HELLO & WELCOME
DR LARA OWEN
Author | Teacher | Researcher | Consultant | Mentor
My work is concerned with menstruation and menopause, particularly with how they are positioned culturally and the impact this has on the lives of women and on society more broadly. I’ve been working in this field on and off for over 30 years, and full-time for the past decade.
I hold a PhD in menstrual organization from Monash Business School in Melbourne. I’ve researched and taught at several universities, and since 2020 I’ve worked at the University of St Andrews, where I’m now an Honorary Research Fellow.
My first book, Her Blood Is Gold, investigated the influence of culture on menstrual experience, and explored ways to honour the menstrual cycle.
My forthcoming book, Reorganizing Menstruation: Menstrual innovations and the redistribution of boundaries, capitals, and labour, is due for publication in 2024 by Oxford University Press.
TEACHING
Contemporary Menstrual Studies
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MONTHLY WEBINARS
Sept 15, 1-2 pm UK time: Overview of the latest menstrual research across disciplines. A look at the best of the latest research, including five books and twenty-two articles issued 2022-2023, analysis of their contribution to our developing knowledge on menstruation, and discussion on emerging themes.
Oct 13, 1-2 pm UK time: Trauma as a causative factor in menstrual symptoms and syndromes. New data on the relationship between trauma and menstrual health. This is a crucial area of menstrual research, currently getting more attention along with our understanding of trauma more broadly.
Nov 10, 1-2 pm UK time: Update on menstruation and menopause in the workplace. Detailed analysis of new academic papers and new policy initiatives and announcements, including from the British Standards Institution and NHS Scotland.
Dec 8, 1-2 pm UK time: Menstruation & spirituality. Exploring the relationships between indigenous beliefs, nature-based and goddess-oriented practices, the contemporary menstruality movement, and neoliberal and post-feminisms.
Year-long online course
• Join a dedicated group of fellow students and practitioners from around the world
• Receive a wealth of information to ground and inform your future work
• Learn from a pioneer and long-time expert in the field
Registration for 2024 is now open. Please note that PLACES ARE LIMITED and the course is booking up.
The year-long Masters-level course explores menstruation in the contexts of business, feminism, health, history, law, politics, popular culture, marketing, spirituality, sustainability, technology, sport, wellbeing and the workplace. The course is updated every year to take account of new research and social developments.
“I have gained in-depth and practical knowledge in every aspect of the topic of menstruation and a rich and detailed understanding of feminism. I highly recommend this fantastic course.” Andisheh Jahangir, Health Project Officer, Iran
“Lara’s considerable experience, engaging delivery and supportive approach has made this course an incredibly valuable contribution to my PhD studies.” Karen Abi-Karam, Sussex, PhD student, University of Dundee
“Taking this course has been one of the best experiences that one can have as a woman, a researcher, or someone keenly interested in menstruation.” Erika Lizbeth Vega Anaya, PhD student, Tamil Nadu, India
Her Blood Is Gold:
Awakening to the Wisdom of Menstruation
Lara’s ground-breaking book on destigmatising and acknowledging menstruation was published by HarperCollins in 1993 and has since been updated twice. It is now in its fourth edition (2022, Archive Publishing), sells in higher numbers each year, and has recently been published in translation in Brazil (2019) and France (2021). The English language edition was reissued with a new cover in 2022. A Spanish edition will be published in late 2023.
Her Blood Is Gold:
Awakening to the Wisdom of Menstruation
This ground-breaking book on destigmatising and acknowledging menstruation was published by HarperCollins in 1993 and has since been updated twice. It is now in its fourth edition (2022, Archive Publishing), sells in higher numbers each year, and has recently been published in translation in Brazil (2019) and France (2021). The English language edition was reissued with a new cover in 2022.
LATEST
NEWS from Lara
September 2023: This summer was for book-finishing and then relaxing. Now it’s back to work. Monthly webinars restart on Sept 15, and registration has just opened for Contemporary Menstrual Studies 2024.
May 2023: Always a busy month with Menstrual Health/Hygiene Day on May 28. We have our annual Menstruation Research Network conference in Scotland on May 26. On May 19 I’m doing a Zoom event for the 30th anniversary of the publication of Her Blood Is Gold.
April 2023: The first of my new series of monthly Zoom seminars is coming up on April 21st. Reserve your place and find out more at Eventbrite.
March 2023: This year’s Contemporary Menstrual Studies course begins this month, with 22 students from 11 countries, representing all 6 inhabited continents.
February 2023: Two new podcasts this month, one on menarche and the other on menopause.
January 2023: Happy New Year! The next Contemporary Menstrual Studies course is booking up fast. Scholarship applications are now open.
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