Perspectives on Science
Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine
A new public events series from the Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine brings historical perspective to contemporary issues and concerns.
In the public forums, historians and other specialists speak about culturally relevant topics in front of a live audience at Consortium member institutions. Forum subjects range from medical consumerism to public trust in science and technology. Videos of these events are also available at chstm.org.
In podcast episodes, authors of new books in the history of science, technology, and medicine respond to questions from readers with a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise. These conversations illuminate the utility and relevance of the past in light of current events.
In the public forums, historians and other specialists speak about culturally relevant topics in front of a live audience at Consortium member institutions. Forum subjects range from medical consumerism to public trust in science and technology. Videos of these events are also available at chstm.org.
In podcast episodes, authors of new books in the history of science, technology, and medicine respond to questions from readers with a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise. These conversations illuminate the utility and relevance of the past in light of current events.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 26, 2020 • 28min
Amir Afkhami on COVID-19
Amir Afkhami discusses the history of epidemic disease in Iran, including the current crisis.
Find this podcast and more in the Consortium's series on COVID-19 at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/74
Jun 25, 2020 • 28min
Nursing and COVID-19
Cindy Connolly, Patricia D'Antonio, and Julie Fairman discuss the role of nurses and the nursing profession in the history of pandemics.
Find this podcast and more in the Consortium's series on COVID-19 at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/74
Jun 25, 2020 • 21min
Catherine Burns on COVID-19 in South Africa
Catherine Burns explores the COVID-19 crisis in South Africa in the context of the history of HIV/AIDS.
Find this podcast and more in the Consortium's series on COVID-19 at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/74
Jun 4, 2020 • 1h 24min
Why Go To The Moon
On July 20, 1969, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon. Fifty years later, five nations have sent spacecraft to the Moon and private enterprises are increasingly engaging with its exploration. The advancement of space science, the allure of profiting on lunar resources, and ideas for a permanent human presence on the Moon are raising attention. They also generate controversy and pose challenging questions. Why go to the Moon? Should we go back? Who benefits and who pays for going to the Moon? Join us for a conversation with space historian Roger Launius and historian of colonialism Margaret Huettl and share your questions and thoughts as to the past and future of lunar exploration.
Find this presentation and further resources on the Consortium's website at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/66
Jun 4, 2020 • 14min
Elena Conis on COVID-19
Elena Conis examines how we use history, especially of the polio epidemics, when we discuss the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find this podcast and more in the Consortium's series on COVID-19 at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/74
Jun 4, 2020 • 16min
Nancy Tomes on COVID-19
Nancy Tomes reflects on the experience of being a historian of medicine during the COVID-19 epidemic, and interdisciplinary efforts to respond to the outbreak.
Find this podcast and more in the Consortium's series on COVID-19 at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/74
Jun 4, 2020 • 5min
Dora Vargha On COVID-19
Dora Vargha talks about the role of international institutions during a pandemic.
Find this podcast and more in the Consortium's series on COVID-19 at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/74
Jun 4, 2020 • 15min
Betty Smocovitis on COVID-19
Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis provides us with an introduction to the history and evolution of infectious disease.
Find this podcast and more in the Consortium's series on COVID-19 at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/74
Jun 4, 2020 • 30min
Dora Vargha — Polio Across the Iron Curtain: Hungary's Cold War with an Epidemic
In this podcast, we discuss the history of vaccines and public health with Dora Vargha, author of Polio Across the Iron Curtain: Hungary's Cold War with an Epidemic.
Dora Vargha uses a series of polio epidemics in communist Hungary to understand the response to a global public health emergency in the midst of the Cold War.
Dora Vargha was a 2010 to 2011 Dissertation Research Fellow and 2015 to 2016 Research Fellow at the Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine.
Find this podcast and further resources on the Consortium's website at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/72
Jun 4, 2020 • 30min
James Poskett — Materials of the Mind: Phrenology, Race, and the Global History of Science
In this podcast episode, we talk with James Poskett, author of Materials of the Mind: Phrenology, Race, and the Global History of Science, 1815-1920.
Phrenology was the most popular mental science of the Victorian age. From American senators to Indian social reformers, this new mental science found supporters around the globe. Materials of the Mind tells the story of how phrenology changed the world—and how the world changed phrenology.
Find this podcast and further resources on the Consortium's website at:
https://www.chstm.org/video/71
