Call for Abstracts: Conference “From Past to Present - Natural Cosmetics Unwrapped”
On
15th February 2018, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society will host a
conference focused on the study of natural cosmetics over time. This
conference is co-organised by the University of Oxford, the University
of Glasgow, Keele University and with the support of the Art and
Humanities Research Council (Science in Culture).
For
thousands of years, cosmetic products have been made with a range of
minerals and organic substances. With the development of long distance
commercial routes, the diversity of cosmetics increased drastically
during Antiquity. In the last few centuries, many such cosmetics have
been produced, marketed, and distributed by the cosmetic industry with
classical influences. For example, the recipes of medical writers such
as Hippocrates and Galen were sources of inspiration. Mythological and
historical figures such as Hygieia and Cleopatra also appeared
prominently on the packaging and advertising. Today, some cosmetics are
still produced exclusively with natural substances and their
advertisements sometimes refer to ancient times.
This
conference will offer an opportunity to approach cosmetics from an
interdisciplinary perspective, incorporating elements from the
disciplines of classics, ancient history, archaeology, bioarchaeology,
pharmacy and pharmacology. Subject areas covered include but is not
limited to the following:
§ Literary and documentary evidence for cosmetics in ancient and historical periods
§ Scientific analysis of ancient and historical cosmetics
§ Reception of ancient cosmetics in later historical periods and in the contemporary world
§ Experimental reconstruction of ancient and historical cosmetics
Abstracts should be submitted using the attached form before 31st December 2017 by email to cosmetics.unwrapped@gmail.
For
those interested, a free workshop on natural cosmetics will also be
organised at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society on the afternoon of Friday
16th of February. More information and tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.
The organising committee
Thibaut Deviese (University of Oxford)
Szu Shen Wong (Keele University)
Jane Draycott (University of Glasgow)
John Betts (RPS)
Matthew Johnston (RPS)