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History of Science

# Episode Title Description People Date
1 Was there a strategic alternative to the atomic bombing of 1945? Delve into history with Dr Rob Johnson, Director of The Changing Character of War Centre at Oxford, as he explores a pivotal question. Rob Johnson 21 Dec 2023
2 Nuclear Physics and the development of the bomb Explore the history of atomic bomb development with Dr. Georg Viehhauser, Particle Physics Research Lecturer at St John's College, Oxford. Georg Viehhauser 21 Dec 2023
3 How Epidemics End: Introduction Dr Erica Charters (Oxford) and Dr Kristin Heitman (Independent Historian) discuss their research into the conclusion of epidemics. Erica Charters, Kristin Heitman 08 Oct 2021
4 Discussing Penicillin Marie-Louise Kerr, Penicillin Exhibition Curator, Museum of the History of Science gives a short talk for the Oxford University Museums Staff Conference. Marie-Louise Kerr 21 Oct 2016
5 Periodic Tales Author Hugh Aldersey-Williams, historian of science Jo Hedesan and chemist Peter Battle discuss the ways in which the elements continue to inspire us today Hugh Aldersey-Williams, Jo Hedesan, Peter Battle 13 Oct 2015
6 Leviathan and the Air Pump: Highlights Historians of Science David Wootton and Michael Hunter review the controversial book 50 years on Ritchie Robertson, David Wootton, Michael Hunter 28 May 2015
7 Leviathan and the Air Pump: Thirty Years On The historian of science David Wootton reviews the controversial dispute between Robert Boyle and Thomas Hobbes, followed by a reply from Boyle's biographer Michael Hunter Ritchie Robertson, David Wootton, Michael Hunter 12 May 2015
8 The Perfect Theory: A Century of Geniuses and the Battle over General Relativity A discussion exploring Pedro Ferreira's book Pedro Ferreira, Harvey Brown, Alex Butterworth, Javier Lezaun 16 Mar 2015
9 Humanities and Science: Culture and Technology An interdisciplinary discussion exploring culture’s interaction with technology Maria Blanco, Fritz Vollrath, Andrew Wilson, Lionel Tarassenko 16 Mar 2015
10 Observing by Hand: Sketching the Nebulae in the Nineteenth Century A discussion of Omar Nasim's book Omar Nasim, Stephen Johnston, Martin Kemp, Chris Lintott 16 Mar 2015
11 Creative Commons Symposium - The New History of Scientific Experience: Observing, Experimenting, Collecting, Representing and Reading in Early Modern Europe With Professor Lorraine Daston, Dr Simon Werrett (UCL), Dr Rhodri Lewis (Oxford), Dr Sachiko Kusukawa (Cambridge) and Prof Martin Mulsow (Erfurt), chaired by Prof Laurence Brockliss (Oxford). Lorraine Daston, Simon Werrett, Rhodri Lewis, Sachiko Kusukawa 28 May 2013
12 From Alligator Wrestling to Fossil Skeletons: Scientific Eccentricity in the Early 19th Century Dr Vicky Carroll talks about the eccentric tendencies of early 19th-century natural historians. Whether hunting for fossils or wrestling alligators, these scientists certainly had an active interest in their field work! Vicky Carroll 20 Sep 2011
13 Al-Mizan: Astrolabes in Cultural Context A public lecture by Dr. Silke Ackermann, Curator of European and Islamic scientific instruments at the British Museum. Part of the Al-Mizan exhibition which explores the connections between the sciences and arts in Muslim societies. Silke Ackermann 06 Apr 2011
14 Al-Mizan: Mapping the Earth in Medieval Islam A public lecture by Professor Emilie Savage-Smith, FBA, Emeritus Professor of the History of Islamic Science, University of Oxford. Part of the Al-Mizan exhibition which explores the connections between the sciences and arts in Muslim societies. Emilie Savage Smith 06 Apr 2011
15 Telescopes Now Lecture 3: The Gemini Telescopes In the third in a series of lectures by senior astronomers about recent developments in telescopes, Professor Roger Davies talks about his work on the Gemini Telescopes. Roger Davies 03 Mar 2009
16 Telescopes Now Lecture 2: Jodrell Bank, the Lovell Telescope and e-MERLIN In the second in a series of lectures by senior astronomers about recent developments in the telescope, Professor Phil Diamond talks about his work at Jodrell Bank on E-Merlin, and in particular the Lovell Telescope. Phil Diamond 03 Mar 2009
17 Telescopes Now Lecture 1: The William Herschel and the Hubble telescopes In the first in a series of lectures by senior astronomers about recent developments in telescopes, Professor Alexander Boksenberg talks about his work with the William Herschel and the Hubble telescopes. Alexander Boksenberg 03 Mar 2009
18 Science at Oxford in the 17th Century: Boyle, Hooke and others Dr. Allan Chapman lectures at the Sutton Trust Chemistry Summer School, a week long workshop featuring chemistry lectures and lab work. Allan Chapman 02 May 2008