Associate Professor Slotten's areas of expertise include media and communication history, the history of science and technology, global media, science and technology studies, science communication, media and communication industry studies, and communication and media policy. His most recent book explores the development of the first global satellite communication system: Beyond Sputnik and the Space Race: The Origins of Global Satellite Communications (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2022).
He has held appointments at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was awarded the Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History by the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum two different times (mostly recently for the 2022-23 academic year). He has also received grants and fellowships from the United States National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, the American Historical Association, the Huntington Library, the Spencer Foundation, the Library Company of Philadelphia, the New York University Abu Dhabi Institute, and the Dibner Foundation.
Associate Professor Slotten was the lead editor of Volume 8 of the Cambridge History of Science Series: Modern Science in National, Transnational, and Global Context (Cambridge University Press, 2020) and the editor in chief of the two-volume Oxford Encyclopedia of the History of American Science, Medicine, and Technology (Oxford University Press, 2014). His book – Patronage, Practice, and the Culture of American Science: Alexander Dallas Bache and the U.S. Coast Survey (Cambridge University Press, 1994) won an award from the Forum for the History of Science in America of the History of Science Society. Radio's Hidden Voice: The Origins of Public Broadcasting in the United States (History of Communication Series, University of Illinois Press, 2009) won a book award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Slotten, H. R. (2022). Beyond Sputnik and the space race. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 256p.
Authored Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2020). Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia: A commentary. In H. R. Slotten, R. L. Numbers & D. N. Livingstone (Eds.), The Cambridge history of science (Vol. 8): Modern science in national, transnational, and global context. (pp. 510-518). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781139044301.028
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2020). United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania: A commentary. In H. R. Slotten, R. L. Numbers & D. N. Livingstone (Eds.), The Cambridge history of science (Vol. 8): Modern science in national, transnational, and global context. (pp. 752-759). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781139044301.038
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2020). National scientific surveys. In H. R. Slotten, R. L. Numbers & D. N. Livingstone (Eds.), The Cambridge history of science (Vol. 8): Modern science in national, transnational, and global context. (pp. 124-136). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781139044301.010
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2020). Introduction. In H. R. Slotten, R. L. Numbers & D. N. Livingstone (Eds.), The Cambridge history of science (Vol. 8): Modern science in national, transnational, and global context. (pp. 1-5). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781139044301.002
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R., Numbers, R. L., & Livingstone, D. N. (Eds.). (2020). The Cambridge history of science (Vol. 8): Modern science in national, transnational, and global context. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 844p. doi: 10.1017/9781139044301
Edited Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2019, December). The first global satellite: Communications system: Local and global context. Verbal presentation at the Encounters & Exchanges Conference: Exploring the History of Science, Technology & Mātauranga, Blenheim, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Stenhouse, J., Hsia, F., & Slotten, H. R. (2019, December). Reflections on encounters and exchanges and the global history of science, technology, and medicine. Panel discussion at the Encounters & Exchanges Conference: Exploring the History of Science, Technology & Mātauranga, Blenheim, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. (2018, May). Communication satellites, global history, and the Cold War. Centre for Science Communication, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. R. (2015). International governance, organizational standards, and the first global satellite communication system. Journal of Policy History, 27(3), 521-549. doi: 10.1017/S0898030615000214
Journal - Research Article
Slotten, H. (2015, September). International governance, organizational standards and the first global satellite communications system. Department of History & Art History, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. R. (Ed.). (2014). Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 742p.
Edited Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (Ed.). (2014). Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 653p.
Edited Book - Research
Baatz, S., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). American Philosophical Society. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 50-51). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Bartlett, R. A., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Lewis and Clark expedition. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 630-631). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Bergin, T., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Von Neumann, John. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 564-565). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Bliss, M., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Osler, William. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 212-213). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Boyer, P. S., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Mitchell, Maria. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 121-122). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Carlson, W. B., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Westinghouse, George. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 589-590). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Carstensen, F. V., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). McCormack, Cyrus Hall. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 34-35). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Gossel, P. P., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Welch, William H. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 588-589). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Hager, T., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Pauling, Linus. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 223-224). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Israel, P., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Atlantic cable. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 98-99). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Kleinman, D. L., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). National Academy of Sciences. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 143-144). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Kuznick, P. J., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Conant, James B. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 214-215). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Lindee, S., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Human Genome Project. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 557-558). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Miller, D. L., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Mumford, Lewis. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 135-136). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Numbers, R. L., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Gray, Asa. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 471-472). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Peters, T., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Skycrapers. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 458-459). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Rothenberg, M., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Bowditch, Nathaniel. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 153-154). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Shaw, R. E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Erie Canal. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 330-331). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2014). Berkner, Lloyd. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 119-120). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2014). Eastman, George. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 285-286). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2014). Hale, George Ellery. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 477-478). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2014). Maury, Matthew Fontaine. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 30-31). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2014). Rittenhouse, David. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 388-389). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2014). Van Allen, James A.. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 557-558). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R., & Baughman, J. L. (2014). Television. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 533-538). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Taylor, R. E., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Urey, Harold C.. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 556). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Tomlin, D. A., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Gibbs, Josiah Willard. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 1). (pp. 464-465). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Trautman, T., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Morgan, Lewis Henry. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 125-126). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Walker, J. S., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Nuclear power. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 173-174). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
West, M. I., Knewstubb, E., & Slotten, H. R. (2014). Menninger, Karl and William. In H. R. Slotten (Ed.), Oxford encyclopedia of the history of American science, medicine, and technology (Vol. 2). (pp. 79-80). Oxford University Press. [Encyclopaedia/Dictionary Entry].
Chapter in Book - Research
Laney, M., Slotten, H. R., & Weitekamp, M. A. (2014, January). Aerospace history: Changes in the iield through the eyes of AHA aerospace history fellows. Panel discussion at the 128th American Historical Association Annual Meeting, Washinton, DC.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. R. (2014, June). "Global" relationships, international agreements, and satellite communications. Verbal presentation at the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations Conference, Lexington, Kentucky.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. (2014, January). The Kennedy Administration and the Satellite Communications Act of 1962. Department of the History of Medicine, John Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. [Research Presentation].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. R. (2013). The International Telecommunications Union, space radio communications and U.S. Cold War diplomacy, 1957-1963. Diplomatic History, 37(1), 313-371. doi: 10.1093/dh/dht014
Journal - Research Article
Slotten, H. (2013, June). 'In view of all of the citizens': The Public Broadcasting Act, 1962-1967 [Respondent]. Verbal presentation at the International Communications Association Annual Meeting, London, UK.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. (2013, May). Spatial frames of reference, Intelsat, and the history of global communications. Verbal presentation at the Globalizing Histories of Science, Technology, and Medicine Workshop, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. (2012, October). Spatial frames of reference and the history of global communications. Panel discussion at the 45th Society for the History of Technology Annual Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. (2011, March). Public broadcasting in the United States: The early history. Communications Colloquium at the Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University, New York. [Research Presentation].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. (2011, May). The International Telecommunications Union, space radio communications and US Cold War diplomacy, 1957-1963. Colloquium on the History of Technology, Science and Environment, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland. [Research Presentation].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. R. (2010). [Review of the book Longitude by wire: Finding North America]. Isis, 101(4), 911.
Journal - Research Other
Slotten, H. (2010, January). Communication satellites, global history, and the Cold War. Verbal presentation at the 8th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. R. (2009). Radio's hidden voice: The origins of public broadcasting in the United States. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 325p.
Authored Book - Research
Slotten, H. (2009). [Review of the book Waves of opposition: Labor and the struggle for democratic radio]. Media History, 15(2), 246-248.
Journal - Research Other
Slotten, H. R. (2009). [Review of the book Telecommunications and Empire]. Technology & Culture, 50(3), 725-726.
Journal - Research Other
Slotten, H. (2009, October). Navigating virtual and physical landscapes: Geocaching, locative media, and video games [Panel commentator]. Verbal presentation at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Society for the History of Technology, Pittsburgh, PA.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. R. (2009, January). Crossing borders: Technology and globalization in historical perspective. Verbal presentation at the American Historical Association 123rd Annual Meeting: Globalizing Historiography, New York, NY.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. R. (2009, October). Satellite communications, the International Telecommunication Union, and Cold War diplomacy. Verbal presentation at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Society for the History of Technology, Pittsburgh, PA.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. (2009, July). Satellite communications, global history, and the Cold War. Department of History & Art History Seminar, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. (2009, October). Communication satellites, global history, and the Cold War. Department of the History of Science Seminar, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. [Research Presentation].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. R. (2008). Satellite technology. In S. L. Vaughn (Ed.), Encyclopedia of American journalism. (pp. 464-466). New York: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (2008). Radio's hidden voice: Noncommercial broadcasting, extension education, and state universities during the 1920s. Technology & Culture, 49(1), 1-20.
Journal - Research Article
Slotten, H. (2008, January). Satellite communications, the Cold War and the global context of entrepreneurial activity. Poster session presented at the American Historical Association 122nd Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Slotten, H. (2008, January). Globalization and space technology: Satellite communications, the International Telecommunications Union, and Cold War diplomacy. Smithsonian Institution Contemporary History Colloquium Series at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC. [Public Seminar].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. (2008, May). Radio's hidden voice: Noncommercial broadcasting, extension education, and state universities in the US during the 1920s. History and Art History and Theory Department, Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. R. (2007). Satellite communications, organizational arrangements, and the global context of entrepreneurial activity. In W. J. Hausman (Ed.), Business and economic history on-line: Papers from the Business History Conference Annual Meeting. BHC. Retrieved from http://www.h-net.org/~business/bhcweb/publications/BEHonline/2007/abstracts07.html#slotten
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Slotten, H. R. (2006). Universities, public service experimentation, and the origins of radio broadcasting in the United States, 1900-1920. Historical Journal of Film, Radio & Television, 26(4), 485-504.
Journal - Research Article
Slotten, H. R. (2006). Universities, public service radio and the 'American system' of commercial broadcasting, 1921-40. Media History, 12(3), 253-272.
Journal - Research Article
Slotten, H. R. (2006, July). Universities, public service experimentation and the origins of radio broadcasting in the United States. Verbal presentation at the Australian and New Zealand American Studies Association Conference, Launceston, Australia.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. (2006, August). Universities, public service experimentation and the origins of radio broadcasting in the United States. Department of Communication Studies Research Seminar Series, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Slotten, H. R. (2005). Commercial radio, public affairs discourse and the manipulation of sound scholarship: Isolationism, wartime civil rights and the collapse of the attractiveness of communism in America, 1933-1945. Historical Journal of Film, Radio & Television, 25(3), 371-398.
Journal - Research Article
Slotten, H. R. (2005, July). Educational radio and the rise of the ″American system of commercial broadcasting″. Verbal presentation at the Radio Transnational Conference and Forum, Melbourne, Australia.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Slotten, H. R. (2002). Satellite communications, globalization, and the Cold War. Technology & Culture, 43(2), 315-350.
Journal - Research Article
Slotten, H. R. (2000). Radio and television regulation: Broadcast technology in the United States, 1920-1960. Baltimore, MD, USA: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 308p.
Authored Book - Research
Slotten, H. R. (1994). Patronage, practice, and the culture of American Science: Alexander Dallas Bache and the U.S. Coast Survey. Cambridge University Pres, 244p.
Authored Book - Research
