Medical History is embarking on an exciting new journey. Thanks to the Wellcome Trust, the ownership of this journal has passed to Cambridge University Press. The Press is committed to running the publication as its flagship journal in the history of medicine, related sciences and health, and is keen to offer authors full flexibility when it comes to publishing and archiving their articles. Medical History’s editorial office has moved to the Centre for Global Health Histories at the University of York, which is housed within its Department of History; the Centre and Department are honoured to be associated to this world-leading journal.
Internationalization is a major item on our agenda. Medical History is proud to be associated with regional and international networks of historians of medicine, related sciences and health (we are now engaged in creating coalitions that will bring these associations and their members together in lasting ways). These interconnections will be beneficial at many levels. Medical History will foster greater interactions worldwide between those studying historical aspects relating to medicine, the sciences underpinning the provision of medical technologies and facilities, and notions of health and well being; the journal will be receptive to different arguments and analytical approaches as it showcases the best scholarship. Medical History will create more meaningful interactions between historians and social scientists, thereby encouraging the production of new inter-disciplinary perspectives on medicine, healthcare and health. This scholarship will enrich the energetic discussions, in academic and non-academic circles globally, about the evolving nature of the medical humanities and its role in education, political and medical governance, and society in general. At the same time, Medical History will encourage more globally informed histories of medicine, health and related sciences, which will, we hope, also interrogate what is ‘global’ about medicine, as well as the varied ways in which the history of medicine and health relates to narratives of globalization more generally.
The international linkages shaped by Medical History will also provide unprecedented opportunities for discussion and co-operation between academics and those engaged in policy design and implementation; this, we hope, will be of interest to several of the journal’s contributors and partners. In line with all these changes in management and the new ambitions for the future, the journal will be working with a reconstituted and much expanded editorial advisory board, whose representatives are drawn from across the world, and who study medicine and health from a variety of perspectives. Cambridge University Press and I look forward to their input and participation, as we proceed with our plans to showcase the best scholarship and to stoke further interest internationally in the study of different aspects of medicine and health. I am delighted to welcome Dr Jeremy Greene of Harvard University as the Book Reviews Editor – he brings many ideas, tremendous energy and a deep-seated commitment to internationalization, all of which will contribute richly to the future of the journal. I look forward to the editorship with much excitement, as well as a hint of nervousness in recognition of the fact that I am following the footsteps of past editors such as Bill Bynum and Vivian Nutton, who are responsible for making Medical History the intellectual force that it is today. Our greatest challenge will be to strike a balance between the best practices of the past and new policies and activities that will allow the journal to acquire even greater visibility and goodwill across the world. Medical History is fortunate to have the support of two global powerhouses in the shape of Cambridge University Press and the Wellcome Trust; Jeremy and I are, therefore, confident about fulfilling our ambitions in relation to excellence, internationalization and inclusiveness.
We look forward to working with all of you in the coming years.
