Pre-mature birth is one of the leading causes of infant death. Since the late 19^th century, people have sought to develop medical technologies that could allow babies born before the full 37-41 week gestation period to survive. Success in inventing incubators and other life support systems have allowed the downward extension of viability, but which seem to have reached a floor of around 22 weeks below which a neonate’s lungs were too little developed to survive outside of its mother’s body.

Science fiction, however, has anticipated this difficulty. Books and films, such as Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and the Wachowski siblings’ The Matrix, envision technologies which can incubate a foetus from gestation to birth. The announcement in 2017 by medical technology company Aquawomb of its invention of a “womb-like life support system” suggests that the non-fictional world may soon see such technologies as artificial wombs realised. Birth outside the body may become reality.

This project investigates the medical history and pop culture communication of artificial wombs and neonatal incubators. How have these developed over time and for what reasons? How do cultural representations make sense and use of these technologies? Do neonatal life support technologies alter how parents connect with their new born? How does how we communicate about these technologies affect our concepts of birth and parenthood?

“Birth Beyond the Body” is an interdisciplinary project, ideal for candidates with interests in science communication, history of medicine and (pop) cultural studies. It offers opportunities for archival research, discourse analysis, textual analysis (close reading) and engagement with contemporary case studies. Co-supervised by scholars with expertise in science communication, the history of medicine, cultural history and pop culture studies, the project promises a rich intellectual journey through questions of technology, parenthood and the beginning of life.

Science communication is an interdisciplinary field that examines how scientific knowledge is produced, shared and interpreted across media, audiences and cultural contexts. It explores the strategies and practices of communicating science (e.g. through formats like journalism, social media, museums and fiction) and the dynamics that shape public understanding, trust and engagement. Drawing from disciplines such as communication studies, STS, sociology, history, pop culture studies and media studies, researchers investigate topics including science in culture, representation ethics and the role of scientists. The field aims to critically reflect on science’s social role. Studying science in popular culture is especially relevant for understanding how scientific ideas and ideas and meanings about science circulate beyond formal education and how they shape public imagination, identity and debate.

Eligibility

Admission to a Doctor of Philosophy degree at ANU requires:

1. An Australian Bachelor degree with at least Second Class or its international equivalent, or
2. Another degree with a significant research/thesis component that may be assessed as equivalent to paragraph (1), or
3. A combination of qualifications, research publications and/or professional experience related to the field of study that may be assessed as equivalent to paragraph (1).

Further information relating to eligibility can be found on the ANUs website: http://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/anu-postgraduate-research-domestic-and-international-applications

The Candidate

The successful applicant will have a passion for the history of medicine, science in popular culture, particularly written and visual fiction (film), and for interdisciplinary research – because this project will require bridging the humanities (studying fictional texts, popular entertainment and popular media), science communication (exploring the representation and cultural meanings of science in popular culture) and sciences/medicine. They will have a background in a relevant discipline (ideally history of science, or, alternatively, science communication or cultural studies) and an advanced awareness/knowledge of humanities research methods. They will also possess strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, strong writing skills, and be able to work effectively as part of a small interdisciplinary team and also independently. If the applicant has a background in the humanities, a very strong commitment to understanding and working with scientific concepts (medicine) is expected.

Supervisors

Dr Laura Dawes, Historian, author, broadcaster. Investigates medicine, law and society connections. Passionate promoter of vibrant public history. Expertise in medicine and law, medical fraud, obesity, cancer and public health.

Dr Anna-Sophie Jürgens, studies science’s cultural meanings, comic mad scientists, violent clowns and sci-tech-entertainment links. She explores science-art interfaces, environmental knowledge and humour’s role in sci-comm.

Funding

The successful applicant with be based in the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) at the ANU. Scholarships are available for both domestic and international applicants, and CPAS will work with the successful applicant to guide them through the scholarship process.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, in the first instance please forward a current CV (2-page max) and short cover letter (1-page max) to Dr Laura Dawes (laura.dawes@anu.edu.au) and Dr Anna-Sophie Jürgens (anna-sophie.jurgens@anu.edu.au). In the cover letter, be sure to let us know why you are the perfect candidate based on the skills outlined above. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to a Zoom meeting to discuss their applications further.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis as they are received, and this position will remain open until filled.