The postdoctoral researchers main project entails the collection of diverse data on preventative and curative health programs and indicators for their material impact in several Netherlandish cities, culminating in the construction of a health map concerning one of these cities. A health map is an innovative methodology developed by the existing team that seeks to bring together in a digital environment different disciplines and types of historic evidence on pre-industrial urban wellbeing. It is intended to facilitate research and exchange among scholars working on modern, pre-modern, and global contexts. Currently, much work has been done for Italy (and Bologna in particular), which will serve as a main point of reference and comparison between these two highly urbanized regions.

With regard to the Low Countries, data available for the health map of Ghent are in most advanced stage and can be further developed in close cooperation with several team members, social-urban and medical-cultural by training. Sources attesting a wide range of facilities, policies, practices and material adjustments that impacted the health and wellbeing of the urban community can be mapped and then compared/juxtaposed with other information, such as demographic and socio-economic geographic data, including but not limited to the water systems, artisanal production sites, schools, churches and the presence of animals.

Closing date of the vacancy is 21 October 2019.