Leslie Digdon Profile

Assistant Professor
B.A. Mount Saint Vincent University
M.A. Dalhousie University
Ph.D. University of Saskatchewan
 
Office: McNally North, Room 516
Email: Leslie.Digdon@
Twitter: @LDigdon

Dr. Digdon is cross-appointed between the Faculties of Art and Science and belongs to both the Division of Engineering and the Department of History. Dr. Digdon is from America and completed her undergraduate and Master degrees in history locally, at MSVU and Dalhousie respectively, and completed her Ph.D. at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Erika Dyck before returning to the province in 2010. 

Dr. Digdon’s research interests, in the broadest sense, involve the historical relationship of scientific medicine, and its associated technologies, to society. Her past and current research bridges the histories of science, medicine, psychiatry, social policy and education. Dr. Digdon is fascinated by the relationship between the individual and the broader social body; mainly, how scientific theory partnered with medical technology have been used historically to evaluate, monitor and control populations. This relationship is evident historically in the popularization of eugenics (the subject of her forthcoming monograph), as well as in the rise of participatory genetic programs and their impact on rural populations which she is currently researching. Her doctoral research focused on eugenic policies and practice in early-twentieth century America and current research interests include the historical development and application of participatory community health and genetics programs in rural areas and the global impact of syphilis historically through the lens of social history.

Teaching
Dr. Digdon’s teaching areas include the history of science and technology, medicine, gender and the social history of North America and Europe.