Sara Read

Dr Sara Read is a Senior Lecturer in English at Loughborough University, specializing in early modern literature, medicine, and women's reproductive health. She holds a PhD from Loughborough University and has held academic roles since 2013, including a REF 2021 impact case study co-authored with Dr Catie Gill. Her research explores the literary and cultural representation of the female body, and she contributes to the Health Humanities Group. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (since 2016) and the Royal Historical Society (since 2019).

Dr Read's research interests span early modern women's health, medical history, and reproductive medicine. She has published widely on topics such as menstruation, childbirth, and disease in historical contexts. Her work bridges academia and public engagement, including media contributions to History Today, BBC podcasts, and historical commentary. She collaborates with the National Civil War Centre to diversify historical narratives and has organized events for the Women’s Studies Group.

Her recent books, including The Midwife's Truth and The Gossips' Choice, blend historical accuracy with fictional storytelling, drawing from her expertise in early modern women's lives. She actively supervises PhD projects focusing on women's health and creative writing.