The HPS Podcast - Conversations from History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science

"In response to that article, I was getting hate mail. I was getting attacked. I thought, these people have a script. This is a story that people need to understand. This isn't just something of academic interest. This is something that has real political and cultural consequences."Today's very special guest is acclaimed historian of science, Professor Naomi Oreskes, author of Merchants of Doubt, Science on a Mission and her most recent book with long time collaborator Erik Conway – The Big Myth – all about understanding the rise of free-market fundamentalism.Naomi discusses what lead her shift from exploration geologist to historian and philosopher of science, as well as her somewhat accidental pathway into public discussions on pressing concerns such as climate change, trust in science, and the escalation of misinformation in the public realm.Naomi also introduces us to the fascinating field of agnotology – the study of socially constructed ignorance. While Naomi has often written about ignorance or doubt that was deliberately cultivated by bad faith actors, she also emphasises the importance of studying ‘inadvertent ignorance.’  This is when the attention of researchers becomes focussed on certain sets of issues and not others, not due to malevolent aims, but rather due to background assumptions, commitments and even funding sources. Of course, our attention can’t be directed everywhere at once, but it is the inevitability and pervasiveness of such ‘directive forces’ that makes studying them so important.Transcript at: www.hpsunimelb.org/post/s4-ep-7-naomi-oreskes-on-writing-on-ignoranceRelevant links:Naomi Oreskes | Department of the History of Science, Harvard University'Merchants of Doubt' | Naomi Oreskes | ABC listen'Why we should trust scientists' | Naomi Oreskes | TED YouTube‘Science on a Mission’ | Naomi Oreskes | Science NewsExcerpt from ‘The Big Myth’ | Oreskes & Conway | Harvard GazetteFifteen Questions: Naomi Oreskes on Climate Change Denial, Apolitical Scientists, and Her Favorite Rocks | Magazine | The Harvard CrimsonThanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

"Doing the thing is not the whole thing, it's also the sharing it with the audiences who either need it or are simply interested in it...science isn't finished until it's communicated"Our guest today is Associate Professor Jen Martin. Jen leads the University of Melbourne’s acclaimed Science Communication Teaching program and is passionate about helping scientists develop the skills they need to be visible, to make connections and to have impact.As well as teaching, Jen is a prolific communicator of science. Over the last 18 years her voice has become a familiar companion to many as she talks weekly about science on Melbourne radio, and co-hosts the fun and highly informative ‘Let’s Talk SciComm’ podcast. In today’s episode, Jen shows us how communicating science in inclusive and non-elitist ways is not an ‘optional extra’ to research, but rather a fundamental part of the process, with its own set of teachable skills. A full transcript of the episode can be accessed here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/s4-ep-5-jen-martin-on-communicating-scienceRelevant Links:A/Prof Jen Martin | The University of MelbourneDr Jen Martin | Personal website (scidocmartin.com)Let's Talk SciComm Podcast | Spotify Science Communication Program | The University of MelbourneEpisode edited by Samara Greenwood and Grace MartinThanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

Today our guest presenter Thomas Spiteri is joined by Professor Edouard Machery, Distinguished Professor in the University of Pittsburgh’s HPS department and director of the Center for Philosophy of Science.Edouard, a leading figure in experimental philosophy (X-Phi), shares insights into the X-Phi movement, which integrates empirical methods into philosophical inquiry. He discusses the limitations of traditional philosophical methods, particularly the use of intuitions, and explains how X-Phi broadens the tools available to philosophers.Reflecting on the evolution of X-Phi, Edouard talks about its future direction and the need to balance empirical research with philosophical rigor, while cautioning against the risk of the field becoming too isolated from broader philosophical discussions.A full transcript of the episode can be accessed here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/s4-ep-4-edouard-machery-on-experimental-philosophy  Relevant Links:Edouard Machery | Personal WebsiteEdouard Machery | hps.pitt.eduEdouard Machery | phil.papersThe Center for Philosophy of ScienceYou can find Conversations at the Center on YouTube and SpotifyExperimental Philosophy OverviewAdditional Resources:Gettier Cases Explained Experimental Philosophy and IntuitionsThanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

Today Carmelina is joined by Dr Darrin Durant a Senior Lecturer in HPS at the University of Melbourne specialising in Science and Technology studies. Darrin's research covers two seemingly distinct areas: nuclear energy and expertise. Yet nuclear energy and other contested public policy issues are informed by experts on both sides of the debate.  As Darrin explains in today’s episode, there are different types of expertise and we must learn to better judge who is, and who isn’t an expert. Using real-world case studies, Darrin discusses the problems around creating public policy where conflicting scientific evidence or scientific uncertainty exists. By understanding how conflicting positions are treated when differing expert opinions arise and by understanding the different types of expertise at play, Darrin argues that policymakers and the public are better equipped to make active judgements about the experts involved and the contentious issues under discussion.  Transcript available here (links to an external site)Relevant Links:Profile: Darrin Durant | HPS | University of MelbourneBooks:Experts and the Will of the People | Collins, Evans, Durant & WeinelThe Crisis of Expertise | EyalMerchants of Doubt | Oreskes & ConwayImpure Science | EpsteinVanishing Bees | Suryanarayanan & KleinmanBook Chapters:The Undead Linear Model of Expertise | DurantMisunderstood Misunderstandings | WynneThanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

This episode forms Part 2 of our extended interview with the celebrated historian of science, and master communicator, Professor Simon Schaffer.Today, we continue to focus our discussion on the book Simon co-wrote with Steven Shapin in the early 1980s, Leviathan and the Air-Pump. Simon reveals fascinating insights into the production of the book, including his many deep dives into rare books collections, as well as the back and forth of typewritten pages between Simon in London and Steven in Edinburgh. Simon also talks about the rise to prominence of the publication, highlighting the crucial role of other well known HPS figures. At the end of the interview, Simon offers a series of reflections on the future of our wonderful field. A full transcript of the episode can be accessed here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/s4-ep-3-simon-schaffer-on-leviathan-and-the-air-pump-40-years-later-part-2 Relevant links:Leviathan and the Air-Pump | Princeton University PressIntroduction to the 2011 Edition of Leviathan and the Air-PumpSimon Schaffer (cambridge.uk)Steven Shapin (harvard.edu)Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

This episode is the first of two in which the celebrated Professor of History of Science, Simon Schaffer, discusses the famous HPS publication, Leviathan and the Air-Pump: Hobbes, Boyle and the Experimental Life, which Simon co-wrote with another esteemed HPS scholar, Steven Shapin, in the early 1980s. The book went on to become one of the most well-known across both HPS and STS, with next year marking 40 years since its first release.In todays episode, Simon discusses his own academic story, introduces us to the books main themes and aims, and muses on why it was this particular publication became so well known. Simon is also a delightful, scholarly communicator, so enjoy listening and remember to tune in again next week for the equally entertaining second half.Transcript available here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/s4-ep-2-simon-schaffer-on-leviathan-and-the-air-pump-40-years-later-part-1 Relevant links:Leviathan and the Air-Pump | Princeton University PressIntroduction the the 2011 Edition of Leviathan and the Air-PumpSimon Schaffer (cam.ac.uk)Steven Shapin (harvard.edu)Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

Welcome back to The HPS Podcast for Season 4.In today's episode, Carmelina and Samara touch on a variety of topics, but a core theme is 'how we study science through the lens of the humanities'. Both Sam and Carmelina believe the skills and perspectives developed through disciplines such as history, sociology, and philosophy are crucial to resolving many of today's problems. So, it is incredibly sad that they continue to be undervalued by many. We hope The HPS Podcast - in its own small way - contributes to a broader appreciation of the richness and value of the humanities approach. Also - make sure to listen to the end for some fun outtakes from the recording of this episode!Transcript available here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/s4-ep-1-sam-and-carmelina-on-studying-humanities-and-scienceRelevant links include:S3 Ep 11 - Uljana Feest on 'What is Missing in Replication Debates'S3 Ep 9 - Emma Kowal on 'Haunting Biology'S3 Ep 1 - Lorraine Daston & Peter Harrison on 'Scientists and History'Expanding the Community: Public Engagement and The HPS Podcast The Problem of Context Revisited: Moving beyond the resources model4S Conference 2024Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

We are pleased to bring you a special five episode podcast series Working Fathers created by Professor in HPS Cordelia Fine, political philosopher Associate Professor Dan Halliday, social psychologist, Dr Melissa Wheeler and historian Dr Annabelle Baldwin. What’s next for Australian fathers? In this final episode of the mini-series, we look at the future of fatherhood. So far, one thing all our guests seem to agree on is that, for many families, current arrangements aren’t working as well as they could. Expectations on men as fathers are expanding, but without much of a lessening of demands from employers. As people have children later, these demographic shifts mean that families will be less likely to be able to depend on grandparents to help out. In short, policies, practices and norms need to continue to evolve to support the needs of working dads and their families and move us towards more equal opportunities to share care, access more flexible work, and achieve greater family wellbeing.Special guests for this episode are:Professor Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology & Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab at the University of Melbourne.  Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy, Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Lecturer in Family History at the University of Tasmania.Associate Professor Lee Gettler, Director of the Hormones, Health, and Human Behavior Laboratory at Notre Dame.A full transcript for the episode can be found here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/working-fathers-mini-series-ep-5-what-s-nextThe Working Fathers Podcast was funded by the Faculty of Arts and the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. The creators of the podcast are also very grateful for the support of external partners, the Women’s Leadership Institute of Australia and the Trawalla Foundation.Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

We are pleased to bring you a special five episode podcast series Working Fathers created by Professor in HPS Cordelia Fine, political philosopher Associate Professor Dan Halliday, social psychologist, Dr Melissa Wheeler and historian Dr Annabelle Baldwin. In Episode 4, Give Dads a Break, we look at more of the pressures that prevent fathers from being active and equal caregivers in their children’s lives. In particular, we look at the gender norms that dictate what it means to be a good man, and the social norms that dictate what it means to be a good worker – and ask what this means for fathers’ capacity to be more active caregivers in their children’s lives. We also look at the experiences of men who defy these norms, the policies that can help shift them, as well as some of the potential benefits of change for dads, partners and families.Special guests for this episode are:Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy, Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Lecturer in Family History at the University of Tasmania, Joint Editor of Studies in Oral History.Professor Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab at the University of Melbourne.   Professor Miranda Stewart, Professor of Law at the University of Melbourne and Fellow at the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at the Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University. A full transcript for the episode can be found here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/working-fathers-mini-series-ep-4-give-dad-s-a-breakThe Working Fathers Podcast was funded by the Faculty of Arts and the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. The creators of the podcast are also very grateful for the support of external partners, the Women’s Leadership Institute of Australia and the Trawalla Foundation.Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org

We are pleased to bring you a special five episode podcast series Working Fathers created by Professor in HPS Cordelia Fine, political philosopher Associate Professor Dan Halliday, social psychologist, Dr Melissa Wheeler and historian Dr Annabelle Baldwin.How much freedom do fathers have? Do fathers have real choices about how to divide their time between paid work and caring for the kids at home? Where do government and organisational policies fit in? One of the major societal changes of the past century has been the rise of female employment, particularly in the peak child rearing years.  Over the same period, there has been much less change in men’s employment rates. Why hasn’t the rise in women’s employment been accompanied by a drop in men’s employment? Why is part-time work still so much less common among men than it is among women? One answer is that these patterns are just the product of free choices. But choices are never made in a vacuum, and freedom of choice comes in degrees. In this episode, we look at the laws, policies, and organisational practices that constrain dads’ choices.Special guests for this episode are:Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy, Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Lecturer in Family History at the University of Tasmania.Professor Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab at the University of Melbourne.   Professor Miranda Stewart, Professor of Law at the University of Melbourne and Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University. A full transcript for the episode can be found here: https://www.hpsunimelb.org/post/working-fathers-mini-series-ep-3-are-fathers-free The Working Fathers Podcast was funded by the Faculty of Arts and the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. The creators of the podcast are also very grateful for the support of external partners, the Women’s LeadershThanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.  This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.Music by ComaStudio. Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org