Congrats to Martin Halliwell on his John Maynard Keynes Fellowship in US Studies

Issued by University of Leicester Press Office on 4 October 2013

Images of Professor Halliwell’s publications available from pt91@le.ac.uk

A University of Leicester expert on the United States has taken up a prominent research fellowship at one of the UK’s leading American Studies institutes.

Professor Martin Halliwell, the University’s Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), has become the first holder of the newly-established ‘John Maynard Keynes Fellowship in US Studies’ at University College London’s Institute of the Americas.

Professor Halliwell, of the University of Leicester’s School of English and the Centre for American Studies, will undertake a new research project entitled Voices of Health and Illness: Medicine, Psychiatry, and American Culture,1970–2000 during his tenure as John Maynard Keynes Fellow.

He will carry out the research while working in his newly-appointed role as Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Leicester.

His fellowship will last from October 2013 to December 2014, and his research will develop the archive work he did for his recently published book Therapeutic Revolutions: Medicine, Psychiatry, and American Culture, 1945–1970 (Rutgers University Press, 2013).

Professor Halliwell has written extensively on American culture, and published books covering everything from the global United States in the 21st century to the history of Progressive Rock.

Between 2010 and 2013 he was the 18th Chair of the British Association for American Studies, and he is now the UK Representative for the European Association for American Studies and the International American Studies Association.

Professor Halliwell said: “It is a great honour to accept this prestigious visiting professorship at the Institute of the Americas.

“The focus of the Institute on the whole of the Americas – the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean – is ideal for my research project’s study of mental health issues between the Nixon and Clinton administrations within the context of broader health concerns, especially south of the US border and in terms of ethnicity within the United States.

“There has never been a more important time to rethink the cultural and social implications of mental illness, particularly with current debates about stigma in the UK and US press, and recent data suggesting that up to a quarter of the US population is suffering from diagnosable forms of mental illness, with another quarter likely to experience mental health problems at some point in their lives. In this regard I am very pleased to see that my university is making a Mental Health Pledge on World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

 

‘Therapeutic Revolutions: Medicine, Psychiatry and American Culture, 1945-1970’ by Professor Martin Halliwell

“Holding the John Maynard Keynes Fellowship in 2013–14 will be important for me as I extend the historical frame of my recently published book Therapeutic Revolutions, in order to better understand the policy issues that impacted upon mental health provision and the experiences of patients during the last thirty years of the twentieth century.”

Professor Maxine Molyneux, Director of the Institute of the Americas said: “University College London’s Institute of the Americas is proud to announce that Professor Martin Halliwell of the University of Leicester is to be the first ever holder of our newly established John Maynard Keynes Fellowship in US Studies.

“This is due recognition for Professor Halliwell’s service to the American Studies community both as Chair of the British Association for American Studies and as a distinguished researcher with world class publications to his name.”

Martin Halliwell is one of three University of Leicester academics who have been recently appointed as Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellors.

He joins Professor Andy Abbott from the Department of Chemistry, who will take on a portfolio of Enterprise projects, and Professor Stephen Hall from the Department of Economics, who will take on a portfolio of Estates projects.

Professor Halliwell will take over as the senior academic leading on international work from Professor Douglas Tallack, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), who retired in June.

Professor Douglas Tallack said: “Martin Halliwell has already shown great international acumen and an ability to engage with overseas universities within the College of Arts, Humanities and Law.

“In taking over as the senior academic leading on vital international activities for the whole University, he will work closely with International Office, academic Departments and Colleges.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

Professor Halliwell can be contacted on (0)116 252 2645 or at: mrh17@le.ac.uk

More information about Professor Halliwell can be found at: http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/english/people/martinhalliwell and http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/vc/deputy-pvcs