Many Histories of Materia Medica
Host: MultakaOxford - History of Science Museum
What is it about?
A story-led, participatory workshop exploring the many histories that lead to the creation of a materia medica case, from plants and remedies to the global routes and encounters that shaped how knowledge travelled.
It makes visible the hidden histories inside museum collections, especially how colonisation, trade routes, “discoveries”, and cultural assimilation shaped what we classify as knowledge and medicine today. It also invites participants to think critically about where remedies come from, and whose stories are told.
Participants will take part in interactive activities combining objects, focused activities and group reflection. We will also share our own Materia Medica case, created and inspired by this research project.
The workshop will be led by the MultakaOxford and History of Science Museum staff and volunteers.
Attendees will leave with: a deeper understanding of how natural medicines and knowledge are shaped by global histories; a clearer view of how museum collections can reflect power, movement, and exchange; practical learning and reflection through a welcoming, multicultural space.
About MultakaOxford:
MultakaOxford is a community-led museum engagement project at the History of Science and Pitt Rivers museums, supporting co-creation, shared interpretation, and multicultural learning through collections.
This venue has a capacity of 40.