International Working Group on Medical Wax Models (Ingolstadt, 9-10 Sept 25)

Medical wax model collections have been the subject of renewed scientific interest since the turn of the millennium. As part of the material turn, scholars in history and cultural studies increasingly study historical objects in museums and university collections. Wax moulages in particular, with their specific characteristics, have attracted attention from medical professionals and historians alike.
A German-speaking Moulages Working Group was formed in Berlin in 2013, following a major international conference in Dresden 2009. Ten years later, at a meeting in Zurich in 2023, the circle of participants was expanded to represent collections from all over the world. As an international working group, we now take the next step and join the newly founded International Association of Medical Museums and Collections (IAMMC) as the International Working Group on Medical Wax Models (IWWM).

We invite you to join us to exchange ideas and network further in Ingolstadt in the afternoon of September 9 and the morning of September 10, before the start of the first biennial IAMMC meeting 10–13 September.

Historical researchers, medical practitioners, as well as custodians, conservators, and curators are all welcome to join the meeting. We aim to address a wide range of questions and concerns relating to medical wax models. Papers may address topics such as
• historical knowledge production and mediation with wax models
• conservation and restoration practices
• ongoing research or exhibition projects
• using medical wax models in teaching, public outreach, or museum education work
• ethical aspects of displaying moulages and wax models in exhibitions and publications

Please submit paper proposals by 31 May to info@moulagen.ch

Practical information:
• the abstract should be no longer than 1 DIN A4, including a short CV and details of your institution
• the conference language is English
• presentation formats – state which one you prefer: (1) a 20-minute paper, or (2) a 5-minute presentation of a collection, museum, exhibition, or network activities
• the meeting can only be attended in person
• IWWM website (under construction): https://www.moulagen.uzh.ch/en/IWWM
• the IAMMC meeting 10-13 Sep.: https://www.dmm-ingolstadt.de/2025-iammc-conference.html

We look forward to seeing you in Ingolstadt!

The organizing committee: Michael Geiges, Sabina Carraro, Eloïse Quétel, Henrik Essler, Eva Åhrén