Darwin-L Message Log 4:59 (December 1993)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

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<4:59>From DARWIN@iris.uncg.edu  Wed Dec 15 16:50:34 1993

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1993 17:56:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: DARWIN@iris.uncg.edu
Subject: Conference on historiography of history of science (fwd from HPSST-L)
To: darwin-l@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu
Organization: University of NC at Greensboro

Announcement of a meta-historical conference
that might be of interest to some Darwin-L members.

Bob O'Hara
darwin@iris.uncg.edu

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First circular:  Nordic Workshop:

THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF CONTEMPORARY HISTORY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
AND MEDICINE

Goeteborg University, Sweden, 16 - 17 September, 1994

The historical study of contemporary history of science,
technology and medicine is a rapidly expanding and highly
cross-disciplinary area that engages scholars in fields such as
history and technology of science, history of medicine, sociology
of science, science and technology studies, and philosophy of
science.  Contemporary history also attracts science journalists,
and has the attention of practicing scientists, technologists and
medical scientists.
 The aim of the workshop is to address a number of
historiographical problems that are rarely, or only marginally,
confronted by historians of earlier periods in the history of
science, technology, and medicine, such as:

- is there a qualitative difference between scientists' history
and historians' history?
- does the lack of historical distance prohibit traditional
historical scholarship?
- does the technical complexity of recent science and technology
prevent historians and sociologists of science from doing their
job?
- does the increasing specialization of scientific work prevent
scientists from engaging in historical overviews?
- can oral history and interviews contribute anything
significantly beyond the written sources?
- does the immense volume of published literature make the
historian dependent on electronic databases for reviewing recent
science and technology?
- how do the new information- and communication technologies
effect the access of historical sources?
- is there a place for scientific biography in the history of Big
Science and technology as an increasingly collective enterprise?
- can science journalism contribute to the history of
contemporary science, technology and medicine?

The workshop takes place 16-17 September 1994 in the Humanities
Building, Goeteborg University, Goeteborg, Sweden.  The number of
participants is limited to 30.  A publication with selected
papers is planned.
 The Swedish Council for Planning and Coordination of Research
provides a small grant for the workshop.  A limited number of
stipends for travel and accomodation are available for those who
cannot obtain other funds.
 Inquiries and preliminary applications, including suggestions
for 30 minute papers (.5 page abstract), shall be sent before
February 15, 1994 to: Thomas Soederqvist, Dept of Life Sciences,
Roskilde University, P.O. Box 260, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
***  Fax: INT + 45 46757401  ***  E-mail: thomass@mmf.ruc.dk
Please indicate if you are in need of a stipend.  A second
announcement, including preliminary program, travel and hotel
information, etc. will be distributed to the participants in late
March.

Thomas Soederqvist
Department of Theory of Science
Goeteborg University

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