Dr. Ella Sbaraini

Biography

Ella Sbaraini is an Early Career Development Fellow in Modern British History at King's College London. She teaches undergraduate and master's level modules in History and has a strong academic background, having earned a BA in 2018, MA in 2019, and PhD in 2023 from the University of Cambridge. Prior to her current position, she was a Junior Research Fellow at St John's College, Cambridge, where she taught MA and MPhil courses. Her research focuses on the history of mental health, emotions, and the body in Britain from 1700 to 1920. She is currently working on a book titled 'Quit Life? A History of Suicidal People,' set to be published in 2027, which seeks to re-center the narratives of those who have experienced suicidality. Sbaraini's work also examines the treatment experiences of international patients in British mental health asylums between 1800 and 1918, emphasizing the complexities of patient identities in these care institutions. She broadly studies cultural and social history, exploring themes such as wellbeing, sexuality, food, migration, and the nuances of correspondence throughout the lifecycle. In addition to her academic endeavors, she actively engages with the public to communicate the relevance of her historical research, including its applications to contemporary issues surrounding suicide.

Research Interests