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Pitner Presents at International Conference on Disabilities in Early China

Elmira, NY (05/17/2021) — Dr. Mark Pitner, associate professor of history at Elmira College, presented at the international workshop "OTHER BODIES: Disability and Bodily Impairment in Early and Medieval China" hosted by the Needham Research Institute and Cambridge University.

The workshop, held virtually, brought together the leading scholars in the field of the history of disabilities in Early China to discuss a range of basic questions and examine topics relating to disability and bodily impairment in early and medieval Chinese history, with a focus on their socio-political implications. Drawing on the field of Disability History, they examined 'disability' not merely as an individual ailment but as a social construct, which in turn helped shed light on the cultural values and worldviews of a given society.

"The workshop was an invaluable opportunity for those working on the history of disability in early China to see where we all stood on a number of very challenging topics," said Pitner. "The fact that the workshop had to be virtual due to the pandemic had the advantage of opening up the discussion to the world. And it did. It was very well attended."

Pitner's talk was titled "Defining disability: a review of the language and terminology used to describe and define disability in early China." This builds on other work Pitner has published in this field and relates to another project he is just completing "Disability in Early China: ideal and law."

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Dr. Mark Pitner, associate professor of history at Elmira College, presented at the international workshop “OTHER BODIES: Disability and Bodily Impairment in Early and Medieval China” hosted by the Needham Research Institute and Cambridge University.

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