Phenomenal Bodies.

An ambitious new initiative, Phenomenal Bodies is set to transform the way we engage with historical representations of the human body, placing inclusivity and wellbeing at the heart of the conversation.

Developed by Dr Emily Hanson and Dr Billy Rough, Phenomenal Bodies: Exploring Disability in Scottish Academic Collections involves a coordinated series of gallery displays across Scottish academic institutions running from late 2025 to early 2027. Participating institutions include University of Edinburgh’s Heritage Collections, University of Glasgow Library Special Collections and Archives, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Glasgow School of Art Archives & Collections, and University of Dundee Museums, with plans to engage further partners, whilst facilitating collaboration between institutions and advocacy groups such as Finding Your Feet, and BLESMA: The Limbless Veterans charity.

The displays will focus on historical collections such as plaster casts and anatomical imagery. These displays will be designed with accessibility in mind, shaped by ongoing engagement with individuals and groups who bring diverse perspectives on the human body. By revisiting these collections through the lenses of inclusivity and wellbeing, Phenomenal Bodies seeks to spark dialogue across disciplines and audiences.

University of Edinburgh Heritage Collections : Phenomenal Bodies, 1 August 2025 – 23 December 2025,

From anatomical models and drawings to digital visualisations, the University of Edinburgh’s collections reflect pioneering work to understand the human body. This display explores the history of technologies in the field of disability, highlighting medical innovation and tools for research and teaching.

The displays are complemented by an online exhibition. The initiative offers a model for how institutions, and communities can work together to explore the legacy of the visualized body in more inclusive and responsive ways.

Image Credit: Photograph album, Edenhall Hospital, 1915 – 1960s (LHB52/4/1). Image courtesy of Lothian Health Services Archive, University of Edinburgh