Inaugural lecture of Professor Richard Staley

The Department of Science Education at the University of Copenhagen and the Niels Bohr Archive are pleased to invite you to the inaugural lecture of Richard Staley, Professor of History of Science. Since his appointment, Staley has divided his time between the University of Cambridge and the University of Copenhagen.

Title and abstract

Title:
"Classics in the making? Periods, paradigms and archives in physics and the climate sciences."

Abstract:
Why do we think of Niels Bohr’s work as a paradigmatic example of ‘modern’ and not ‘classical’ physics? And what kind of archives – natural and social – do we need to understand the past (and future) of the earth’s climate?

This talk considers the roles of periods, paradigms and archives in the work of physicists and geophysicists such as Bohr, Willi Dansgaard and Nick Shackleton to identify ways historians might help the physical sciences face the future.

Programme

Practical information

The event is jointly hosted by the Department of Science Education and the Niels Bohr Archive and will be held at the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) at Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø.

The doors are opened at 12:45 to NBI’s historic institute building (building C), where the lecture will take place in Auditorium A on the first floor (room 02-0-Ca3). After the lecture, a reception will be held, and refreshments will be served in Auditorium C (room 02-0-Ca10), located right across the hall.

The nearest metro station is "Trianglen". Bus 1A has two stops in the immediate vicinity of the venue: "Irmingersgade" and "Rigshospitalet Hovedindgang". Public parking is available at Blegdamsvej. A taxi stand can be found in front of the main entrance to Rigshospitalet at Blegdamsvej. Please note that the historic building, unfortunately, is not barrier-free. Don't hesitate to get in touch with the organizers in advance in case you require assistance.