We are delighted to announce that the Understanding Oor Mad History course will be returning in January 2026!
Join us for a free five-week community Mad Studies course based in the University of Edinburgh.
Date: The course will start on Tuesday 27th January 2026 and then run on Tuesdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th February.
Place: University of Edinburgh.
Who it’s for: people with experience of mental health issues.
How to register: get in touch with Azra on azra@capsadvocacy.org or sign up on Eventbrite.
Five weeks of learning, discussion and community building. Please make sure you are able to attend every session.
Week 1: 27th January, 10am-3.30pm: Introduction: What is Oor Mad History?
Week 2: 3rd February, 10am-3.30pm: The History of Confinement and Treatments
Week 3: 10th February, 10am-3.30pm: Madness, Gender, Sexuality and Intersectionality
Week 4: 17th February, 10am-3.30pm: Activism Then and Now
Week 5: 24th February, 1.30pm-4.30pm: Arts as Advocacy
A certificate from CAPS will be available upon completion of the five weeks. Participating students will get a pass to access the University of Edinburgh Library, and will work with unique collections from Lothian Health Services Archive.
Feedback from past participants:
“It was a warm, inclusive course that I would recommend as a whole.”
“Some of my best learnings and memories.”
“I learned more about myself from hearing from people who had similar experiences.”
What the course facilitator, Azra, has to say:
“Exploring and exposing Mad History is a powerful tool for reclaiming and projecting the voices and experiences of so many who have been silenced and stigmatised in society. By connecting our experiences, sharing knowledge, inviting discussion and building community, we can inspire change and tread new grounds of social justice.”
How do I get a place on the course?
If you want to join, then please send a message to azra@capsadvocacy.org with a little bit about yourself and why you want to come on the course.
