S5 E2 - Surekha Davies on Humans: A Monstrous History
Today on The HPS Podcast, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Dr. Surekha Davies, historian of science, art and ideas, and author of the new book Humans: A Monstrous History (University of California Press). Surekha’s research explores how ideas about humanity have been shaped by encounters with what did not seem to fit. She draws on visual, material and textual sources to show how people have imagined and defined the human across time.In this episode, Surekha:Traces her path into HPS, from Star Trek dreams to Renaissance studiesExplains why visual and material sources are crucial to understanding early modern scienceIntroduces her book Humans: A Monstrous HistoryTell us about how monstrosity functioned as an epistemic tool for organising knowledge and drawing conceptual boundariesExamines how these ideas influenced concepts of gender, race and empireIf you’ve ever wondered how the strange and unfamiliar shaped science, culture, and our understanding of humanity, this episode is for you.Relevant Links: Surekha Davies WebsiteHumans: A Monstrous History ((University of California Press, 2025)Renaissance Ethnography and the Invention of the Human: New Worlds, Maps and Monsters (Cambridge University Press, 2016).Transcript coming soon.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
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19:37
S5 E1 - Samara and Thomas: Reflections and Roads Ahead
After a short break, The HPS Podcast is back! Season 5 opens with a special handover episode. After several years as lead host, Samara Greenwood passes the mic to fellow PhD candidate Thomas Spiteri. Together, they look back on the podcast’s journey, what it has meant to them, and where it’s headed next.Hear from Samara and Thomas as they:Introduce Thomas as the new host and share plans for Season 5Reflect on hosting highlights and lessons learnedDiscuss insights from the 10th Integrated HPS Conference at Caltech (2025)Explore what it means to do integrated HPSWrap up with a lightning round on favourite concepts, research obsessions, and booksPlus, some exciting news: The HPS Podcast has received the 2024 BSHS Ayrton Prize for Public Engagement! Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are tuning in for the first time, this episode sets the stage for an exciting new season. We thank you for joining us!Relevant LinksThe HPS Podcast Website | hpsunimelb.orgBSHS Ayrton Prize – Public EngagementIntegrated HPS Conference 2024 – CaltechSamara Greenwood – University of MelbourneMusic by ComaStudio.Transcript coming soon.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
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Audience Faves: Daston & Harrison on 'Scientists and History'
In the lead up to the launch of Season 5, we at The HPS Podcast are re-releasing some favourite episodes from our collection.In this episode Professors Lorraine Daston and Peter Harrison talk to Samara Greenwood on the often complex, sometimes fraught relationship between practicing scientists and the history of science. This episode was originally released on March 07, 2024.The transcript can be found at - S3 Ep1 - Lorraine Daston & Peter Harrison TranscriptThanks 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
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30:57
Audience Faves: Rachael Brown on 'Values in Science'
In the lead up to the launch of Season 5, we at The HPS Podcast are re-releasing some favourite episodes from our collection.In this episode we have Dr Rachael Brown talking to Samara Greenwood on challenge the common idea that Science is (and should be) 'Value-Free'. At a practical level, in choosing which phenomena to study, and how best to study them, can science really ever be value-free? Second, would we want it to, even if it could? Isn't it possible that, if used appropriately, values provide a beneficial component of the scientific process.This episode was originally released on July 13, 2023.The transcript can be found at - S1 Ep 7 - Rachael Brown on 'Values in Science'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
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Audience Faves: Hasok Chang on 'Epistemic Iteration'
In the lead up to the launch of Season 5, we at The HPS Podcast are re-releasing some favourite episodes from our collection.In this episode, Professor Hasok Chang talks with Samara Greenwood about his concept of 'Epistemic Iteration', the idea that scientific inquiries do not start from a solid foundation, but rather begin from an imperfect position, using the outcomes of our further inquiry to refine and correct the original starting point.This episode was originally released on December 4, 2023.The transcript can be found at - Hasok Chang Transcript - S2 Ep 11___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
About The HPS Podcast - Conversations from History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science
Leading scholars in History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science (HPS) introduce contemporary topics for a general audience. Developed by graduate students from the HPS program at the University of Melbourne. Lead Hosts: Thomas Spiteri (2025) and Samara Greenwood (2023-2024). Season Five is now here! Episodes released weekly.More information on the podcast can be found at hpsunimelb.org
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