International, interdisciplinary conference titled:

 

Healing Narratives: Exploring Humanity in Medicine and Healthcare

 

In the realm of medicine and healthcare, narratives- whether spoken, written, visual, or performed- serve among others as powerful tools to humanize clinical experiences, challenge biomedical paradigms as well as foster empathy and understanding. These stories reveal the complex interplay between biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of health, illuminating the ways in which healing is intertwined with human dignity, identity, and societal values.

We invite professionals, scholars, practitioners, artists, writers, students, and researchers from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including but not limited to: medicine, nursing, psychology, anthropology, forensics, sociology, history, literature, arts, film and media studies, philosophy, and beyond, to share, explore and critically examine such narratives. We seek contributions that illuminate how storytelling shapes healthcare practices, influences patient and provider experiences, and fosters social change.

 

We also welcome different forms of presentations, such as case studies, theoretical analyses, posters, comparative studies, and practice-based research.

 

Moreover, we encourage participation from individuals who are interested in attending only as listeners.

 

All panels will be held virtually via Zoom.

 

Organizing Committee:

- Konstantina Kliagkona (EFL & Criminology Teacher, Offender Profiler, Independent Researcher)

- Eleftheria Sevastopoulou (Nurse at the National Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Addictions, Independent Researcher)

- Chrysoula Skandali (Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies, University of Macedonia, Greece)

- Hercules Leontaridis (Economic Analyst, Pixel Art Illustrator)

 

-         Suggested Topics Include (but are not limited to):

 

       I.            Historical Health Narratives

- Stories of healing practices across cultures and/or eras

- Contemporary practices and beliefs

- Stories of scientific milestones

- Responses to epidemics and pandemics

- Evolution of the physician’s role across space, time and/or cultures

 

    II.            Experiential Perspectives in Medicine

- Personal and collective stories of illness, trauma, recovery, and caregiving

- Doctor-Patient relationship stories: empathy, clinical communication, and storytelling

- Narratives of palliative care, chronic conditions and terminal illnesses

- Physical and emotional impact of caregiving

- Narratives of trauma, resilience, and hope in healthcare settings

- Neurodiversity studies and alternative ways of understanding mental health experiences

 

 III.            Representations of Health in Literature, Arts & Media

- Depictions of health in literature, poetry and narrative writing: personal memoirs, fiction, poetry, creative writing, etc.  

- Depictions of health in film, video and digital media:  documentaries, short films, multimedia projects, etc.

- Depictions of health in visual arts: painting, drawing, crafts, sculpture, photography, installation art, etc.

- Depictions of health in performance arts: theater, dance, and performance storytelling

- Artistic responses to disability, illness, trauma, loss and/or aging

- Art therapy practices

- Influence of media and popular culture in shaping perceptions of health and illness

- Music and soundscapes as healing expressions 

 

 IV.            Sociology & Cultural Studies

- Myth, folklore, and traditional stories in understanding mortality and health issues

- Perceptions of aging and vitality

- Religion, faith and spirituality: narratives of divine intervention, miracles, and redemption, near-death and end-of-life experiences

- Migration and health narratives of displacement, adaptation, and resilience

-  Toxic positivity or wellness culture

 

    V.            Interdisciplinary & Theoretical Approaches

- Bio- and Clinical ethics

- Intersectionality in health stories: gender, race, class, sexuality and disability

- Digital storytelling and new media in health communication

- Technology and innovation in narrative medicine: artificial intelligence, virtual reality, telehealth and immersive media for simulating patient experiences, etc.

- The impact of narratives on health policy and advocacy

 

 

Submission Details:

• FOR ONLINE PRESENTERS: Please submit abstracts (up to 350 words) of your proposed 20-minute presentation along with a brief biographical note by 4 October 2026 to both kliagkona@hotmail.com and skandali.chrysoula@gmail.com
• Acceptance notifications will be sent by 11 October 2026.

 

Conference Languages: English & Greek.

NOTE: We will take into account the different time zones to help accommodate all speakers, since the conference will be international.

 

Registration Details:

To take part in the conference -as a presenter or as an audience member- you need to pay a REGISTRATION FEE either via PayPal (http://paypal.me/KonstantinaKliagkona), Revolut or other bank transfer:

 

• PRESENTERS: EUR 25 or USD 30 or GBP 25- by 19 October 2026
• A special discount is provided to students who wish to virtually present at the conference at EUR 20 or USD 25 or GBP 20.

 

• AUDIENCE MEMBERS: EUR 10 or USD 15 or GBP 10 - by 26 October 2026

 

The registration for the online conference grants:

- LIVE access to all online conference sessions via individual link sent prior to the conference date (without the need to install any additional applications)

- Compatibility with any device (e.g. computer, tablet and phone) with the flexibility to join or leave the sessions at any time

- The conference programme in a PDF format

- A receipt and a certificate of attendance for all conference participants (both Presenters and Audience Members) sent by email

- Networking opportunities

 

Banking Details (3 options are available):

• 1st Option:

Beneficiary name: KLIAGKONA KONSTANTINA DIMITRIOS

Beneficiary Bank name: EUROBANK ERGASIAS

SWIFT/BIC: ERBKGRAA

Bank Address: 8 Othonos Street, Athens, Greece

Post Code: 10557

Beneficiary Bank account number (IBAN): GR40 0260 1250 0008 4020 1361 923

 

• 2nd Option:

Beneficiary name: KLIAGKONA KONSTANTINA DIMITRIOS

Beneficiary Bank name: PIRAEUS

SWIFT/BIC: PIRBGRAA

Bank Address: 4 Amerikis Street, Athens, Greece

Post Code: 10564

Beneficiary Bank account number (IBAN): GR29 0172 2640 0052 6411 0155 048

 

• 3rd Option:

Beneficiary name: KONSTANTINA KLIAGKONA

Beneficiary Bank name: REVOLUT BANK UAB

SWIFT/BIC: REVOLT21

Bank Address: Konstitucijos ave. 21B, Vilnius, Lithuania

Post Code: 08130

Beneficiary Bank account number (IBAN): LT22 3250 0260 1140 9578

Revtag: @kkliagkona

 

Please quote your first and last name, state if you are a presenter or an audience member as well as a note "conference on med humanities" in the description field. All banking charges are to be covered by the Sender. 

 

For more details, please check our website: www.knflames.gr

 

We are looking forward to your participation!

 

 

Business Details:

COMPANY NAME: Kliagkona Konstantina Dimitrios- “K.N.: F.L.A.ME.S.” [Forensic, Literature, Arts & Media Studies]

(Independent Researcher, Freelancer EFL, Criminology Teacher, & Offender Profiler- ORCID: 0009-0004-6529-4983)

SERVICES: Foreign Language Education via Computer and Vocational Training (Business Activity Code Numbers: 85591101 and 85591300)

HEADQUARTERS: Municipality of Pavlos Melas, Thessaloniki, Greece

ZIPCODE: 56431, VAT No.: 157782911, TAX: Ampelokipoi

COMPANY WEBSITE: www.knflames.gr

COMPANY EMAILS: kkliagkona@knflames.gr, kliagkona@hotmail.com