SCIENCE IN 1970: A TRANSNATIONAL HISTORY OF FIFTY YEARS AGO

How should we remember science in the year 1970? Fifty years ago Earth Day was first celebrated; the WMO Global Program of Atmospheric Research started; the Ancash earthquake happened in Peru; a Symposium on Antarctic Ice and Water Masses took place in Tokyo (Japan); the Apollo 13 failed to land on the moon; Costa Rica established a national park system; China’s estimated aid to North Vietnam amounted to 200 million dollars; and the Non-Proliferation Treaty entered into force. These and many other science-related events reconfigured relations between nations, bilaterally and multilaterally (and between Global North and South), also connecting to projects for political hegemony and economic development. Their narration thus presents key challenges, especially in terms of reconstructing transnational interactions in science often overlooked in historical work focussing on one country (or one world region).

This innovative session aims to meet these challenges through an unconventional format. Speakers from across the world will offer 5-minute presentations in a virtual two-hour tour from the far east to the far west that will connect scholars and historical events in distant places. Their presentations will corral a new transnational narrative about science in 1970 (also informing the writing of a co-authored paper to submit to a history of science journal).

This session is from the By the DHST Commission on Science, Technology and Diplomacy. Further details on the speakers and the presentations will be available soon on the Commission website. https://diplomacy.science.blog/