HSTM Network Ireland

Call for Entries

IUHPST Essay Prize in History and Philosophy of Science

Submission deadline: 15 January 2023

The International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUHPST) invites submissions for the 2023 IUHPST Essay Prize in History and Philosophy of Science. This biennial prize competition seeks to encourage fresh methodological thinking on the history and philosophy of science and related areas.

This year’s prize question is inspired by the theme of the 17th International Congress on Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science and Technology, “Science and Values in an Uncertain World.” Current global challenges such as the pandemic and climate change are pervaded by epistemic and material risks. Science plays an increasing role in policy and personal decisions, yet its application is sometimes contested. We therefore invite entries, in the form of an essay of 5,000–10,000 words written in English, addressing the question: “How can history and philosophy of science, technology, and medicine help us to understand and evaluate the role of values in science?” This question may be interpreted broadly.  Submitters are encouraged to specify what kinds of values are in question.

All entries should consist of original work that has not previously been published. Entries written originally in another language should be submitted in English translation, along with the name and contact details of the translator. Entries will be judged on the following criteria, in addition to general academic quality: direct engagement with the prize question, effective integration of historical and philosophical perspectives, and potential to provide methodological guidance for other researchers in the field.

The author of the winning entry will be invited to present the work at the CLMPST in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 24–29 July 2023. Presenting at the Congress will be a condition of the award.

The award will carry a cash prize of 1,000 US dollars and a waiver of the Congress registration fee.

Other strong entries will also be considered for presentation at the Congress. In order to ensure this consideration, entrants should submit the entry also as a standalone paper abstract for the Congress by the deadline for that (December 15, 2022), following the standard instructions indicated on the Congress website: https://clmpst2023.dc.uba.ar/callforpapers

Entries are invited from anyone, without restriction of age, nationality, or academic status. Co-authored work will be considered; if the winning entry is a co-authored work the cash prize will be shared out among the authors.

This prize is administered by the Joint Commission of the IUHPST, whose remit is to make links between the work of the two Divisions of the IUHPST: the DHST (Division of History of Science and Technology) and the DLMPST (Division of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science and Technology). For further information about IUHPST, see: http://iuhpst.org/

Entries for the prize competition should be submitted in pdf format by e-mail to the Chair of the Joint Commission, Dr. Agnes Bolinska, Department of Philosophy, University of South Carolina (bolinska@mailbox.sc.edu). Any queries should also be directed to her. The deadline for submission is 15 January 2023.