A collaboration between the King’s Centre for Military Health Research, King’s College London and School of Humanities, University of Bristol as part of the project: Preparing the body and mind for war in the ancient and modern armed forces.
BACKGROUND
Policies concerning military and veteran health, including training and wellbeing management, do not always succeed in maintaining stable mental and physical health after service, as recent studies show – with significantly higher rates of alcoholism, emotional problems, family problems, etc., amongst ex-service personnel versus civilian.
Military and veteran health before and during service needs new perspectives and strategies to enhance understanding and inform policy.
Comparative study across time periods, cultures, and professional expertise can provide a long view on certain patterns we see in ancient and modern military cultures, and challenge normative attitudes and practices.
Through two interdisciplinary knowledge-exchange workshops, researchers and research beneficiaries, e.g. military personnel, healthcare practitioners and wellbeing providers, led by an academic Co-I in the UK Army Reserve Force, will explore the interface between antiquity and twenty-first century healthcare before and during military service.
The interactive knowledge exchange workshops with academics, forces personnel, healthcare professionals and wellbeing providers, from the UK and internationally, will:
- Reframe debates and promote new attitudes concerning military health and wellbeing management.
- Deepen understanding of how military and veteran health has changed over time, and how those changes relate to wider social and historical contexts;
- Gather testimony to find common ground amongst beneficiaries and key influencers, and firm-up partnerships for future work.
WORKSHOP 1: Health, technology and combat readiness Friday 8 March 2024 – online
How far does being ‘fighting fit’ actually prepare soldiers for war and transition back into civilian life? This collaborative project investigates and rethinks military health and wellbeing through innovative comparison between ancient Mediterranean and twenty-first century military cultures.
Are you an academic, researcher, healthcare professional or wellbeing provider with an interest in military health and wellbeing – in the ancient and/or modern worlds? Are you in the armed forces or a veteran?
Join us to discuss the role played by technology in working towards ‘combat readiness’, in the ancient and modern worlds.
Topics for discussion include:
- How is technology used to sustain good health in soldiers, in ancient and modern contexts?
- How has the use of technology in relation to military health changed through time?
- In what ways can technology help or hinder preparation for combat?
- What are the problems associated with technology use in military contexts?
