Historian Elliott Bowen joins us virtually
to discuss his book In Search of Sexual Health\, which explores how
early 20th century ideas about morality\, disease\, and social norms influ
enced the treatment of syphilis in Hot Springs\, Arkansas\, and the wider
United States. At the heart of the book is a compelling case study: the ro
le Hot Springs\, Arkansas\, played in setting national standards for syphi
lis care. \;
\;
Dr. Bowen will open with a talk introdu
cing the key themes of his research\, showing how medical treatment was of
ten entangled with efforts to police sexuality and enforce moral norms. Fo
llowing his presentation\, we'll be joined in person by Tim Nutt\, Directo
r of the UAMS Historical Research Center\, for a conversation with Dr. Bow
en\, connecting his work to the broader history of public health in Arkans
as\, highlighting how regional institutions and ideologies helped shape na
tional health policy. \;
\;
Elliott Bowen is a historia
n of medicine and public health. His research interests center on the hist
ory of sexually-transmitted diseases\, and (more broadly) on the history o
f gender and sexuality in the modern US. He received his PhD from Binghamt
on University in 2013 and was an assistant professor of history at Nazarba
yev University in Astana\, Kazakhstan from 2016 through 2022. In 2022\, he
returned to the US to take up a position as a researcher\, writer\, and c
ommunications director at Knology -- a non-profit organization that produc
es practical social science to drive positive change. Since joining Knolog
y\, he has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications focusing on
libraries and museums. Though no longer in academia\, Elliott maintains an
active role as an independent scholar\, having recently authored studies
of the World Health Organization's campaigns against syphilis and the hist
ory of efforts to reduce the stigma associated with this and other sexuall
y-transmitted diseases. \;
\;
Tim Nutt is currently emp
loyed as Professor and Director of the Historical Research Center at the U
niversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Previously\, he was employed i
n Special Collections at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville as the
Manuscripts and Rare Books Librarian and\, later\, as the head of the dep
artment. Prior to his University of Arkansas work\, Tim was the founding D
eputy Curator of the CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. He co-create
d and served as the founding Managing Editor and Staff Historian of the aw
ard-winning Encyclopedia of Arkansas History &\; Culture while at the B
utler Center. \;
Legacies &\; Lunch is a hybrid program offering participants the opportunity to attend either in person or virtually via Zoom. To participate in person\, join us at \;UA Litt le Rock Downtown (333 President Clinton Ave). Parking is available in the surface lot or the CALS Parking Deck which you can access from Rock Street . Parking will be validated. Bring your lunch\; we will provide drinks and cookies. To participate virtually\, register for the webinar using the bu tton above. This program will be live-streamed to YouTube and the rec ording will be available immediately following the event. If you have any need for accommodations\, please reach out to Danielle Afsordeh at dtafsordeh[at]cals.org or by phone at 50 1.320.5726
\nLegacies &\; Lunch is a free monthly program of CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies about Arkansas-related topics.< /p>\n