06 May 22. Imagining Imaging

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Dr Michael Jackson is a Consultant Paediatric Radiologist, based at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh. He was a major content developer and contributor to the Edinburgh Imaging Academy MSc programmes. More recently, Dr Jackson has written and published a book: Imagining Imaging.

Imagining Imaging explores the deeply rooted connections between art and radiology, arguing that medical imaging is heavily reliant upon techniques and innovations originating within the artistic realm.

Featuring a diverse range of visual reference points including astronomy, cartography and botany, alongside more familiar paintings, movies and videogames the book offers an academically rigorous synthesis of history, art theory and neurophysiology, whilst maintaining a readable and humorous style throughout.

The book blurb reads: "From Roentgen to Rembrandt, Hounsfield to Hollywood and Vesalius to videogames, Imagining Imaging explores the deeply entwined relationship between art (and visual-based culture) and radiology / medical imaging. Including artworks from numerous historical eras representing varied geographic locations and visual traditions, alongside a diverse range of contemporary artists, Dr Jackson argues that the foundations of medical image construction and interpretation were laid down in artistic innovations dating back hundreds and thousands of years. Since the discovery of X-rays, artists and moviemakers have, in turn, drawn rich inspiration from radiographic imagery and concepts, but the process of cross-pollination between art and science has continued, with creative endeavour continuing to mould medical imaging examinations to this day.

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Blending a unique mix of art, science and medical history, together with aspects of visual neurophysiology and psychology, Imagining Imaging is essential reading for radiologists, radiographers and artists alike. Peppered with familiar TV and film references, personal insights into the business of image interpretation, and delivered in an accessible and humorous style, the book will also appeal to anyone who enjoys looking at pictures."

Dr Jackson has a longstanding interest in the history of medicine and radiology and is Chair of the British Society for the History of Radiology. He is the Royal College of Radiologists / British Society for Paediatric Radiology Travelling Professor for 2021-22.

Dr Jackson’s public engagement work has included two sold-out talks at the Edinburgh International Science Festival in 2017/2018, and more recently filming a patient information video with his childhood TV hero, Basil Brush.