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

HPSUniMelb.org
Philosophy Of Science
Isaac Newton
Historical Figures
Collaboration In Science
Well-Being Science
Archival Practices
Digital Humanities
Indigenous Genomics
Covid-19
History Of Science
Causal Explanation
Causation
Royal Society
Research Collaboration
Scientific Disagreement
Colonialism
Open Science
Metaphors In Science
Public Scientific Controversies
Family

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes75Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureSciencePhilosophy

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Artwork for The HPS Podcast

Latest Episodes

This week, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Steven Shapin, Professor Emeritus of the History of Science at Harvard. Shapin reflects on his path into the history and sociology of science and discusses the central concerns of his work: how knowledge is produ... more

This week, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Professor Cordelia Fine — psychologist, award-winning writer, and professor in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne. Cordelia is one of today’s leading voices on how science and so... more

This week, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Professor Miriam Solomon, Professor of Philosophy at Temple University and a leading voice in philosophy of science, medicine, and psychiatry.

Solomon reflects on her intellectual trajectory, from her early stud... more

This week, Thomas Spiteri speaks with Professor Philip Kitcher, John Dewey Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University and one of the most influential philosophers of science of the past half-century.

Kitcher traces his intellectual jour... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Cordelia Fine
Professor of Psychology and author, examining gender inequality within workplace structures
University of Melbourne
Episode: S5 E10 - Cordelia Fine on "Patriarchy Inc"
Miriam Solomon
Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Temple University, focusing on philosophy of psychiatry and stigma.
Temple University
Episode: S5 E9 - Miriam Solomon on How Stigma Shapes Psychiatry
Lydia Patton
Philosopher of science and historian of the philosophy of science, former editor-in-chief of Hopos Journal
Hopos Journal, University of Melbourne
Episode: S5 E7 - Lydia Patton on HOPOS
Sarah Blaffer Hrdy
Pioneering primatologist and evolutionary anthropologist
Author of Father Time, A Natural History of Men and Babies
Episode: S5 E6 - Sarah Blaffer Hrdy on ‘Rethinking our Starting Assumptions’
Cristian Larroulet-Philippi
Inaugural Seddon Fellow in the history and philosophy of science program
University of Melbourne
Episode: S5 E5 - Cristian Larroulet Philippi on Measurement in the Human Sciences
Heather Douglas
Leading philosopher of science and professor at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Episode: S5 E4 - Heather Douglas on Rethinking Science’s Social Contract
Hans-Jörg Rheinberger
Director Emeritus at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Episode: S5 E3 - Hans-Jörg Rheinberger on 'Epistemic Things'
Surekha Davies
A historian of science, art, and ideas, and a self-described monster consultant.
University of California Press
Episode: S5 E2 - Surekha Davies on Humans: A Monstrous History
Dr. Rachael Brown
Philosopher of biology and director for the Centre for Philosophy of the Sciences at the Australian National University
Australian National University
Episode: Audience Faves: Rachael Brown on 'Values in Science'

Hosts

Thomas Spiteri
Host of the podcast, with a focus on exploring the intersections in history, philosophy, and social studies of science. He has experience in guiding discussions that make complex topics accessible to a wider audience.
Samara Greenwood
Co-host and producer, involved in bringing accessible dialogue on contemporary philosophical topics to the audience. Samara has prior experience contributing significantly to the growth of the show.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • Excellent PD!

    I tutor and teach physics at a high school down to primary school level. This expands my perspective, and helps me from tunnel visioning on the techniques of science.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steam Bun Invasion
    Australiaa year ago
  • Intelligent, universal, thoughtful

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ekrapil
    a year ago
  • Fantastic podcast!

    As a practicing scientist with no formal background in philosophy, this has become my introductory crash course into HPS as it is today. Almost every episode has had a lightbulb moment for me, offering an eye-opening new perspective on issues I deal with and think about all the time, and several have directly driven my increasingly serious interest in incorporating HPS into my scientific work. Thank you & keep it up Samara & team!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mmars627
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many praise the podcast for bridging the gap between philosophy and current social issues, making academic discussions feel relevant and engaging.
Listeners appreciate the scholarly depth and accessibility of discussions, often finding eye-opening revelations in various topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#72
South Korea/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S5 E11 - Steven Shapin on the Social Life of Scientific Knowledge
Q: Do you see this shift from personal relationships to bureaucratic institutions in science as losing something important?
Yes, the integration of science into business and government has created credibility challenges, altering the landscape of scientific authority.
S5 E11 - Steven Shapin on the Social Life of Scientific Knowledge
Q: In today's digital world, do scientists still have to perform credibility? What does that performance look like now?
Yes, the digital age has changed how credibility is performed, making face-to-face interactions and personal advocacy more valuable.
S5 E11 - Steven Shapin on the Social Life of Scientific Knowledge
Q: Could you talk a bit about how you found your way originally into the field of history and sociology of science?
I fell into the field by accident after drifting through early interests in science and politics but discovering the history of science as an academic discipline during my work in science policy.
S5 E10 - Cordelia Fine on "Patriarchy Inc"
Q: How do you see the strengths and limits of each approach (evolutionary psychology and cultural evolution)?
Fine highlights that while evolutionary psychology offers insights, it often fails to explain the complexity of gender divisions due to overly generalized assumptions.
S5 E10 - Cordelia Fine on "Patriarchy Inc"
Q: What drew you to this project, and how do you see it connecting to your earlier works?
Cordelia Fine explains her frustration with mainstream narratives about gender equality, asserting they are misguided and fail to address the core issues.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The HPS Podcast

What is The HPS Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intersections of history, philosophy, and social studies in science, this series features conversations with leading scholars who illuminate contemporary issues for a broader audience. Topics often address pressing social concerns, such as gender equality, stigma in psychiatry, and the ethical implications of scientific practices. Unique to the series is the focus on how philosophical perspectives shape scientific discourse, helping listeners understand not only the history of scientific thought but also its relevance to current societal challenges. By bridging academic insights with engaging discussions, the content serves both educational and practical purposes, making it a valuable resource for professionals and enthusiasts... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The HPS Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The HPS Podcast:

1. Philosopher's Zone
2. Philosophy Bites
3. What's Left of Philosophy
4. Overthink
5. New Books in Critical Theory

How many episodes of The HPS Podcast are there?

The HPS Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 75 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The HPS Podcast?

Recent guests on The HPS Podcast include:

1. Cordelia Fine
2. Miriam Solomon
3. Lydia Patton
4. Sarah Blaffer Hrdy
5. Cristian Larroulet-Philippi
6. Heather Douglas
7. Hans-Jörg Rheinberger
8. Surekha Davies

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