Exploring medicine in historical and cultural contexts

We work with researchers and the creative industries to help societies to explore and become involved with biomedical science, its future directions, its impacts on society and the ethical questions that it brings. Alongside support for dialogue and informed debate, we seek to spread the delight and interest many derive from science and its intrinsic spirit of curiosity.

Wellcome Collection enables the public to explore the connections between medicine, life and art. The venue offers visitors contemporary and historic exhibitions and collections, lively public events and debates, and is host to the world-renowned Wellcome Library.

A 15th-century physician's handbook now owned by the Wellcome Library. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

The National Science Learning Centre, the hub for a national network dedicated to revitalising science teaching in schools. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

Children playing on the exhibits at Thinktank, the Birmingham Museum of Science and Discovery. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

A tour of the 'Medicine Now' gallery at Wellcome Collection. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

A blastocyst (formed during early embryogenesis) showing the inner cell mass. Credit: Alan Handyside, Wellcome Images

'Skin' exhibition at Wellcome Collection. Credit: Wellcome Trust

Examples of our support

The following examples are illustrative of the research, training, arts and other events that we have supported.

Placing medicine within a cultural context

We fund research into medical history and humanities and biomedical ethics to tackle global questions such as how disease has spread, how medical knowledge is communicated across time, how illness is managed across different cultures and how ethical issues relating to advances in biomedical science are addressed. The Wellcome Trust Monitor survey seeks to develop a more systematic approach to describing and understanding trends in public interest in, knowledge of and attitudes towards medical research and its associated advances and applications.

Embedding mutual trust and understanding

Our support for film makers such as Geoffrey Smith and his BBC documentary 'The English Surgeon' and events such as Science Saturday at Sheffield Doc/Fest encourages innovation in broadcast media. Our Engaging Science grants programme funds gaming technologies, arts and venues to help diverse audiences understand the biomedical sciences. Events and exhibitions such as Project Facade catalyse informed debate and enable public perspectives to inform policy and practice in biomedical science.

Education Our funding for the National Science Learning Centre and Project Enthuse stimulates a culture of professional development among teachers. We provide education resources such as 'Big Picture' and science kits such as Great Plant Hunt and Survival Rivals to ensure that contemporary science is integrated into teaching.

Opening up information For history of medicine researchers, and for all of our communities, we are maximising the Wellcome Library's global reach as a major resource through digitisation projects, including the Library's archives and Wellcome Film. Wellcome Images provides access to images from antiquity to the birth and development of modern western medicine, with many available for non-commercial use through a Creative Commons licence.

For full information on this focus area, view our Strategic Plan 2010-20. Details of the support we provide to researchers, historians, artists and the creative industries can be found in Funding.