Symposium on Social Stigma of Disease

University Club, Traditions Room

The modern image of the medieval leper—disfigured, deeply feared, and socially outcast—has not only become the popular metaphor for social exclusion but also influenced our larger understanding of the disease. This symposium explores the social stigmatization of disease by considering the long-term history of leprosy.

Examining the long-term history of leprosy is still of importance today because it provides a better understanding of how certain diseases acquire negative social meaning.  Many scholars have made the comparison between medieval leprosy and modern HIV/AIDS, with the hope that research on leprosy in earlier time periods will help us recognize and address the stigmatization of disease in our own society.

The panel of speakers includes Gillian Crane-Kramer from SUNY Plattsburgh, James Flexner from Washington and Lee University, Diana French from University of British Columbia, Luz-Andrea Pfister from Arizona State University, Charlotte Roberts from Durham University, and Rachel E. Scott from Arizona State University.

Lunch will be provided. To view the schedule of events, you may reference the attached document.

Please R.S.V.P to IHR@asu.edu