New project: Illustrated book by James Beattie

One of our Centre for Science in Society staff, James Beattie, with Richard Bullen and Maria Galikowski, has edited a book just published by Routledge in 2019, China in Australasia: Cultural Diplomacy and Chinese Arts since the Cold War. I knew James had published a book, but I didn’t know much about it until coming […]

Spotlight on the table of elements

We become familiar with the periodic table of elements in school. The shape and layout is instantly recognisable. How often though do we stop to think about what the table represents? Or its history? Dmitry Mendeleev organised the chemical elements into this structure 150 years ago. Now, Courtney Addison from the Centre for Science in […]

Call for papers: Finding New Zealand’s Scientific Heritage

Venue: Victoria University of Wellington Date: 23-24 November 2015 2015 is a significant year for New Zealand science history. It is 150 years since James Hector arrived in Wellington to set up many of our national science organisations and 100 years since Ernest Marsden arrived in Wellington. In 1865 Hector was appointed head of the […]

A very cold classroom

In Norway, they say there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Back home in New Zealand, I wouldn’t tolerate giving a lecture in minus 8 degrees C – or minus 17 if you take the windchill into account. But down here at Scott Base, that’s just fine, because I’m dressed for the […]

Citizen science, outreach, history of science communication: we’re looking for summer scholars!

Applications for Victoria University of Wellington summer scholarships are open! Summer scholarships offer students (third year or above) $6000 along with valuable research experience for projects running over the summer. Information on how to apply is here – applications are due on 1 October. Here are the projects we’re involved in this year. Please contact […]

History of science in New Zealand, 2015 conference

Where: Victoria University of Wellington When: 23-24 November, 2015 2015 is a significant year for New Zealand science history: it is 150years since James Hector arrived in Wellington to set up many of our national science organisations; and 100 years since Ernest Marsden arrived in Wellington to join Victoria College. In 1865 Hector was appointed […]