Shaping the Body

The Institute for the Public Understanding of the Past would like to invite you to a public conversation about body image and body shape at the York Castle Museum on 9 June 2016 (6:30-9 PM).

The shape of the human body has varied considerably over the last 500 years as people conform to cultural norms, follow fashion trends, or rebel. Join us at York Castle Museum for a special evening opening of the new Shaping the Body exhibition. The event begins with an opportunity to view and discuss the exhibition with museum curators and University of York researchers, followed by an interactive panel discussion on body shape and image throughout history, featuring experts in fashion history, medical history, and psychology. The discussion will address the following principal questions: 

1. Does modern society place too much pressure on people to look a certain way?

2. Do people understand how lifestyle affects body shape?

3. Should health professionals and other experts actively intervene to promote positive body image?

Guest speakers include cultural historian Sue Vincent (University of York), psychologist Dr. Beth Bell (York St John University), medical historian Alex Bowmer (KCL/University of Reading), and psychologist Glen Jankowski (Leeds Beckett University).

Tickets cost £5 (entrance to exhibition included), and are available from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-the-body-debate-at-york-castle-museum-thursday-9th-june-2016-630pm-doors-open-so-people-can-tickets-22035912006

For more information, see: http://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2016/talks/shaping-the-body