the work of the Medical Research Council (as the Chairman of its Clinical Research Committee), thereby reconstructing his legacy and continued influence. In 2021, The University of Manchester launched the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre which conducts ground breaking research to tackle some of medical science’s most devastating conditions. The launch of the centre demonstrates the continued influence of Jefferson’s work and Manchester’s contribution to the advancement of neurological research.

Qualifications/Experience:

Essential qualifications:

• BA and MA in a historical area that demonstrates research expertise pertinent to this project, for example history of science, technology or medicine.

• a strong grasp of recent historiographical debates pertinent to the project, including those linked to health and medicine in the late nineteenth through twentieth century.

• the ability to understand and engage quickly with new historiographical debates and with the arguments and approaches adopted in allied fields, and to frame research findings within a variety of historiographical and methodological contexts;
• excellent analytical and writing skills;

• experience of working with empirical sources in archives, libraries and other collections;

• excellent organisational skills;

• ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Desired qualifications:

• experience of oral history and the ability to work with varied forms of historical evidence (e.g. text, visual and material)

• experience of organising conferences and/or other events;

• experience of promoting research via websites and social media;

• experience of managing and analysing large sets of data and use of databases/digital analytical software (for example NVivo)

Studentship details: We are pleased to offer a studentship to support this project starting in September 2023.  The studentship will cover Home fees and provide a tax-free stipend (amount to be confirmed for 2023/24).

Contact for further information:

Please contact Dr Robert Kirk (Robert.G.Kirk@manchester.ac.uk) for further information about the project or to make an informal enquiry.

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