“Spending so much time with a patient who's dead gives you more appreciation for the living.”

A medical student’s first dissection can be an emotional experience: ethical and existential anxiety mixed with awe, wonder and morbid fascination. Join researchers in Anatomy and the medical school to explore how the performing arts might help us understand this complex rite of passage and its implications for future patients.

The event includes an introduction by project lead, Dr Alex Mermikides (D’Oyly Carte Senior Lecturer in Arts and Health), and work in progress performances, based on interviews with our medical students, created by puppetry, magic and theatre artists.

Includes discussion and light refreshments.

• 4:00pm: Presentations and discussion
• 5:00pm: Refreshments

“It was a bit like a trial of whether you'll be a good doctor or not”

“I feel such an emotional connection to her, and I respect her”

The Drama of Dissection project is supported by King’s College London Faculty Innovation Funding and is part of King's Artists, the King's Culture programme supporting artists-in-residence across faculties in the university.

If you have any access requirements, please contact: sciencegallery@kcl.ac.uk or call us on 0207 848 6000.

Image: Dissection of the human body, Wellcome Images

About Science Gallery London

Science Gallery London is a place to grow new ideas across art, science and health. It is King’s College London’s flagship public space that brings together academics, researchers, students, and local communities. We present exhibitions, events, performances, live experiments, open discussions and festivals. Following a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our doors are now open and once again you can explore our exhibitions and events for free.