Personal profile
Research overview
My core research at the moment is connected with a REF Impact Case Study called 'Promoting Mental Health Through the Lessons of History'. This project draws upon and informs my ongoing research into the history of psychiatry in Britain and Ireland since 1500. It comprises podcasts, social media, and photo exhibitions, with accompanying talks for the general public, service users, service providers such as psychiatrists, and specific demographics such as prisoners.
https://arts.st-andrews.ac.uk/psychhist
Research interests
Social history of medicine
History of psychiatry
History of literacy and education in early modern Europe
Scottish history
British social and cultural history
British legal history
Population studies (historical)
Other expertise
Scottish culture and identity. Scottish tourism.
Future research
History of Psychiatry in Britain and Ireland since 1500.
Industrial relevance
History of medicine and psychiatry provides essential context for modern policy making about the care and welfare of those with mental problems. More broadly, an accurate idea of understandings and practices around mental disorder in the past can help to contextualise modern medicine and social attitudes, enhancing awareness and empathy, reducing stigma, and promoting resilience.
Academic/Professional Qualification
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
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Asylums: the historical perspective before, during, and after
Houston, R., 1 Apr 2020, In: The Lancet Psychiatry. 7, 4, p. 354-62 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Material culture and social practice: archaeology and history in understanding Europe’s “Celtic fringe”
Houston, R. A., 23 Mar 2020, (E-pub ahead of print) In: European Review. First View, 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Face to Face: Stories from the Asylum
Houston, R., 7 Jan 2019Research output: Non-textual form › Exhibition
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Past and 'Pastism' in the history of psychiatry
Houston, R., 1 Mar 2019, In: The Lancet Psychiatry. 6, 3, p. 206-208Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Prisoners or Patients? Criminal Insanity in Victorian Scotland
Houston, R. A., 1 Aug 2019Research output: Non-textual form › Exhibition
Datasets
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Male Sexual Violence in Interwar Scotland 1918-1930 (thesis data)
Heren, L. E. (Creator), Knox, W. W. (Supervisor) & Houston, R. (Supervisor), University of St Andrews, 1 Dec 2027
DOI: 10.17630/4bc31a61-0ff2-4544-b6f5-fb109c997e90, http://hdl.handle.net/10023/20907
Dataset: Thesis dataset
Projects
- 5 Finished
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Centenary Professorship Nomination: Centenary Professorship Nomination
Houston, R. (PI)
1/07/13 → 30/09/17
Project: Standard
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American Society for Legal History: American Society for Legal History
Houston, R. (PI)
1/10/07 → 31/10/07
Project: Standard
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Suicide and society in N England and Sco: Fellowship - R Houston 'Suicide and Society in Northern England and Scotland, 1550-1850'
Houston, R. (PI)
1/09/06 → 31/08/09
Project: Fellowship
Activities
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Prisoners or Patients?
Houston, R. (Speaker)
20 Jan 2020Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Prisoners or Patients?
Houston, R. (Speaker)
16 Dec 2019Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Engaging the public with the history of psychiatry
Houston, R. (Speaker)
30 Oct 2019Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Prisoners or patients? The origins of forensic psychiatry
Houston, R. (Speaker)
25 Oct 2019Activity: Talk or presentation types › Presentation
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The Royal Society of Edinburgh (External organisation)
Houston, R. (Participant)
Sept 2019 → Sept 2022Activity: Membership types › Membership of peer review panel or committee
Prizes
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Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow, Huntington Library
Houston, R. (Recipient), Aug 2010
Prize: Other distinction
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Fellow of the Royal Historical Society,
Houston, R. (Recipient), 1988
Prize: Election to learned society
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Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Houston, R. (Recipient), May 2012
Prize: Election to learned society
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Invited participant, Folger Shakespeare Library seminar
Houston, R. (Recipient), 6 Mar 2008
Prize: Other distinction
Press/Media
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Interview about my 'Prisoners or Patients?' exhibition at National Records of Scotland with Sally Magnusson on BBC Radio Scotland 'Sunday Morning'
18/08/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Relating to Research
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Ùidh ann am murt eachdraidheil Bheinn nam Fadhla
17/08/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Relating to Research
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Jailed killers who held the key to early psychiatry
1/08/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Relating to Research
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Macabre story of 19th-century Benbecula triple murder told in new exhibition
1/08/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Relating to Research
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Hidden histories of prisoner-patients in Victorian Scotland
1/08/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Relating to Research