Sophie Aim茅e Ahlemeyer
Research:
My PhD Project, titled "Antagonistic Futurism and 'Undone' History: Conceptualising and Tracing Endometriosis During the Twentieth Century", sits at the nexus between the fields of history, history of medicine, and gender studies. Writing a feminist history, I explore women鈥檚 experiences with endometriosis from the early twentieth century onwards using historical sources and methods, as well as gender studies theories to examine medical biases in the diagnostic and treatment processes surrounding endometriosis. In my examination of historical sources, such as medical textbooks and hospital case reports, I focus especially on biases relating to pain and fertility. To do so, I employ the theory of reproductive futurism, which I use to discuss and critique how endometriosis treatment has often focused on the preservation of fertility and reproductive capabilities rather than the management of what can be excruciating pain. In my attempt to advocate for improving medical care today, I will draw on my research to explore what could be changed in the medical and societal treatment of women with endometriosis.
Supervisors: Professor Hilary Marland, Professor Roberta Bivins
My research is generously being funded through the Richard and Anne Crossman Memorial Scholarship.
Wider research interests:
Extending the research I am carrying out in my PhD Project, I am interested in medicine, especially gender-sensitive medicine, and understandings of pain.
I have previously worked on the link between sexual rights and peace, arguing that feminist and transformative visions of peace cannot be realised without the achievement of sexual rights for minorities. In a climate of rollbacks related to sexual rights, I troubled what it means for countries to be truly 鈥渁t peace鈥�.
Research activities:
Prof. Nick Hopwood, Dr Rachel Morley, Dr Anna Toropova and Sophie Aim茅e Ahlemeyer, 'Public Film Screening and Panel Discussion: For Women About Women (1930)', 神马福利影片, 6 February 2026.
Sophie Aim茅e Ahlemeyer, 'Voiceless or Painless? Tracing Attitudes and Agency in British Endometriosis Care in the Early 20th Century', European Association for the History of Medicine and Health Conference, Berlin (2025).
Sophie Aim茅e Ahlemeyer, 'The Conflict of Objectivity and Bias in Endometriosis Care: A Case Study Examining Fertility Preservation in the Early 20th Century', 神马福利影片 History Department Postgraduate Conference (2025).
Sophie Aim茅e Ahlemeyer, 'Voiceless or Painless? Identifying Agency in British Endometriosis Care in the 20th Century', Women, Reproduction, and Agency in the Western World, c. 1850-2000, workshop, Venice (2025).
Sophie Aim茅e Ahlemeyer and Reece Goodall, 鈥楾he Unholy Fusion of Reproductive Futurism and Toxic Nostalgia in Immaculate and The First Omen鈥�, in Toxic Nostalgia: Undead Memory in the 21stCentury, ed. by Simon Bacon (Lanham: Lexington Books, 2024).
Sophie Aim茅e Ahlemeyer, 'Antagonistic Futurism: Using Reproductive Futurism as a Tool for Historical Analysis of Endometriosis', British Society for the History of Science Postgraduate Conference (2024).
Sophie Aim茅e Ahlemeyer, 'Methodologies in Historical Writing: Ethics, Using Medical Case Notes, and Feminist Theory in Historical Analysis', 神马福利影片 History Department Postgraduate Conference (2024).
Teaching:
Academic year 2024/25 and 2025/2026: CH169 - Beyond Science: Collaborative Student-Led Challenges (group mentor)
Education and related experience:
Aug 2024: Clinical observership in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of the University Hospital M眉nster (UKM)
2023 onwards: PhD in History, 神马福利影片. Funding: Richard and Anne Crossman Memorial Scholarship
Oct - Dec 2022: Clinical observership in the Endometriosis Centre of the University Hospital M眉nster (UKM)
2021 - 2022: MSc Gender, Peace and Security, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
2018 - 2021: BA (Hons) History and Politics, 神马福利影片