Report on The 2024 Graphic Medicine Conference

Norko Akiho-Toyoda/豊田典子
Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Japan
1 October, 2024

※日本語記事はこちらから。

The 2024 Graphic Medicine Conference was held in Athlone, Ireland, under the theme “Draiocht,” the Irish word for “magic.” The conference sought to explore how comics can spark imagination and creativity, showcasing diverse perspectives on health, illness, caregiving, and disability.

This was my first time attending the conference, and it proved to be both eye-opening and educational.

PhD Dissertation in Comic Form

One of the most striking moments occurred during the keynote speech by Dr. Nick Sousanis, author of Unflattening, which originated as his PhD dissertation, Unflattening: A Visual-Verbal Inquiry into Learning in Many Dimensions. Written and illustrated entirely in comics format, it was published by Harvard University Press in 2015 and went on to win several prestigious awards, including the 2016 American Publishers Association Humanities Award for Scholarly Excellence and the 2016 Lynd Ward Prize for Best Graphic Novel. Dr. Sousanis’s presentation, available on YouTube, highlighted his groundbreaking approach to using comics as a medium for intellectual inquiry. The fact that such an innovative dissertation was accepted at Columbia University (Teachers College) was astonishing and set high expectations for the rest of the conference.

Programme Overview

The presentations, lightning talks, and poster sessions were broadly categorized into six themes:

1. Graphic Medicine and Healthcare Communication and Education
2. Patient Narratives and Pathographies
3. Workshops on Creating Comics for Health and Education
4. Mental Health and Emotional Well-being in Comics
5. Trauma, Loss, and Grief in Graphic Medicine
6. Chronic Illness and Disability Representation

The most popular category was Graphic Medicine and Healthcare Communication and Education. For example, the presentation “Comics in Medical Education: Three Ways to Apply ‘the View from Everywhere’ to Train Future Physicians” illustrated how comics are being used as powerful tools in medical education. I also attended a presentation on a PhD dissertation in medicine in comics format and participated in two workshops, both led by art therapists. While the workshops were intended to help participants experience the therapeutic effects of creating comics, one session on “drawing a recent tragedy” was particularly challenging for me, triggering flashbacks and emotional distress. Fortunately, a professional counsellor was available for support, and in hindsight, the workshop successfully demonstrated the emotional impact of the medium.

Japan-Asian Team!

Japanese comics garnered significant attention at the conference. Professor Nakagaki’s presentation, “Techniques and Social Functions of the ‘Graphic Documentary’ Style: How Japanese Manga Depicts Health-Related Social Issues”, was frequently mentioned in discussions, and I was approached by many participants. Additionally, “Magical Moments: Reclaiming My Family History through an Analysis of Health in WWII Japanese Internment Graphic Novels” by Kathryn Uchida and Juliet McMullin, was also well-received. Following Professor Nakagaki’s presentation, Japanese and other Asian participants gathered to discuss future collaboration opportunities, highlighting the growing global interest in this field.

Exhibitions and Social Events

The conference also featured exhibitions, art shops, and a traditional Irish dinner. One of the exhibitions focused on tactile comics and adaptations for visually impaired individuals, while a presentation from The Center for Cartoon Studies emphasized the importance of making comics more accessible. The dinner, held at a traditional Irish restaurant, was memorable—though the freezing open-air boat ride to the venue and the typical Irish cuisine were challenging for some, the atmosphere and company made it a delightful experience.

Animation and Medicine

My own poster presentation on the intersection of animation and medicine titled “Animating Medicine: Interdisciplinary Exploration of Animation’s Impact on Healthcare Communication and Education within Graphic Medicine”, did not attract as much attention as I had hoped, largely due to the poster session’s location, which was off the main route. Nonetheless, I was able to engage in meaningful conversations with attendees, particularly those interested in my argument that animation could complement comics in medical education. While the idea was positively received, it seems that the field is still in its early stages of recognizing animation’s potential alongside comics.

The Animation Workshop in Denmark

Prior to the conference, I visited The Animation Workshop (TAW) in Denmark, part of VIA University College. TAW has already successfully integrated animation into medical education. For example, TAW collaborated with a local municipality to create a series of short animation films for diabetes patients, simplifying the material from a 170-page manual into accessible, educational content. This project demonstrated how animation can effectively enhance healthcare communication, offering valuable insights for my own research.

The High Costs in Europe

Due to the weak Japanese yen and high prices in Europe, I opted for an Airbnb accommodation within walking distance of the conference venue. Although budget constraints were a challenge, I enjoyed sharing the house with an Indian tenant working in the medical industry, which provided a unique cultural exchange, though she was not attending the conference.

Conclusion

The 2024 Graphic Medicine Conference was an enriching experience that expanded my understanding of how comics, and potentially animation, can contribute to healthcare education and communication. Although my poster presentation did not receive the attention I had hoped for, the opportunity to engage with global experts was invaluable. The growing recognition of Japanese manga’s role in addressing health and social issues was encouraging, and I am excited about future collaborations with colleagues from Japan and across Asia. Moving forward, I aim to continue exploring the intersection of animation and medicine, building on the innovative work I witnessed at both The Animation Workshop and the conference, and contributing to the growth of this promising field.