Science historian has lead role in international conference

An Otago academic is at the helm of an international conference for scholars of the history of science.

School of Social Sciences Honorary Associate Professor Hugh Slotten says a key aim of this event is to avoid the Eurocentric viewpoint and explore the global history of science.

Hugh is one of two academics to be awarded a 2026 Gordon Cain Conference Fellowship with the Science History Institute in Philadelphia, United States. He says it is an honour to be selected alongside Professor Bernard Lightman at York University in Toronto, Canada to plan and organise the 2026 Gordon Cain Conference.

In co-operation with staff at the Science History Institute, Hugh and Bernard have set the theme ‘The Global History of Modern Science, 1400–1914’ for the conference that will run from 6 – 7 August 2026 in Philadelphia.

Hugh explains that the starting date of 1400 reflects the beginning of the era of "modern" science and the end date of 1914 is significant as the end of WWI.

“Through this conference we will seek to address the major issues involved in understanding how modern science has been created through a process of global cultural exchange, as opposed to a prevailing Eurocentric-based viewpoint,” Hugh says.

“The creation and sites of key scientific theories, and the communication and translation of scientific ideas will also be important topics.”

The conference will result in a major book on the global history of science that will serve as an important reference source on the topic. Participants from around the world are writing the chapters, which will be presented at the conference.

Hugh’s award includes funding for up to a maximum of US$35,000 to cover travel and lodging for select speakers, with costs paid directly by the Institute.

Hugh has had an illustrious career in both the United States and New Zealand, including as Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum. Last year he held the Chair in the Local Organising Committee for the 27th International Congress of History of Science and Technology, held in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

His most recent book Beyond Sputnik and the Space Race: The Origins of Global Satellite Communications explores the development of the first global satellite communication system (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2022) and was awarded the 2022 Eugene M. Emme Astronautical Book Award.

Otago History programme Professor John Stenhouse, who is also an expert in the history of science, has been invited to deliver the conference’s keynote public lecture. John’s research explores interconnections between science, religion, politics, race and gender in the modern world.

Read more about the 2026 Gordon Cain Conference.