Mathew Thomson

Mathew Thomson is a Professor of History at the University of Warwick, specifically within the Department of History under the Faculty of Arts. He holds a BA in History from University College London (1987) and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford (1992). His research focuses on the cultural and social history of medicine, eugenics, and psychological practices in 20th-century Britain. He has been a Wellcome University Award Holder at the University of Sheffield (1993-1998) and has held roles such as Lecturer and Reader at Warwick (1998-2015) before his current professorship.

Thomson's teaching includes undergraduate modules like 'The Cultural History of the NHS' and 'Eugenics Lecture,' as well as postgraduate courses on medical humanities. His publications, including books like *The Problem of Mental Deficiency* (1998) and *Psychological Subjects* (2006), explore themes of mental health policy, eugenics, and the intersection of psychology with societal structures. His recent work examines the NHS's cultural representation and post-war childhood landscapes.

He has contributed to public engagement through BBC documentaries (e.g., *The NHS: A People's History*), museum consultations (V&A Museum of Childhood), and policy initiatives like the British Academy Childhood Policy Programme. His research on mental deficiency policies, wartime mental health, and the history of psychological practices underscores his interdisciplinary approach to societal and medical history.