Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Cambridge (@hpscambridge.bsky.social)

@hpscambridge.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 10:13 AM

We are delighted to welcome Dr Beatrice Bottomley, Assistant Professor in the History of Knowledge pre-1400, and Dr Alexandre White, Assistant Professor in Social Studies of Medicine, who have joined us this year. Find out more about Beatrice and Alexandre’s work: www.hps.cam.ac.uk/news/new-aca...

Introducing our new staff members Dr Beatrice Bottomley and Dr Alexandre White

@hpscambridge.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 12:24 PM

Join us in two weeks for our Third Annual Mary Hesse Lecture, with Professor Catherine Elgin on 'Framing Inquiry'.

📅 22 October, 3.30-5pm
📌 Old Divinity School, St John's College
🍷 Drinks reception at the Whipple Museum, 5-6.30pm

No booking required. Learn more: www.hps.cam.ac.uk/events/hesse...

A poster advertising a lecture called 'Framing Inquiry' by Professor Catherine Z. Elgin. Text on blue reads: Framing inquiry. Professor Catherine Z Elgin. Harvard University. The third annual Mary Hesse Lecture in the philosophy and history of science. Thursday 22nd October. 3.30 to 5 PM. Main Lecture Theatre. Old Divinity School. St John's College. Followed by a drinks reception in the Whipple Museum 5 to 6.30 PM.

@historicaljnl.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 6:56 AMReposted by @hpscambridge.bsky.social

📣Out now on #firstview!

Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh @gianamar97.bsky.social @uvahumanities.bsky.social and Mika Hyman @mikahyman.bsky.social @hpscambridge.bsky.social on 'Cross-Contextualization as Method'

#History #Global #Culture 🗃️

👉Read open access here: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

In 2010, Sujit Sivasundaram published a groundbreaking essay titled ‘Sciences and the global: on methods, questions, and theory’ in the journal Isis.Footnote2 Reflecting on the challenges posed to the ‘global history of science’ by what critics supposed to be a scarcity of sources from beyond Europe, Sivasundaram proposed a method of ‘cross-contextualization’, whereby scarce and unorthodox sources would be read alongside more plentiful, conventional ones. This approach extended beyond merely reading against the grain; it also promised to show how materials produced in disparate cultural contexts could, when studied together, mutually thicken and complicate one another’s interpretations.

@hpscambridge.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 2:32 PM

To celebrate Black History Month, join us at the Whipple Museum for our free Black History of Science Tours, and discover the work of pioneering Black scientists.

📅 7, 21, 24 and 27 October
🕰️ 3 PM (7, 21 and 27 October), 11.30 AM (24 October)

🔗Book your place: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-hist...

A poster advertising tours at the Whipple Museum in Cambridge, celebrating black history in science for Black History Month. Illustrations on a black background depict Mary Seacole, Gladys West, George Washington Carver, and Matthew Henson. Text reads: Celebrate Black History Month this October at the Whipple Museum. Black history of science tours. Various dates throughout October. Join us this October for our black history of science tours and discover the remarkable contributions of black scientists. Explore stories spanning medical breakthroughs, moon missions, advances in agriculture and the art of teaching taxidermy.

@hpscambridge.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 2:50 PM

In curating a special issue for ‘Studies in History and Philosophy of Science’, our Head of Dept Prof Anna Alexandrova, and former HPS Professor Martin Kusch, seek a new perspective on a debate that has recurred throughout history: are the social sciences inherently different from natural sciences?

@hpscambridge.bsky.social Sep 7, 2026, 10:43 AM

Is a chemical element just its atomic number?

PhD student Monte Cairns argues no, in a new paper published in Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.

Read the full article here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...