Events
We organise a programme of in-person and online events each year, enabling attendees to share and hear a wide range of pharmacy history topics. See below for listings.
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Join us on our Excursions. In 2025, our summer visit is to Cambridge University Library.
Our online lecture series invites world-class speakers to share their pharmacy history research, with an international audience.
Our annual in-person conference has been a key part of the programme since BSHP's beginnings, providing members the chance to share their research through short papers and poster, for delegates to hear from key speakers, to explore pharmacy history venues and collections across the country, and to enjoy catching up with friends and making new contacts.
Online Lectures 2025
Free online lectures via Zoom.
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Missed it? catch up here:
Monday 13 October
6.30 -7.30 pm (BST)
Lucy Jane SANTOS
Author & Researcher
Radioactive Remedies: The Unlikely History of Uranium and Radium in Pharmaceuticals
SUMMARY & BIO There is a fascinating and often bizarre world of early 20th century pills, potions and powders made from radioactive materials. In this illustrated talk Lucy will explore how both uranium and radium were incorporated into pharmaceutical preparations from tonics to face creams in the UK, the US and France and  explain how these radioactive substances were marketed to the masses as essential for health. The talk will conclude with a reflection on why uranium and radium fell out of favour, shedding light on the shifting attitudes toward safety, science, and regulation. BIO: Specialising in the late 19th and early 20th century Lucy Jane Santos is a freelance historian and consultant uncovering the hidden stories of how science and technology have transformed daily life, especially when it comes to innovations in beauty practices.​ ​
Monday 1 December
6.30 -7.30 pm (BST)
Dr Halil TEKINER
Erciyes University School of Pharmacy, Turkey
A Dose of satire: Caricatures Tracing the History of Turkish Pharmacy
SUMMARY & BIO This talk explores the history of Turkish pharmacy as reflected in caricatures from the Ottoman era to the present. Caricatures have long served as both entertainment and a powerful means of social critique, offering unique insights into the evolution of pharmacy. Drawing from rare archival sources, including pharmacy journals, humour magazines, and museum collections, this presentation showcases over 40 caricatures illustrating key developments in pharmacy education, legislation, professional challenges, and public perception. By analysing these visual narratives, the talk sheds light on how pharmacists, medicines, and pharmaceutical practices have been portrayed over time. BIO: Halil Tekiner (b. 1983, Kayseri, Turkey) is a professor at Erciyes University School of Pharmacy, Turkey, and President of the International Society for the History of Pharmacy. Holding degrees from Ankara University, he has conducted research at institutions including Harvard Medical School and Philipps University Marburg. Tekiner has authored 14 books and over 250 papers. His research focuses on medical and pharmaceutical history, medical humanities, and medical eponyms. Also a musician and composer, his works appear in various anthologies.
Annual Conference
The 2025 event has now passed
We are currently planning the 2026 event.
Please check back soon to discover more.