REFRAMING ENDOMETRIOSIS
We are delighted to share ‘Reframing Endometriosis,’ a special commissioned illustration from award-winning artist Justyna Green. The piece was funded by the British Academy and Wellcome Trust and based on the ‘Reframing Endometriosis: Power, Politics and Potential Futures,’ hosted at Birmingham City University.
It was the first academic conference to bring together an impressive line-up of endometriosis (endo) social science and humanities researchers alongside prominent (bio)medical researchers, patient advocates and authors. The way endo is framed is key to how it is understood, experienced, treated, and researched. Thus, the conference focused on past, present and future potential framings of endo.
Dr Annalise Weckesser, BCU researcher in Medical Anthropology, was convener of the conference and undertakes research on gendered experiences of reproductive, sexual, and menstrual health inequalities with the aim of shaping practice, policy, and public debate.
Explore this rich, detailed tapestry of an illustration. Justnya herself is an endo sufferer and has won awards for her previous work exploring living with condition. With British Academy support, Justnya attended the conference and has captured key discussions through these vivid images.
To represent the inertia in progress of endo care, the artist used a colour palette that gradually shifts from dark to light. Darker shades are used both in the past (left side of piece) and the present (centre). Lighter shades are only used as we move to the future (right side) with hope for treatment breakthroughs and finding a cure.
Persistent ‘endo myths,’ rooted in medical misogyny and racism, are represented in the piece, including the notion that pregnancy cures endo, the link to ancient notions of a ‘wandering womb,’ and the ongoing exclusion of many marginalised communities from endo care. Images also represent the scandalous underfunding of research for a disease that affects so many, as well as the severe consequences this has on those living with endo.
Pathways to change are represented via images depicting the need to recognise endo as a whole body (rather than a solely gynaecological) condition and the need for truly collaborative research and action that transcends historic and disciplinary silos within the field.
Centre for Social Care, Health and Related Research
C-SCHaRR is a community of health and social care professionals, scholars and students who work together to identify, examine and implement evidence-based high-quality health and social care.
Research is informed and guided through service user’s attitudes, beliefs and experiences and more importantly their involvement in our research through the processes of co-design, co-creation and co-production.