Call for papers
May 16-17, 2014
University of Pittsburgh
This conference, the second in a series of conferences on
world-historical
views of the history of science, addresses the theoretical and empirical
work of researchers in the life sciences, from 1945 to 2000, in the
context
of changing scientific institutions, shifting socio-political regimes,
and
advancing knowledge. The scope of life sciences, for our purposes,
includes disciplines ranging from medicine and biology to psychology and
public health, and we hope to explore the ramifications of these
disciplines in other fields. For both historians of the life sciences
and
world historians, the post-WWII period remains relatively
underexamined. We seek interventions in interpretation of these fields
from scholars based in history, history of science and medicine, social
sciences and natural sciences. In particular, we are seeking papers
that
address any aspect of the life sciences from a global/world history
perspective.
We have developed an initial conceptualization of some main processes in
scientific research and invite paper proposals that pursue these issues
or,
indeed, argue that other processes are of equal significance. We see
the
postwar history of science as a period marked by dramatic advances in
knowledge of the life sciences during a time of increasing international
collaboration. At the same time, new research occurred within a climate
fraught with Cold-War enmities and the suspicions brought on by
decolonization. The institutions of scientific research expanded not
only
through growing universities but through private corporations and the
expansion of national offices to support and direct research.
Postwar researchers and policy-makers in many situations emphasized the
role of science in efforts to bring about development, of particular
interest because of the centrality of decolonization in postwar
years. Concern with development brought about expanded international
connections which saw knowledge shared and transferred through such
mechanisms as brain drains, professional and educational exchange
programmes, and joint research enterprises. Concurrently, global
institutions including the UN, UNESCO, the WHO, and the World Bank were
important actors during this time period and endeavors such as the
International Biology Program and worldwide disease eradication
campaigns
broadened the scale of scientific research. Consequently, the collection
of
global data demanded new collaborations among researchers, funding
bodies,
and scientific organizations.
Key questions of interest include:
- How did these processes affect the development of the life
sciences?
- In what way did new international institutions shape
scientific
development?
- What did the impact of these large global institutions look
like
on the ground?
- How did the science policies of nation-states play out in the
global arena?
- To what extent were local scientific actors impacted by
alterations in the global scientific landscape?
- How did international commercial forces contribute to these
changes?
- What can varied disciplinary approaches tell us about the
globalization of science in the post-WWII period?
- What new insights can world historians obtain from the study
of
recent scientific history?
Beyond these broad questions, comments and suggestions are welcomed on
other aspects of the life sciences after World War II that are
significant
to the conference. This period has received comparatively little
attention
from both world historians and historians of the life sciences and our
hope
is that this meeting will provide an opportunity to bridge some of the
gaps
both within and between these two subdisciplines. We expect to revise
and
refine conference priorities in response to such discussion.
Papers will be peer-reviewed and selected on the basis of individual strength and thematic coherence. In addition to presentation at the conference, papers will be considered for inclusion in a conference volume to be published by the University of Pittsburgh Press (the conference and publication are supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the University of Pittsburgh). Papers not included in the volume may feature in a special issue on international connections in the life sciences in a journal dedicated to global history.
Proposals (ranging from 500 to 1000 words) should include some indication of research methods, temporal organization, and reference to any links between the proposal and the wider global, disciplinary, and historical questions identified in the Call for Papers.
Papers will be peer-reviewed and selected on the basis of individual strength and thematic coherence. In addition to presentation at the conference, papers will be considered for inclusion in a conference volume to be published by the University of Pittsburgh Press (the conference and publication are supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the University of Pittsburgh). Papers not included in the volume may feature in a special issue on international connections in the life sciences in a journal dedicated to global history.
Proposals (ranging from 500 to 1000 words) should include some indication of research methods, temporal organization, and reference to any links between the proposal and the wider global, disciplinary, and historical questions identified in the Call for Papers.
Proposals which
incorporate
interdisciplinary approaches are particularly welcomed.
Proposals are due December 1, 2013 and should be sent to
matsavelli@gmail.com. Those accepted will be notified by January 20,
2014. The conference will be held at the University of Pittsburgh and
we
have secured funding to assist with travel and accommodation expenses.
For more information, see http://www.worldhistory.pitt.edu/
Patrick Manning
Andrew W. Mellon Professor of World History and Director of the World
History Center, University of Pittsburgh
Mat Savelli
Postdoctoral Fellow in the World History of Science, University of
Pittsburgh
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