Chair History and philosophy of sciences

The Chair History and Philosophy of Sciences answers the need for a cross-disciplinary and university-wide education in History and Philosophy of Sciences by means of an annual series of invited lectures.

The academic chair was initiated in 2013 by the scientists Cécile Casterman and Raymond Hamers, who in the late 1980s persisted in investigating ongoing research on antibodies in their lab and then discovered a new class of antibodies in camelid species: the alpaca antibody.

Raymond Hamers about the Chair Casterman-Hamers - History and Philosophy of Sciences

"There is a lack in our academic curriculum about history and philosophy of sciences. Yet, this is a crucial bridge for transdisciplinary learning and mutual understanding. We wanted to do something about this since we need that historical framework when talking about science. Take the atomic theory for instance, which already existed as a conceptual concept with the Greeks, with the atom as the smallest particle of a matter. History is not about a chronological overview of events, but rather about the evolution of scientific ideas.”

The program is developed by Crosstalks, in close collaboration with the chair holder and the founders. As of 2021, the chair holder is appointed for a period of three years. Be prepared to free your inner llama with lawyer and philosopher Mireille Hildebrandt. As the chair holder for the period 2021-2023, she will focus on academic lectures and research initiatives. In close collaboration with her, Crosstalks continues to involve university wide researchers and non-academic local partners, as well as collaborations on topical themes through cultural activities.