This DK program funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) combines historical, philosophical and cultural studies of the sciences in international and transnational context and brings together the natural sciences and mathematics with the humanities in a common, focused curriculum. The aim of the program is the development and coordinated discussion of research in history, philosophy and cultural studies of the sciences, as well as the acquisition of skills needed for later professional success.

The program builds upon the Initiativkolleg entitled “The Sciences in Historical Context”, which was funded internally by the University of Vienna from 2006 to 2010, and upon experience acquired during the first period of FWF support from 2010 to 2014. Faculty members come from History, Philosophy, Physics, Life Sciences, and Mathematics. Central features of the program are: a structured curriculum including intensive conceptual and research seminars; interdisciplinary discussion and academic guidance in the weekly Colloquium; one semester of required study or research visits outside Austria; and, most importantly, joint supervision of dissertations by a historian or philosopher and a natural scientist or mathematician, so far as this is feasible. 

Speaker: o. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Mitchell G. Ash, Department of History, University of Vienna