Nothing will sustain you more potently than the power to recognise… the true poetry of life.”
Sir William Osler (1849-1919), in an address to medical students.
Corpus is a forum for conversations about medicine and life. We publish a range of perspectives on health and wellbeing, especially reflective work which fleshes out the biomedical version of illness and disability.
Corpus is edited by Lisa Dick, who can be contacted at corpus@otago.ac.nz
Corpus was founded in 2016 by the site’s former co-editors Barbara Brookes and Sue Wootton. From 2024 it has been published by Otago University Press with the assistance of the Humanities Internship programme at the University of Otago.
Lisa Dick
Corpus editor Lisa Dick is an author, journalist and editor who has worked across print, radio and television news in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has an honours degree in neuroscience and psychology and is completing a graduate diploma in English at the University of Otago. Lisa has a deep interest in the human side of illness, injury, health, disability and wellbeing.
Barbara Brookes
Founding editor Barbara Brookes is a University of Otago Emerita Professor of History. She has a research interest in the History of Medicine and has published on the history of women doctors, health education film, and the history of mental illness. Barbara is currently completing a book provisionally entitled Performing Medicine which examines the public culture of medicine in the nineteenth century.
Sue Wootton
Founding editor Sue Wootton is a former physiotherapist. She is a poet, essayist and novelist with a special interest in the capacity of literature and the arts to facilitate wellbeing, healing and recovery. Sue is the publisher at Otago University Press.
Disclaimers
Content: Corpus is a medical humanities (interdisciplinary) discussion forum. Our articles are published in the spirit of open conversation about topics of interest to our readers. Our site does not provide personal medical advice, nor promote any particular approaches to medical care. Please consult a qualified health practitioner when seeking help and advice on personal health issues.
Authorship: Each Corpus writer is an independent contributor. Opinions expressed are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the editors or other contributors.
Commenting: Corpus is a digital salon which fosters conversations about medicine and life. As in an actual salon, we welcome critical and constructive responses to the topics being discussed. However, again as in an actual salon—or indeed any face-to-face gathering—we require comments to respect standards of common courtesy. The editors reserve the right not to publish comments which are discourteous, offensive or irrelevant.