Guest blog by Dr Paul J Nicholson
The evolving relationship between human and work, from the prehistoric to the present.
Eight years have flown by since I was asked to write my first Art and Occupation article, in the Journal, Occupational Medicine. I was daunted by the prospect of following in footsteps of the series creator Mike McKiernan. While keeping true to Mike’s concept, I brought my own style, and from 2023, readers may have noticed that subject matter began to span centuries and even millennia. Take a look at the articles here.
With SOM’s 90th anniversary on the horizon, it became foreseeable that a second book be produced to follow up the collection of articles in Mike’s Art and Occupation book (see below).
The title Work, Art, and Health: A Journey Through Time was chosen to enhance discoverability and appeal to a wider audience. Chapters span c.5500 BCE to 2021 and are arranged to take readers on a journey through time.
Editorial considerations included ensuring it is as accessible as possible to readers, with medical jargon removed. There is also balance in male to female subject matter and content from artists and museums from around the world (31 countries feature).
One opportunity which was not available when Mike wrote his articles was the Open GLAM Movement - Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums which provide free high-resolution downloadable images. This reduces journal and the book’s licensing costs. So, despite having 23 more images and 106 more pages than Art and Occupation (2022) the RRP will be the same – £45 and with members receiving a 40% discount.
As with Mike’s book, Art, Work and Health, will be published by Troubador. The company specialises in books with high production values. The printer is Gomer Press which publishes books for the likes of The National Gallery and The Royal Collection and is Printweek Book Printer of the Year 2025.
The marketing launch will be end of February 2026; with the book launched at the SOM Christmas Drinks Reception on 10th December 2025 – in time for Christmas and nicely closing off the SOM’s 90th anniversary year.
Dr Paul J Nicholson
Dr Nicholson passed professional examinations in general practice, occupational medicine and aviation medicine while serving in the Royal Air Force. He completed occupational medicine specialist training with Imperial Chemical Industries. He spent most of his career with Procter &Gamble, becoming a Medical Director for Global Medical Operations. Paul was President of the Society of Occupational Medicine, Chair of the British Medical Association Occupational Medicine Committee, and Honorary Assistant Editor of the journal Occupational Medicine. In 2006, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to occupational medicine. He was the Faculty of Occupational Medicine clinical lead for the development of standards and accreditation for occupational health services.
