Dr. Nicola Sugden

Biography

Nicola Sugden is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Science, Technology, and Innovation Studies at the University of Edinburgh, working on the Data Healthcare 'Revolution' (DARE) project. She has a background in the history and philosophy of science, which has significantly influenced her focus within Science and Technology Studies (STS). Sugden's overarching interests lie in the past, present, and future of science, technology, and medicine, particularly concerning identity, normality, moral worth, and justice. Her previous work has examined topics such as the evolution of genetics, psychoanalysis, psychology, psychiatry, as well as issues related to disability, inclusion, and ethics, including reproductive technologies. Her PhD thesis, titled 'Winnicott's Worlds: History of Psychoanalysis and Childhood in Britain, c.1920 - c.1975,' was shortlisted for the Society for the History of Children and Youth Dissertation Prize in 2020. Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh, she was a Visiting Fellow at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in Washington, D.C. There, her research interests included ableism in genetic and genomic autism research, evolutionary hierarchies in relation to childhood, race, and disability in early anglophone psychology, and child-animal comparisons concerning reasoning in science. Additionally, she is interested in theories and practices of science communication and public engagement.

Research Interests

Experience