Sleep and the Rhythms of Life
Description
In the third year of the Covid pandemic, there exists a historical conjunction in which social rhythms are altered, and their impact on sleep becomes evident every day. The pandemic has revealed the deep connection between sleep and social conditions, emphasising the dynamic nature of sleep and its susceptibility to change. Over the past century, changing social conditions have significantly influenced key aspects of sleep. Recent studies on circadian rhythms and sleep, combined with historical insights, indicate that these societal changes have disrupted the synchronisation of biological rhythms with the natural light and dark cycle, resulting in adverse effects on human functioning, well-being, and creativity.
Rhythmicity plays a central role not only in sleep and chronobiology but also in the humanities. This shared concept gives rise to fundamental questions within the proposed multidisciplinary network:
- How has Western modernity shaped and reshaped the essence of sleep?
- To what extent can the human body and mind adapt to different life rhythms, and what are the consequences?
- Why is sleep crucial for creativity and artistic production?
- What would be the impact of studying rhythmicity as a key concept in interdisciplinary analysis?
"Sleep and the Rhythms of Life" initiates a dialogue between the humanities and the sciences, fostering collaborative knowledge generation. Building upon prior work in the medical humanities at the University of Oxford, the project aims to bring together researchers interested in sleep from various academic divisions. By transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries, this endeavour seeks to cultivate an innovative exchange that sheds light on the significance of sleep from diverse perspectives.
Offers funding
No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.
Founding year
2022
Contact details
The Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Woodstock Road
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX2 6GG
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Categorisation
Type
Project Tags
Parent infrastructure(s)
The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH)
TORCH, part of the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford, is a hub for intellectual collaboration and cross-disciplinary research projects. The Centre’s funding, trainin… read more about The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH)
University Of Oxford
The Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Woodstock Road
Oxford
OX2 6GG
United Kingdom
University affiliation(s)
University of Oxford
Oxford
University of Oxford
Oxford
Last modified:
2024-06-14 13:55:29