Introduction
Each year, the Museum of Health Care welcomes applications for its Margaret Angus Research Fellowship, a project focused on sharing the history of health and health care from dedicated research done by a selected candidate. The appointed candidate, the Fellow, spends the duration of the four-month program researching and preparing a manuscript on their chosen topic, as well as writing a series of blog posts aimed to detail some of their findings. Additionally, usually in autumn, the paper is presented by the Fellow either in-person or virtually, to the delight of the public and professionals alike.
The Museum of Health Care is privileged to have our Research Fellowship named after Dr. Margaret Angus. Dr. Angus’ historical publications and contributions to the heritage community have been recognized throughout Canada. Dr. Angus died on February 15, 2008, a few months shy of her 100th birthday.
2021 Fellow: Savannah Sewell
The Museum of Health Care is happy to welcome Savannah Sewell to the position of Margaret Angus Research Fellow for 2021! Savannah is a recent Master of Museum Studies graduate from the University of Toronto (more information below) and is excited about answering some of the burning questions regarding Museum collections in the age of COVID-19. As you can imagine, at the Museum of Health Care at Kingston, we have been thinking hard about what preserving COVID-19 history at our Museum will look like, and we are happy to have Savannah aboard to help find a solution! While the project is in early stages, here is Savannah’s Project Introduction:
Project Introduction: Material Culture and the Experience of Health Crisis: COVID-19
The Margaret Angus Research Fellowship 2021 will be in support of my pursuit in creating a holistic and human narrative focused account of the lived experience of COVID-19. The objective of this research project is to inform future generations of the every-day ordeals of surviving the COVID-19 pandemic. I will attempt to navigate the trials and tribulations of the constantly changing provincial and federal legislation and policies. Additionally, the continued impact on healthcare, social lives, and education will be studied, as well as the currently unfolding vaccine program. I hope to accession a small number of artifacts in order to support this paper, and create a foundation for future research and body of work surrounding the history and preservation of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Museum of Healthcare at Kingston.
While the project is still early in its development, we are looking forward to hearing more from Savannah in the near future. In the meantime, why not read some of the previous Fellow’s blog series and completed manuscripts, or watch some of the previous Fellow’s presentations (via YouTube). Also, keep a eye on our social media channels for updates on the 2021 Margaret Angus Research Fellowship!
Special thanks to Ian M. Fraser and Janine M. Schweitzer for their generous support of the 2021 Margaret Angus Research Fellowship!
