Academic Lecturing

The Swedish Pharmaceutical Society

Apotekarsocieteten, the Swedish Pharmaceutical Society, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing knowledge within the pharmaceutical field. With roots extending back to the 17th century, it brings together professionals across pharmacy, research and healthcare. Alongside its scientific and educational activities, the Society maintains a museum and library in Stockholm.

On October 21, 2026, I will give the lecture Materia Animalis for the Society’s members, exploring the shared histories of animal-derived materials in perfumery and pharmacy. Through ingredients such as musk, ambergris, civet and castoreum, the lecture will examine how the same substances have been valued as both medicinal remedies and perfume materials. Bringing together material and cultural history, it will trace the connections between the apothecary’s preparations and the perfumer’s palette, exploring how their uses and meanings have changed over time.