Perspectives on Science

Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine
  • 5.0 (5)
  • EDUCATION

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.

  1. FEB 12

    Do Less Harm: Ethical Questions for Health Historians

    In Do Less Harm, editors Courtney E. Thompson and Kylie M. Smith bring together a group of leading historians and scholars to confront one of the most pressing questions in health history: How can we ethically approach stories of medicine and health without perpetuating harm? This thought-provoking collection invites readers into a crucial conversation about the responsibilities of historians when documenting the past. Through carefully curated essays, the contributors explore the ethical dilemmas that arise in researching, teaching, and writing about the history of health care. From patient privacy to the politics of archives, the essays cover how health histories have often overlooked, misunderstood, or misrepresented the people and communities most affected by medical practices. The contributors challenge the assumptions of the field, offering a more thoughtful approach to historical research—one that emphasizes empathy, accountability, and inclusivity. The book raises provocative questions and proposes practical strategies for historians and scholars to do less harm in their work and is organized around key themes such as research, teaching, writing, and public engagement, making it an indispensable resource for anyone working in the history of health care, ethics, or the health humanities. With its engaging style and accessible insights, Do Less Harm offers a fresh and timely perspective for academics, students, and readers interested in the ethical challenges of representing the past. Featuring Courtney E. Thompson, Mississippi State University Kylie M. Smith, Emory University Recorded on February 3, 2026 For more information visit: https://www.chstm.org/perspectives/do-less-harm-ethical-questions-health-historians#80906

    40 min
  2. Trans and Intersex Health from Past to Future

    11/11/2025

    Trans and Intersex Health from Past to Future

    "Trans and Intersex Health from Past to Future" will bring together academics and activists to explore the history of trans and intersex people’s experiences of health and medicine in a global perspective. The discussion will examine histories of clinical practices, state policy, individual identity, and community making in the United States, and beyond. The panelists will reflect on how these histories can help us think about the present, and future, of trans and intersex health. Featuring Howard Chiang, Professor of East Asian Languages & Cultural Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara Dallas Denny, Activist and co-editor of “A History of Transgender Medicine in the United States” Zavier Nunn, Northwestern University Moderator Carlo Sariego, PhD Candidate in Sociology & Gender Studies, Yale University Rovel Sequeira, Assistant Professor of Women's and Gender Studies and English, University of Michigan Recorded on October 9, 2025 For more information visit: https://www.chstm.org/perspectives/2025-history-medicine-week#79804

    1h 14m
  3. Medicine Crossing Borders: Immigration and Health

    10/29/2025

    Medicine Crossing Borders: Immigration and Health

    "Medicine Crossing Borders" explores how issues of immigration, medicine, and health have intersected in the past and present. The panelists will discuss policy, public opinion, and medical practices that have shaped immigrant experiences as both patients and as practitioners. They will discuss race, citizenship, and access to care across time and place, and think through how these histories can help us understand the crises of immigration and health today. Featuring Eram Alam, Associate Professor, History of Science, Harvard University William Lopez, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity, University of Michigan School of Public Health Rachel Louise Moran, Professor, Texas A&M Joel Daniel Olea-Calixto, PhD Candidate, Department of History, University of California, Davis Andre Rosario, Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Nursing, Rutgers University Recorded on October 9, 2025 For more information visit: https://www.chstm.org/perspectives/2025-history-medicine-week#79798

    57 min
  4. Federal Regulations: Progressive Era and Beyond

    10/06/2025

    Federal Regulations: Progressive Era and Beyond

    Federal regulations are typically borne out of crisis. This conversation will examine how policy is set, starting in the Progressive Era and moving into the present day. For more information visit: https://www.chstm.org/perspectives/2025-history-medicine-week#79794

    49 min

  5. 09/22/2025

    Early Careers Workshop #7: Grant Writing Master Class

    Topics: Think big questions and frame them well; crafting your grant; personal experience. Speakers: Gerardo Ienna is postdoctoral researcher at the University of Verona, Italy, and a Marie Curie global fellow (Grant Number 101026146). Simone Turchetti is Professor in history of science and technology at the Manchester University, UK, and PI of the ERC research project “Neworldata”. Recorded on May 29, 2025. For more information visit: https://www.chstm.org/node/79597

    1h 34m
  6. Early Careers Workshop #6: Content and Submission of Book Proposals

    09/22/2025

    Early Careers Workshop #6: Content and Submission of Book Proposals

    Topics: Should I turn my dissertation into a book?; How to find the right press; how to approach editors; how to outline a book proposal; collective authorship and editing; why book series. Speaker: W. Patrick McCray is Professor at the History Department at the University of California Santa Barbara, USA, and a series editor for Johns Hopkins University Press. Recorded on May 15, 2025. For more information visit: https://www.chstm.org/node/79600

    1h 26m

  7. 09/22/2025

    Early Careers Workshop #5: Roundtable Discussion on Collaborative Research & Writing

    Topics: Best practice in communication in teams; different ways of collaboration; are virtual tools a game changer; national styles; are we moving towards “big history”? Discussants: Olival Freire Jr. is Professor in history of science at the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil, and Director of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development. Roberto Lalli is Assistant Professor in history of science and technology at the Polytechnico di Turino, Italy, and PI of the research project “FusEUrope”. Jinyan Liu is Professor at the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China, and vice-chair of the department of History of International Science and Technology. Recorded on April 24, 2025. For more information visit: https://www.chstm.org/node/79326

    40 min

  8. 09/22/2025

    Early Careers Workshop #4: Career Diversity

    Topics: Academic vs non-academic jobs; Work-life balance; gender; transition out of academia. Speaker: Arwen Mohun is Professor in history at the University of Delaware, United States. Mohun has coordinated a working group on career diversity at the Consortium for History of Science Technology and Medicine. Recorded on April 10, 2025 For more information visit: https://www.chstm.org/node/79325

    24 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Perspectives on Science