Research in history of science and technology covers the 19^th and 20^th centuries with a focus on the physical sciences, that is, physics, chemistry, astronomy and atmospheric, climate and environmental sciences in the history of science and energy and environmental technologies in the history of technology.

Collaborative Research projects and activities

Exploring Greenland: Science and Technology in Cold War Settings

The project has the goal to investigate the development of research activities in the geophysical sciences and in nuclear technology in Greenland in the Cold War period. It is funded by the Carlsberg Foundation and runs from 2010 to 2013. For more information see here.

Researchers: Matthias Heymann, Henry Nielsen, Kristian Hvidtfelt Nielsen, Henrik Knudsen, Christopher Jakob Ries, Janet Nielsen.

Recent epistemic shifts in the physical and mathematical sciences

In recent decades new approaches to obtain knowledge have had significant epistemic impacts on parts of the physical and mathematical sciences. Examples investigated at the department are higher speculations in cosmology (Helge Kragh), the impact of computer simulation on the atmospheric sciences (Matthias Heymann, Nils Randlev Hundebøl) and experimental mathematics (Henrik Kragh Sørensen, see history of mathematics).

Researchers working in history of science and technology include:

• Helge Kragh, Professor: Early quantum atomic models; history of the periodic system; contemporary speculative cosmologies; northern light research
• Henry Nielsen, Emeritus associate professor: History of nuclear energy technologies, technology and art
• Matthias Heymann, Associate Professor: History of atmospheric and climate science, energy technologies, engineering sciences, environmental history
• Keld Nielsen, Associate Professor: science in the 18. and 19. century
• Kristian Hvidtfelt Nielsen, Associate Professor: science communication, history of popular science, history of scientific fieldwork and expeditions
• Kurt Møller Petersen, Associate Professor: History of astronomy, history of optics
• Henrik Knudsen, Postdoc: Measuring the heavens: Cold War and ionospheric research in Greenland
• Christopher Jakob Ries, Postdoc: Exploring the rocks: Greenland geology during the Cold War
• Janet Nielsen, Postdoc: Studying the ice: Cold War and Glaciological research in Greenland
• Nils R. Hundebøl, PhD student: PhD project on scientific practice and standards in the history of climate modeling 
• Dania Achermann, PhD student: PhD project on the history of atmospheric science 
• Lif Lund Jacobsen, Postdoc: Danish-American seismological ventures in Greenland during the Cold War

The research group in history of mathematics specializes on mathematics since the 17th century. Their research centers on cognitive and contextual aspects of pure and applied mathematics in the 19th and 20th century and includes such issues as the effects of regional contexts on the practice of mathematics, the transformations in analysis, geometry and algebra during the long 19th century, and the impact of new methods of proof on mathematics of the late 20th century.

Researchers working on history of mathematics include:

Henrik Kragh Sørensen, Associate professor: Abel’s mathematics, rise of concept-centred mathematics, mathematics in Scandinavia, experimental mathematics.

Connected to the group are also:

Ida Stamhuis, Honorary professor. Editor in Chief of the journal Centaurus.

Kirsti Andersen, Emeritus associate professor

Henk Bos, Honorary professor

The department’s research in philosophy of science covers philosophy of science and ethics broadly, but has a special focus on philosophy of science in practice and on integrated history and philosophy of science.

Collaborative Research projects and activities

The research group on Philosophy of Contemporary Science in Practice has received funding for a 4-year project to investigate the development of new research areas and new research practices in contemporary science. As part of the project the department expects to host two workshops in 2011 and 2012 and a conference in 2013.

Researchers working on philosophy of science include:

• Hanne Andersen, Associate professor: Interdisciplinarity, scientific change, emergence of new research areas, cognitive studies of science, social epistemology
• Henrik Kragh Sørensen, Associate professor: Philosophy of mathematical practice, in particular experimental mathematics
• Louis Klostergaard, Teaching assistant professor: PhD project on bioethical issues related to stem cell research and problems concerning enhancement
• Samuel Schindler, Associate professor: Explanation, theory appraisal, theory-ladenness
• Susann Wagenknecht, PhD student: PhD project on the character of collaboration among scientists in interdisciplinary and emerging fields of contemporary research
• Sara Green, PhD student: PhD project on the emergence of new research fields related to biochemistry (starting August 2010)
• Brian Hepburn, Postdoc: Explanation, interdisciplinary problem solving
• Mads Goddiksen, PhD student: Explanations in nanoscience
• Douglas Allchin, guest professor: Error, Nature of science, science education

Connected to the group are also

• Mieke Boon, Associate professor, University of Twente. Mieke Boon is visiting the department in February-March and September-October 2010.