About HoPSIG

Find out more about the History of Psychiatry Special Interest Group (HoPSIG) below.
  • Raise awareness of the value of understanding the history of psychiatry.
  • Encourage research into the history of psychiatry, including the history of the RCPsych.
  • Be a forum for psychiatrists wishing to research HoP, to find others with shared interests and to discuss research ideas and work in progress.
  • Facilitate networking with academic historians.
  • Welcome non-College members who are interested in HoP, including people with medical and non-medical backgrounds.
  • Keep people informed via a webpage and newsletter.
  • Organise workshops and conferences about the history of psychiatry, including about historical methodology and resources.
  • Organise history sessions at annual International Congress, and with Faculties and Divisions.
  • Liaise with, and support, the RCPsych archives department, e.g. producing exhibitions, introducing online systems to facilitate archive access.
  • Graham Ash – Co-Chair 
  • Peter Carpenter – Co-Chair
  • Caroline Hayes – Honorary Secretary, Competition Co-ordinator
  • Tom Stephenson – Financial Officer
  • Francis Maunze – Archivist
  • Fiona Watson – Library and Archives Manager
  • Nicol Ferrier – Newsletter Editor in Chief
  • Lydia Thurston – Newsletter Editor
  • John Hall – Newsletter Editor
  • Mutahira Qureshi - Newsletter Editor
  • Claire Hilton – Honorary Archivist
  • Grace O'Regan – Competition Co-ordinator
  • Gordon Bates – Historian in Residence, Social Media Editor
  • George Ikkos – Past Chair
  • Mohammed Ibrahim 
  • Rachel Jenkins 
  • John Mason 
  • Alastair Robson
  • Angela Rouncefield
  • Marius Turda
  • Wendy Wang 
  • Jane Whittaker
  • Ute Oswald 

If you would like to contribute to the website please contact Claire Hilton.

Please see under Newsletters if you would like to write for our newsletter.

We are also on twitter @rcpsychHoPSIG

Send your research queries and ideas to Claire Hilton if you would like to see them posted on our site.

HoPSIG are delighted to invite entries to their new essay prize. 

Please send entries and any questions to chair.hopsig@rcpsych.ac.uk.

  • Deadline: The deadline for entries is 1 February 2025.
  • Eligibility: The competition is open to a) members of HoPSIG and b) psychiatrists at any level of experience and training and c) academics, researchers and students of medicine, the medical humanities and history.

HoPSIG essay prize flyer

Contact us

If you have any enquiries about the HoPSIG please contact sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk.

Read more to receive further information regarding a career in psychiatry