Interdisciplinary Symposium Examines Breastfeeding across Historical, Medical, Moral and Cultural Contexts

An interdisciplinary symposium titled “Contexts of Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding across Contexts” will take place on 09 May 2026 at the University of Nicosia (UNIC), bringing together leading scholars and healthcare professionals to explore breastfeeding through diverse historical, medical, moral, and cultural lenses.

The symposium is organised by Stavroula Constantinou (Prof. and Founder of the Centre for Medieval Arts & Rituals – CeMAR, University of Cyprus) and Eirini Kampriani (Ass. Prof. of Medical Anthropology & Bioethics, UNIC Medical School). It is held within the framework of the two-year research project (2025–2027) “Maternal Milk: Breastfeeding in Middle and Late Byzantium (8th–15th c.)”. The project, coordinated by CeMAR, is implemented under the social cohesion programme “THALIA 2021–2027” and co-funded by the European Union through the Research and Innovation Foundation.

The event will open with welcome remarks chaired by Zoi Dorothea Pana (Prof., Associate Dean for Research, UNIC Medical School), followed by two thematic round tables designed to encourage interdisciplinary dialogue.

Round Table I: Contexts of Breastfeeding will address perspectives that frame and shape the associated experiences, social imperatives and health orders, including historical practices, perinatal and child health, and local moral frameworks. Speakers include Stavroula Constantinou, Eleni Hadjigeorgiou (Midwifery, Cyprus Institute of Technology), Emily Sharp Joseph (Paediatrics Prodromou Centre), and Eirini Kampriani.

Round Table II: Breastfeeding across Contexts will examine its application, facilitating factors, barriers, and representations in the domains of the clinic, higher education, community health, art and culture. Speakers include Dionysis Vaidakis (UNIC Medical School), Monica Nikitara (UNIC Nursing), Caroline Richany (UNIC Medical School), and Savvas Mavromatidis (CeMAR, University of Cyprus).

Each round table will be followed by discussion sessions, offering participants the opportunity to engage in critical dialogue across disciplines. The symposium will conclude with closing remarks by the organisers and chair.

The event will be held at the Jean Monnet Amphitheatre, Millennium Building, UNIC (46 Makedonitissis Avenue, 2417 Nicosia), from 09:00 to 13:30. Registration will begin at 09:15. A reception will follow the closing session.

Certificates of attendance will be provided.

By bringing together expertise from the humanities, health sciences and social sciences in medicine, the symposium highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding breastfeeding as a biological event, private choice and a culturally and historically situated phenomenon.

For further information, please visit the project website (https://www.ucy.ac.cy/motherbreast/) and contact Stavroula Constantinou ([email protected]) and/or Eirini Kampriani ([email protected]).