

Cat Irving - Human Remains Conservator
Jan 26, 2022
Cat Irving, a Human Remains Conservator at Surgeon's Hall in Edinburgh, shares her journey from a childhood fascination with anatomy to her current role caring for anatomical collections. She discusses the evolution of ethical practices in handling human remains and the importance of mentorship in her field. The conversation touches on societal perceptions of death, the emotional stories behind surgical history, and the challenges of conserving unusual pathologies. Cat also reflects on personal well-being and the need for compassion in her work.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Intro
00:00 • 2min
From Childhood Curiosity to Forensic Passion
01:43 • 22min
Ethics and Evolution of Medical Specimens
23:47 • 10min
Exploring the Human Connection to Surgical History
33:33 • 14min
Resilience in the Face of Historical Medical Practices
47:04 • 2min
The Gripping History of Pre-Anesthesia Surgery and Instruments
49:17 • 3min
Exploring Unusual Pathologies in a Collection
52:04 • 3min
Reflections on Passion and Personal Well-Being
55:08 • 2min