Osler Society and Osler Library Board of Curators Essay Contest

Medical students at McGill are invited to explore the historical, social, ethical and humanistic side of their field thanks to a new contest established by the Medical Students’ Osler Society and the Board of Curators of the Osler Library of the History of Medicine, one of the world’s great history of medicine libraries.

The contest gives undergraduate medical students the opportunity to explore any theme of interest to them in the history, social studies, sociology, ethics and humanities of the health sciences. It also provides them with the chance to be mentored by an expert in their topic drawn from the Library’s Board of Curators or elsewhere to complete their project, and to use the rich resources of the Osler Library and other libraries at McGill.  The Osler Society is responsible for promoting the contest and encouraging participation.   Prizes for the best three essays are $1,000, $500, and $250.  The author of the best essay will also receive the Osler Library Board of Curators medal.  The top essays will also be published.

This is a two step process: 

• Submit a 1 page proposal on the topic, stating the issue being researched and potential sources of information.  Include your full name, status (e.g. first year medicine) and contact details.  Proposals are reviewed by a committee and a mentor assigned to assist you in developing the essay.  Before submitting a proposal, students can contact the Osler Library of the History of Medicine for research help.  The due date is February 22nd, 2013.  

• With the help of the mentor, produce an essay of 3,000 words maximum (exclusive of notes, bibliography, appendices, tables) on the approved topic, using the resources of the Osler and other libraries and citing with a recognized citation style.  The due date is October 1st, 2013.  Also submit a one to two page reflective piece describing: which library resources you came to know well due to your research; how your skills grew as a researcher; and how using library material helped you to increase the scope, depth, and significance of your subject.  The due date is October 1st, 2013. 

The proposal, essay and reflective piece should be submitted to osler [dot] library [at] mcgill [dot] ca.

Presentation Students will present their essays on the morning of Osler Day, which is November 6th, 2013.  The prizes, including the Osler Library Curators Medal, will be awarded at the Osler Banquet. For more information, please contact the Osler Library of the History of Medicine, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, 3rd floor 514-398-4475, 09873# osler [dot] library [at] mcgill [dot] ca